In an article for The Aeroplane in July 1940, Maj Clement Hirtzel wrote, "It seems a terrible thing that we should have to spend so many millions of our money on buying aeroplanes from America" He proceeded to say the problem during the First World War was caused by British motor manufacturers afraid that, post-war, their business would take years to recover should they move to the production of aeroplanes and aero engines. In those early days it was far easier to produce wood-and-fabric fuselages, which soon became obsolete, while the engine manufacturers were playing catchup. Fortunately for our industry, and the pilots of the Great War, J. D. Siddeley finally agreed to turn out 200 engines a week for DH4 and DH9 bombers. Meanwhile the Royal Aircraft Establishment, along with Bentley and Wolseley, built powerplants for fighters. As a consequence, Britain was not left with egg on its face.
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