BRITISH AIR FLEET

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23707, 14 January 1939, Page 14

BRITISH AIR FLEET

INDUSTRY REORGANISED INCREASE IN PRODUCTION STRENGTH OF 135 SQUADRONS (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) LONDON, Jan. 5. For the first time since the crisis revealed the aircraft muddle, the future of Britain in the air is spoken of with a degree of optimism in aviation quarters. Entirely new forces have begun to operate within the industry in the last two months, amounting to a reorganisation of the aircraft and allied industries. The results of this are not yet apparent, but they are an essential preliminary to vastly increased production by the middle of 1939. Directorates embracing prominent business men have been established to organise the production of engines and aircraft equipment. The shadow factory scheme, hitherto in the throes of organisation, is now ready to produce components and augment the products of the regular factories. Air Force expansion is now being accelerated, and according to the December list, the Royal Air Force has increased to 135 squadrons, consisting of 73 bomber, 28 fighter, 17 reconnaissance. 12 Army co-opera-tion, three torpedo, and two bombing communications squadrons. Technical achievements in 1938 compare more than favourably with those of any other country. It is understood that the new fighter bomber produced is still on the secret list,, but is regarded as the world’s best. The new Blenheim. Fairey Battle and Hampden bombers and Hurricane Spitfire fighters have all now entered on quantity production.