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Aviation History
1944
1944 - 0867.PDF
APRIL 27TH, 1944 Repairing, inspecting and packing parachutes, "brollies " now being made in the U.S. are of nylo , to the shortage of silk, but the difference betweenf th^ fyij and new types is said to be negligible. I 451 nformed people may say, there is no lack of apprecia tion for reciprocal aid, nor for its extent, in the minds of those most concerned. From Headquarters we drove to an R.A.F. station not far from London where we met "Slap-Happy" and her chief pilot. Captain Thomas, late of A.T.A., and now U.S. Air Transport Command pilot. We took off, and a little later arrived at what is known as B.A.D.A. (Base Air Depot Area). This base was British built and operated until October 21st, 1943, when it was officially handed over to the U.S. Air Service Command (Flight, October 28th, 1943). The growth of the station, even during six months, has been phenomenal, and it is now the largest thing of its kind in the world, its output easily beating that of its nearest competitors in America. 1,500,000 h.p. per month. Some idea of the immensity of this depot can be gained by the fact that the majority of air-cooled engines used by the U.S. Air Forces in the United Kingdom are repaired and overhauled here—and last month about 1,200 engines, totalling 1,500,000 h.p., were overhauled and put out. In cidentally, I was told that the huge output of overhauled engines was only made possible by organising the whole section on a mass-production system, and, in point of fact, only the same number of personnel are required as was necessary for the original output of 70 engines per month. A minimum of 200 engines on the production fine is neces sary to maintain the normal level of production. As battle experience is gained by combat, modifications to aircraft and their equipment becomes necessary; obviously the latest desiderata cannot be incorporated by the makers in machines probably six months old, but only now being delivered to the men who are going to fight in them. To meet this vital problem modification kits are designed, developed and built complete at B.A.D.A., together with full installation instructions comprising drawings and text. At this base all the latest '' mods'' are incorporated in newly delivered aircraft, and kits and instructions are sent to the forward area combat zones for retrospective incorporation; at the saafleTime, the aircraft manufacturers are informed ofJJ^mddification so that it can be fitted to aircraf^^Tng built—although by the time they arrive hen^Here will be two ors±hree new mods" to be ig0dJpj^te>Kb"efore they can ]|p to the lent wincl|/H£pflalirrto4n| imme- tairl. This is a rectangular piece of material heavily reinforced by webbing straps; and when an aircraftiS forced to '' ditch '' or^afake a belly landings ,^Hese curtains are JwoKecPup across the fuselage and the crew back up againsl them, so that when the impact comes, with its tre mendous deceleration, the men are not injured through ricochetting off various parts of the structure. These ditch ing curtains have proved their worth many, many times, and they must have a powerful psychological effect upon the men who run the risks. Literally, thousands of modification kits are being built per month at B.A.D.A., Ranks of Thunderbolts and Mustangs delivered by ship and still covered in their pro tective grease, parked on wire mesh aprons awaiting cleansing and assembly.
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