WAR AEROPLANES

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20672, 10 March 1937, Page 7

WAR AEROPLANES

EXCESSIVE PRICES PAID LONDON, February 21. In pointing to marked discrepancies in price between civil ,and military aeroplanes, the aviation correspondent of the “Daily Express” asks: ‘‘ls there a ring controlling military aeroplane prices?” There is a growing feeling, the writer states, that the nation is paying excessive prices for many of its war aeroplanes. Among the discrepancies in prices between military and civil aircraft of similar type, the following are cited:— Single-seater fighter, £10,000; singleseater racer, £2OOO. Two-seater fighter, £12,000; two seater tourer, £2OOO.

Light bomber, £15,000; light airliner, £6OOO to £BOOO.

Heavy bomber, £25,000 to £30,000; big airliner, £24,000. The fact that military aeroplanes usually require heavier and more expensive engines does not explain the difference adequately, the correspondent argues. He points out that under the Air Ministry’s system of allowing 10 per cent profit on the cost price, it pays manufacturers to make machines as dear as possible. Although costing experts of the Ministry check figures to prevent profiteering, the estimates of manufacturers are often accepted with little question.