SPLENDID PROGRESS

FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT. NEW YORK, THURSDAY. America’s early promise to produce and send to France an overwhelming fleet of aircraft begins at last to show signs of fulfilment, and after many weary months of disappointments and delays, the leash at which the great American manufacturers have been straining has been severed. Whatever delay there has been up to date in quantity and production may be attributed neither to Government red-tape nor to the dilatoriness or inefficiency of the producers, but to over-zealous desire on the part of officials to produce a super-aeroplane, equipped with up-to-the-minute devices.

It is true that the past year has produced few machines for American use abroad, but great numbers have been shipped for Allied use, and many thousands for training purposes here. Despite uncertainties, individual manufacturers have steadily enlarged their plants, until these have reached a point where it is estimated that the capacity for aeroplane production of all types runs to several thousand per month.