Chapter 45: 45 Clearance Sale

Joe Ga took a liking to a white Agusta AW109 at first glance. It was a decades-old medical rescue helicopter, with medical equipment inside, as well as many electronic instruments that were incomprehensible to him. However, it was clear that those things were no longer usable. According to the parameter readings from the Omnipotent Toolbox's detection system, this aircraft was an old creation from the '80s, had undergone two major overhauls, and had its rotor blades recently replaced. However, the engine's efficiency was only 70% of its original and the avionics system was also having some issues. But as many as the problems were, its advantage was also very clear, that was, it was cheap! A brand-new Agusta AW109 wouldn't leave you even qualified to ask the price without seven million US Dollars, but this AW109 was only two hundred thousand US Dollars. For an additional twenty thousand US Dollars, the technical officer from the Army Aviation would give it a thorough maintenance and throw in a set of brand-new exterior paint, guaranteeing it'd look just like new as long as you didn't open the cabin doors. Of course, Joe Ga was certain they were ripping him off, because if they didn't get the helicopter in good shape, the chances were high that it'd crash even before they could fly it out for delivery. Army transactions were 'brutally' straightforward and never beat around the bush. Once they realized Joe Ga was interested in the Agusta, the hangar manager immediately had the aircraft towed out, started it up, and let Joe Ga have a comprehensive experience. Joe Ga just sat in the cockpit for a while and felt that this thing was still worth it. Although the engine was a little loud and vibration was quite severe, the airframe structure was intact, with no serious damage, especially since the rotor blades were still 80% new. Just buying a set of rotor blades on the open market would cost more than two hundred thousand. Helicopters like this have value because there is a demand. The rich wouldn't want this AW109, and the poor couldn't afford it, 'demand' determined its price, but for Joe Ga, two hundred thousand was definitely a steal. But it was only with the Omnipotent Toolbox that Joe Ga was willing to buy it. If it weren't for running into Qiao, this helicopter would probably end up in the scrapheap in a few years' time. One was eager to deal; the other genuinely wanted to buy. They struck a deal at once. Joe Ga paid a hundred thousand US Dollars deposit on the spot and then pulled aside the hangar boss and the technical officer, saying he was willing to pay an extra fifty thousand US Dollars. However, he required to be involved throughout the entire maintenance of the AW-109, and they had to repaint the aircraft according to his specifications and ensure the electronic system had no issues before agreeing. The officer in charge of the hangar, who was tasked with clearing out inventory, rarely encountered a 'sucker' willing to spend money on junk, so of course, he took great care to accommodate him. The officer agreed to Joe Ga's request to replace the avionics system, but there was a catch: Joe Ga had to fork out an additional two hundred fifty thousand for a 'Little Gazelle', making it an even half a million. This 'Little Gazelle' was not one of those running on the plains, but an armed helicopter. Looking at the hangar manager with his big beard, making suggestive gestures indicating that he could keep the weapon mounts and fire-control system, Joe Ga incredulously spread his hands and said, "Is this really not illegal?" According to the hangar manager, it indeed wasn't illegal, at least not in Egypt. The weapon mounts themselves were not against the law; it was only illegal if you mounted weapons on them and flew around indiscriminately. S~eaʀᴄh the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. At this moment, when Qiao was visiting the hangar, he suddenly realized that Gaddafi's Arsenal, which had scared him so much, was actually nothing much after all. In this Army Aviation base's hangar, there were dozens of aged helicopters on display, including about a dozen 'Little Gazelles'. Logically speaking, the light helicopter was a good deal, being cheap and efficient, but unfortunately, with the rise of unmanned drones, these light helicopters started to gradually lose the market to heavier attack helicopters like the Mi-28 and the Ka-52. Joe Ga actually liked and needed the light helicopter, but, the only downside was that as a travel company with just three people, owning two helicopters seemed a bit too absurd. But as they say, you're a fool if you don't take advantage of a good deal, especially when the electronic system and fire control system are included. What's there to hesitate about with a price tag of 250,000 US Dollars? Let's take it! As he demonstrated his purchasing power, many from the base gathered around, eagerly recommending various aircraft models inside the hangar... Even though this was just an Army Aviation logistics base, it was still a military base. Joe Ga, perplexed by the enthusiasm of the Army Aviation ground staff, squeezed out a laugh, excused himself from the crowd, and rushed into the commander's office with the officer. Joe Ga looked at the middle-aged man with a thick mustache in front of him and said with some uncertainty, "Mr. Deere, are we really okay doing this?" Deere, stroking his mustache, shook his head with a smile and said, "What could possibly be the problem? You are Chinese; you're our best customer! We'll provide a complete sales contract. You're helping us clear out inventory, so you are a friend of the Egyptian Army Aviation." Looking at Deere, who seemed to think it was all perfectly natural, Joe Ga spread his hands and said, "I'm talking about the SD side. These helicopters, well, Agusta is definitely fine, but can the light helicopter really clear customs?" Deere frowned upon hearing this and said, "What are you talking about? You are Chinese. How could the SDs give you a hard time? It's just buying a helicopter. If you're worried, we can contact Kamu Airport directly; it will only take two transits to get the aircraft delivered to your home. But you'll need to add an extra 20,000 US Dollars for that, because fuel and the pilots cost money." Without hesitation, Joe Ga agreed and signed what looked like a very official purchase agreement. Then, starting the next day, Joe Ga visited the logistics base daily, using the base's equipment to personally conduct checks and maintenance on the two helicopters. The Omnipotent Toolbox was indeed a marvel for mechanics, it didn't even require a deliberate parts change—a simple adjustment according to the detector's instructions brought the Agusta and the light helicopter to the best condition they could currently achieve. To make them even better, Joe Ga would need to find a way to replace the worn parts after he got back home. Compared to the 'Agusta,' which was a strict requirement for a travel company, Joe Ga was too fond of the light helicopter. Lightweight, small, with excellent adaptability, it had slightly less endurance, but an 800-kilometer maximum range was already enough to meet Joe Ga's needs. So, the party of three stayed in Egypt for a full four months at the company's expense, returning to Ad-Damazin loaded with aspirations for the future. To Joe Ga's surprise, during the four months he was away, Ad-Damazin had undergone significant changes. This little prairie town was actually electrified. He learned that it was thanks to the power generation from the Rosieres Dam built with China's help. Being a brother town on the Blue Nile, Ad-Damazin naturally benefited first.