AIRCRAFT FACTORY

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 53, Issue 3795, 14 August 1936, Page 5

AIRCRAFT FACTORY

NEW BRITISH WORKS. A new aircraft factory referred to by Sir Thomas Inskip, Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence, in the House of Commons recently, to be built at Cofton Hackett, will be used primarily for the manufacture of military machines, says the Daily Telegraph. The building is to be completed in six months besides the flying ground and track of the motor works at Longbridge. When completed it will be operated by the company for the Government. When not in actual production it will be kept by the company on a maintenance basis, to be ready for production at any time according to Government requirements.

It is estimated that the cost of building and machinery will be nearly £1,000,000. The works will be capable of employing between 5000 and 6000 men.

The new factory will be used for making high-speed all-metal bombers. The lay-out of the factory has been prepared by the company. General approval, subject to certain conditions, has been given to the plans by the Bromsgrove Rural Council. The site is in a zone scheduled for residential purposes, and lies in a sheltered position in a valley. When completed the factory will be visible from only one high point of the surrounding countryside. It will be in full production in twelve months’ time.

Complete air bombing aeroplanes are to be turned out with a speed of over 300 miles an hour. The Output of the factory is being kept a closelyguarded secret.