ON VAST SCALE

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 100, 22 January 1940, Page 7

ON VAST SCALE

Aircraft Production In

America MORE ALLIED ORDERS Immediate Solution Of Finland’s Need Seen By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. (Received January 21, 8 p.m.) NEW YORK, January 20. The North American Newspaper Alliance says an immediate solution of Finland’s need for fighting planes is seen by aeronautical experts in the fact that United States production is approaching the point where military planes far exceed pilots. It is pointed out that at present it is safe and desirable to release large numbers of current models to the Allies, who could tranship them to Finland.

It is known that the Finns currently are pressing London to send Lockheed bombers and Curtiss fighters. A British decision is expected shortly. Although pilot training in the United States will be adequate within a year it is not at present meeting equipment totals, due to the high requirements of personnel. It is estimated that only 20 per cent, of those enrolling have graduated. On the other hand, 45 factories are operating two shifts daily and are capable of immediately using three. Because of the speed of production, combined with the fact that industry is well ahead of military orders, it is believed that the current session ot Congress will not make large appropriations in an effort to obviate too rapid expansion. Meanwhile, the Allies are reported to be highly pleased with the planes already delivered, and have placed further orders for hundreds of planes, notably Douglas, Martin and Lockheed bombers, North American trainers and Curtiss fighters. Under a recent ruling the newest models also are available, and many are included in the orders for 8009 just announced. It is conservatively estimated that the current annual capacity is 16,000 planes and 18,000 engines. If factory space immediately available is utilized these figures could be stepped up to from 23,000 to 35,000 planes and at least 25,000 engines, the latter of 1000 horse-power class.