BEAUFORTS ONLY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24634, 16 June 1941, Page 8

BEAUFORTS ONLY

AUSTRALIAN PRODUCTION AIRCRAFT EXPERT'S VIEW SUPPLY OF BRITISH FIGHTERS (Air Mail) SYDNEY, June 8. Australia should concentrate on the production of Bristol Beauforts, and not begin to manufacture new types, said the Commissioner for Aircraft Production (Mr John Storey) on his return ' from Britain and the United States yesterday. Mr Storey accompanied the Prime Minister, Mr Menzies, to England and inspected aircraft and engine factories .in England and America. Mr Storey declined to comment on the report he will submit to Federal Cabinet. It is expected that it will recommend the extension and intensification of the Government's Beaufort programme, and point out the limited ability of Australian industry to produce fighters of performance matching those in service and design overseas. Fighters for Dominions

"British fighter production is reaching the stage where it will be able to supply Dominion requirements as soon as shipping space can be made available," Mr Storey said. "Australian technicians occupy key positions in the English aircraft industry. England would strenuously oppose any attempt by the Australian Government to recall these men. The Australian aircraft industry is directly benefiting from their, research work in a field that could not be reproduced locally." Mr Storey said Australia could not afford the time to set up plants for the manufacture of the type of engines required for modern fighters. " I was amazed at the development of English aircraft production. England is now producing sufficient aircraft to meet all possible requirements," he said. " Despite bombing, England is turning out aircraft like shilling pieces. Her fighters have reached the pitch where daylight raiding by the Nazis has become impossible. It is safe to say that England's night-fighters, the Beau and the Defiant, will soon reach a stage of development where they will make night raiding equally hazardous." Greek and Cretan Campaigns Asked why England had not been able to supply fighters in Greece and Crete, Mr Storey said: "Britain is in a position Ho supply the Empire's fighter demands, subject always to the outcome of the Battle for the Atlantic. Of impressions gathered on his United States tour, Mr Storey said that the belief in the United States that there was political disunity in Australia was holding up orders- for machines and materials needed by Australia for munitions production. The extent of Australia's munition production and industrial war effort was by no means well known in America. There had been cases where difficulties in. getting equipment released for the Commonwealth had been overcome when officials were told the facts of Australia's efforts.