OUTPUT OF WAR PLANES

Evening Post, Volume CXXIX, Issue 18, 22 January 1940, Page 7

OUTPUT OF WAR PLANES

AMERICAN INDUSTRY

GREAT ACCELERATION

NEW YORK, January 20,

The North American Newspaper Alliance says that an immediate solution of Finland's need for fighting planes is seen by aeronautical experts in the fact -that United States producr tibn is approaching 'the point where military planes will far exceed pilots. It is pointed out that at present it is safe and desirable to release larger numbers of current models ito the Allies, who could tranship, them to Finland.

It is known that the Finns are pressing London to send Lockheed bombers and' Curtiss, fighters. A British decision is expected shortly.

Although the training of, pilots in the United States will be adequate within a year, it is not at present equal to the output of equipment/owing^ 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 industryis well ahead of military orders, it is believed that the current session of Gongress 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 are also available, and many are included in; the orders for 8000 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 utilised 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.