Building a Conglomerate in Another World

By the spring of 1885, the airfield near the Hesh Factory buzzed with anticipation as Matthew Hesh and his team unveiled their latest creations. The success of the Flyer had ignited a fire within the aviation division, driving them to design and build a series of aircraft tailored to different needs. Matthew's vision for the future of aviation extended beyond experimentation—he sought to establish a thriving industry that mirrored the growth of his automobile empire.

Matthew stood in the hangar with Amber, Lionel, and a group of engineers. Before them were three new aircraft, each representing a distinct purpose and an evolution of their initial designs. The polished metal frames gleamed under the sunlight streaming through the hangar doors.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Matthew began, his voice filled with pride, "what you see before you are the first of their kind—aircraft designed not just to fly but to serve specific purposes. These machines represent the future of transportation, commerce, and exploration."
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Amber gestured toward the first aircraft, her curiosity evident. "What's this one called?"

Matthew stepped forward, placing a hand on the nose of the sleek, silver plane. "This is the Hesh-10 Skyliner. It's our first commercial passenger aircraft."

The design is inspired by designs akin to the Douglas DC-3 from his previous world. It was a twin-engine monoplane with a streamlined fuselage and smooth, tapering wings. Its design was revolutionary for the time, capable of carrying 21 passengers in a pressurized cabin—an unheard-of luxury.

Lionel, the head engineer, chimed in. "The Skyliner is powered by two radial engines, each producing 1,000 horsepower. It has a cruising speed of 190 miles per hour and a range of 1,500 miles. It's designed to connect major cities, reducing travel time from days to mere hours."

Amber ran her hand along the fuselage, marveling at the craftsmanship. "And the cabin? What's it like inside?"

Matthew led them to the passenger door, where he opened it to reveal the interior. Rows of plush seats lined the cabin, each with a window offering passengers a view of the sky. Overhead compartments provided space for luggage, and the polished wood paneling added an air of sophistication.

"It's designed for comfort," Matthew explained. "Passengers will have reclining seats, in-flight meals, and even a lavatory. This isn't just a way to get from point A to point B—it's an experience."

Amber smiled. "It's incredible. I can already imagine businessmen and travelers lining up to book flights."

Lionel pointed to the second aircraft, a more compact and rugged design. "And this one, Matthew?"

"This," Matthew said, walking toward the aircraft, "is the Hesh-20 Courier. It's designed for cargo transport."

The courier is inspired by the Junkers Ju 52. It was a trimotor aircraft with a corrugated metal exterior, giving it a sturdy and utilitarian appearance. Its cargo bay was spacious enough to carry up to 2,500 pounds of goods, making it ideal for shipping and logistics.

"This aircraft is all about efficiency," Matthew continued. "It can operate on short runways and handle rough conditions, making it perfect for remote areas and rapid deliveries. The three engines ensure reliability, even in the event of a failure."

Amber nodded, impressed. "This will revolutionize trade. Goods can be delivered across continents faster than ever before."

Matthew's gaze shifted to the third aircraft, a sleek, low-wing monoplane painted in military gray. "And finally, we have the Hesh-30 Falcon, a military reconnaissance and light attack aircraft."

The Falcon was a single-engine plane with a streamlined design, reminiscent of the Supermarine Spitfire. It featured a bubble canopy for improved visibility and was armed with light machine guns mounted in the wings.

"This aircraft is built for speed and agility," Matthew said. "With a top speed of 330 miles per hour and a range of 800 miles, it can gather intelligence, support ground forces, or defend key positions."

Lionel added, "The Falcon's construction uses lightweight aluminum alloys for increased performance without compromising durability."

Amber's expression turned serious. "This one's for war, isn't it?"

"Yes it is, but it lacked one of the fundamentals," Matthew said.

"What fundamentals?"

"Machine gun," Matthew replied. "The existing machine guns, like the Maxim, are too bulky and heavy to be mounted on an aircraft effectively. They also generate too much heat, making them unsuitable for prolonged use in flight. If we're going to arm this plane, we need something lighter, more reliable, and specifically engineered for aerial combat."

Lionel nodded, his brow furrowed in thought. "That's going to require significant innovation, Matthew. We'll need to develop a new type of firearm entirely."

Matthew smiled faintly, already ahead of the curve. "Precisely. I've been studying the designs of rotary and recoil-operated systems. A lighter, belt-fed machine gun that uses an air-cooled barrel could be the solution. It would need to be compact enough to mount inside the wing or on a flexible pivot, giving the pilot control without compromising the plane's aerodynamics."

Amber, standing beside the Falcon, looked intrigued. "So, you're not just revolutionizing aviation—you're advancing weaponry as well."

"It's a necessary step," Matthew admitted. We already have introduced the automobile, next is aircraft. Those two machines will revolutionize warfare as well. You can see it happening when a general visited us about the automobile."

His team were silent for a moment.

"Gentlemen, I think this is also the time that we are expanding to weapon industry."

Matthew let his words hang in the air for a moment, gauging the reactions of his team. Lionel was the first to break the silence, nodding thoughtfully. "Expanding into weaponry is a logical step, given the military applications of both automobiles and aircraft. It's not just about combat—it's about giving our forces an edge in intelligence, logistics, and strategy."

"And it is also a profitable market. Militaries are known to invest heavily in advancements that can provide them with a strategic edge," Lionel added, his tone practical. "If we can offer them reliable, innovative solutions, we'll have a steady stream of revenue to fund our other ventures."

"Exactly, so let's make this work," Matthew said.