NO. 7 AIRCRAFT SUPPLY OF GREAT BRITAIN 7 



The next step in the problem is the balancing of the engine and 

 the aeroplane programmes. Owing to the much longer period re- 

 quired for the production of engines than of aeroplanes, orders for 

 the former must be placed for relatively long periods ahead, before it 

 is known what types of aeroplanes will be required when the engines 

 become available. 



The problem is complicated by the fact that manufacture and 

 delivery rarely if ever proceed in accordance with anticipation. 

 The output of a particular type may be delayed for weeks or even 

 months owing to some technical difficulty of manufacture. More- 

 over, as replacement of losses and expansion are proceeding simul- 

 taneously in the flying services, and the rate of wastage in different 

 types of engines and of aeroplanes varies considerably according to 

 circumstances, it is impossible to forecast with accuracy what engines 

 will be available for the equipment of new types of aeroplanes after 

 wastage has been made good. Nor is it possible to any great extent 

 to adjust the programme by modifying orders once placed without 

 disorganising supply. The problem does not end here. Whenever 

 a new type is introduced provision must be made for accumulating a 

 sufficient " head " of spare engines, spare aeroplanes and spare parts 

 of innumerable kinds, to keep the squadron to be equipped with that 

 type in a condition to make good the day-to-day wastage and carry 

 out the constant repairs required. 



Such being the nature of the problem, it is satisfactory to be able 

 to record that during the year 191 7 not only was the number of 

 squadrons of aircraft on the various fronts increased in a notable 

 degree, but there was a complete replacement of machines and engines 

 of the older types. The very great increase in output which is being 

 obtained has placed a considerable strain on the workers in the air- 

 craft and aero-engine factories of the country, a strain which is being 

 met on the whole in a satisfactory manner. 



The difficulties in connection with production are aggravated by 

 the competing claims of many different types of aero-engines. Stand- 

 ardization is the ideal but it is obviously difficult of attainment having 

 in view the importance of not losing time in production and at the 

 same time of keeping abreast with the very latest developments 

 necessitated by the need for constant increase of horse-power and 

 higher performance. The Air Council are most keenly impressed by 

 the need for concentration on a few approved engines, and they have 

 the whole question of the reduction of numbers of types under con- 

 stant and careful consideration. 



