German Ambitions To Make New Aircraft

Press, Volume XCII, Issue 27705, 8 July 1955, Page 11

German Ambitions To Make New Aircraft

(Special Correspondent N.Z.P.A.) (Rec. 8 p.m.) LONDON, July 7. The eyes of Germans are on the skies and they frequently speak of “The Plan” when referring to the intention of N.A.T.O. countries towards a future German aircraft industry, says a correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph.” “The plan” appears to consist of little more than allowing the normal commercial initiative to take its course, but whatever difficulties there is no doubt that the Germans mean to re-enter this field. They regard it as legitimate activity, only slightly more difficult to' . restart than their shipbuilding yards and their toy car and camera factories. which are now producing in prodigious quantities. They think they may first make parts, and - then planes, under licence. The next phase might be light trainer planes. Already firms which might make planes or parts find themselves wooed by rival suitors from conquering countries, says -the correspondent. It is probably no exaggeration to say that every British and American firm in the industry has contacts of some sort with one or more German firms. Professor Brandt, the Minister of

Transport, and Colonel Hermann Kastner, veteran Luftwaffe pilot of the First World War (who- is now secre- : tary of an association of firms aspiring ■ to make planes or parts) have each said that German companies would like to be associated with British companies. There is considerable faith in Britain’s ability to design and make planes and payment for British licences would be made in sterling. To offset this, the Americans have considerable bargaining power. Already German firms are manufacturing parts and equipment for American units. They hope for bigger orders to equip the new German Air Force under the offshore procurement programme. German •diligence, allied with American resources, might in time monopolise Western production. The Americans have offered to train some pilots for the air force free of charge. This might be construed as a bid against the Royal Air Force j offer to train them for the cost off maintaining the instructors. In the process which produces. planes, there are four major cate-, gories—research, design, and construction. Professor Brandt I

saw long ago that research would be of first imporance to a sovereign West Germany. Under his guidance, a comprehensive plan is getting into its stride. War-time and pre-war technical colleges and institutes are coming to life again. So far only fundamental research has been allowed’. Its tempo and range will increase as restrictions are lifted. Subsonic wind tunnels have been built; supersonic tunnels will follow. It may well be that Germany will have aerodynamic ideas to sell long before she is able to make planes on a big scale. Design is of less immediate importance. Except perhaps for one or two light aircraft. German ambitions are centred on planes of 10 years or more hence.