AIRCRAFT PRODUCTION

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20055, 29 September 1939, Page 12

AIRCRAFT PRODUCTION

SPEED-UP IN AUSTRALIA GENERAL EXTENSION PLAN SYDNEY, Sept. 13. Plans for a speeding up in the production of Wirraway general purpose warplanes, substantially in excess of the maximum output of five aircraft a month originally provided, are being urgently examined by the Commonwealth Government.

Urgent attention is being given to ;hc acceleration of activity at the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation’s factory, as well a? to a general extension of the aircraft manufacturing industry in Australia. The new plans are the outcome of war necessity and the possible holdup in. the deliveries of Lockheed Hudson bombers now on order in the United States. Unless the clauses in the Neutrality Act prohibiting export i war materials to the Empire are waived, the Royal Australian Air >rc<: will be completely dependent for aircraft replacements on the

unitea Kingdom and Australia’s own industrial resources.

The maximum productive capacity -f the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation's* factory is a secret, but it is believed that it could be increased at short notice to a much larger figure than was envisaged before the present situation arose. Meanwhile plans for the manufacture of Beaufort bombers in Australia re brine pushed ahead at a maximum speed. An immediate start is being made on the building of cen"ai assemb'v units at Fishermen’s Vr.d and Mascot. Supplies of tools,

jibs, and essential materials not produced in Australia are now on thenway out from England. Another batch of about 20 selected technicians, who will be engaged in production, is leaving Australia within a few days ‘tor specialised Irainine at the Beaufort works, Bristol. Other men already abroad for training are e.urning.