Reply To Critical U.S. Report On Planes

Press, Volume XCII, Issue 27750, 30 August 1955, Page 11

Reply To Critical U.S. Report On Planes

(Special Correspondent N.Z.P.A.) (Rec. 8 p.m.) LONDON, August 29. The criticisms of British aircraft development in the report of the United Stales Hoover Commission on Government Reorganisation drawn up towards the end of 1954 did not represent the present position in many respects, it is stated by the Air Ministry.

The commission surveyed and reported on the application of American foreign aid. It said that many production difficulties were besetting jet fighters and bombers being built by Britain with United States foreign aid funds and the aircraft might well be obsolete by the time the difficulties were overcome.

The Air Ministry said that no copies of the commission’s report had been received but it was clear from press reports that in many respects it did not represent the position as it was today. There was complete faith in Hunter aircraft and some hundreds of Hunters were in squadron service with the Royal Air Force in Britain and on the Continent.

“The answer to the earlier teething troubles with the aircraft are known, and the Hunter is a first-class fighter aircraft,” it was stated.

Of the Javelin, the Air Ministry reported it would come into Royal Air Force squadron service before the end of the year. It had been decided to reduce the number of Javelins of earlier mark to be supplied and to order more of the later marks, which had better performance.

The Air Ministry suggested that the performances of the Canberra bomber spoke for themselves. “It would seem unlikely that the authors of the report would have written as they are reported to have done if the document had been prepared when the Canberra was the first bomber to fly from London to New York and back in less than 14$ hours, as a result of which three world records are now awaiting confirmation.”

Subsequent reports from Washington say that both the United States Defence and Mutual Security Denartments are rejecting the Hoover Commission’s report.

American experts were said to be confident that the modified Hawker Hunter would be the best interrention day fighter in production in Western Eurono and there was nn question of cancelling orders for them, or for Javelins. At the same time the air correspondent of the “News Chronicle” says, that the American criticisms must be faced.

“Britain is at least two years behind the United States in the development of military jet aircraft—particularly fighters. “Yet Britain remains on top of the world in the development and production of the best and most powerful jet engines. “What is the reason for the national failure?

“It stems from the decision of the Government in 1946 to plan for rearmament in 1956.

“Service chiefs agreed that 10 years freedom from the threat of war could be assured.

“The result was no production order* to the aircraft industry but only encouragement for the development of new and better prototypes. “Thus, while the United States was building and gaining experience with jet fighters. Britain was playing about with prototypes. “As a result, it is admitted privately by service chiefs it may take us five years to catch up.”