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Aviation History
1941
1941 - 0470.PDF
FEBRUARY 2OTH, 1941-. In the Douglas factory at El Segundo, California. "GIVE US THE TOOLS, AMERICA!'' An Engineer Examines the Export of Aircraft from U.S.A. : American Aircraft Quality , Present Rates of Production and Export By BRUCE FOSTER, B.C.E., D.I.C., A.F.R.Ae.S. THIS article is addressed to every American whowishes to retain a world in which he will still beable to register his vote on political questions, in which he will still be able to speak his mind about politics to his friend—or enemy—-on the street car, in which he will still have as much freedom as he enjoys now—perhaps even more so, if it becomes possible to bring about some much-needed social reforms. But the article is more par- ticularly addressed to those Americans who are concerned with the prpduction of aircraft, for the retention of liberty in the world depends more on the manufacture of fierce fighting and bombing aeroplanes than on any other mechanical device. This is unfortunate, for there were many who hoped in the years of the uneasy peace that the times in which abhorrent forms of political thought had to be combated by killing had passed. But the politicians of the world, by their very doubtful dealings, and the peoples of the world, by their mental laziness in refusing to examine the dealings of the politicians and see where they were leading us, refused to look the problem in the face for so long that no other way than a resort to killing lay open. The killing has now been under way for more than a year ; it will only end when victory has been secured for the Demo- cracies. So the sooner you send us military aircraft in great volume to add to the large numbers rolling out of the British factory doors, the sooner will this spot of bother be over and peace be attained. The totalitarian form of government will bring to us, if its military strength succeeds in war, a way of living which hardly bears thinking of. If they win, the light goes out in Europe, and perhaps in the world, and we plunge into a darkness more intense than that of the Dark Ages. A Nazi victory means the death of the liberal tradition. With peace comes the real work—the reconstruction of the war-torn world in a form which shall make it safe for all peoples to work in without fear of enormous disaster hanging over them in the shape of economic depression or an outbreak of mass killing such as we are at present enduring. For it seems to me that the only real excuse for waging a war is that the resultant victory gives a period of quiescence in which mankind has an opportunity to plan for peace. In this connection an utterance by Mr. John G. Winant is reassuring. In the first speech made after being appointed U.S. Ambassador to Britain to replace Mr. (Democracy is dead) Kennedy, you will remem- ber that he urged you to '' prepare to conquer for peace after the war has been won for Democracy. Only by accepting a far-reaching progressive social change can we hope to secure an economic security which will make peace real and lasting." Repulse of the "Luftwaffe " To ensure the victory and to bring the attainment of peace in the shortest possible time, Britain must have greater and greater numbers of military aircraft. Large quantities are being made over here, but we want more from U.S.A. The quality of your aircraft is good—desj/fe a few uncomplimentary remarks made by a very fewM^ my countrymen. My own acquaintance is more with civil aircraft, and in another country before the outbreak of war, but after seeing your transports doing regular service on airlines and being able to compare them with the pro- ducts of other nations, I have the greatest respect for them. As far as military aircraft go, it is evident from what you have sent over here that, structurally and aerodynamically, they are good aeroplanes—and, what is more, good fighting aircraft when fitted with armament in accordance with British ideas of adequate fire power. The ideas of many machine-guns and power-operated turrets in fighters and bombers respectively were adopted in this country before the outbreak of war, and they have proved themselves completely. Together with the personal qualities of our airmen and the flying qualities of our aircraft, they are responsible for the repulse of the Luftwaffe in the second half of last year. If the Luftwaffe had not been repulsed, it seems very probable that Germany would have then gone on to victory during 1940 over the United Kingdom—but not all the Democracies, for the fight would have been continued in other countries all over the world. Let us take stock of the situation and examine just what you have sent us since the start of this war. The present it. an appropriate time to do so, for Mr. Wendell Willkie left a few days ago on his return home to tell you what
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