AIR FORCE EXPANSION

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 3 October 1936, Page 7

AIR FORCE EXPANSION

PROGRESS IN BRITAIN (By Air Mail—From Our Own Correspondent) LONDON, 3rd September. Sir Samuel Hoare told us recently that provided our armaments expansion programme can be carried out to schedule, Britain will be in a position to prevent any outbreak of another world war. So far as the expansion of our air power is concerned there is reason to believe that progress has been so rapid as to get ahead of the officially announced requirements of the programme. As regards personnel, the Air Ministry makes no secret of the progress in recruitmept, and the latest figures show that it is proceeding satisfactorily. Greater reticence, however, is displayed with regard to the acquisition of machines. Figures of first-line defences form little guidance, and there is much mystery about the real strength of “reserves. The information given about the numerous motor engineering firms that are now setting up new factories for the production of aeroplanes suggests what an enormous output of these craft there will be in.,the near future. That we are already in possession of a far greater number of aircraft than was the case last summer may be judged by any casual observer of the sky in the neighbourhood of R.A.F. aerodromes.