At the end of the war in 1918, Great Britain possessed the largest and most efficient aircraft industry in the world, and to-day British types of aircraft still retain the lead by virtue of their accomplishments in civil aviation. This is a sequel to the fact that British aeroplane constructors during recent years have collected a vast amount of information, gained by extensive practical and experimental work, with the result that every British machine has behind it an unrivalled guarantee of sound workmanship.
It is entirely the reputation of the productions of the British aeroplane constructors that is enabling their machines to increase their prestige abroad, for state aid. either financial or diplomatic, is as yet entirely an unknown thing so craft construction ign trade are concerned. At the present time the British machines are gaining favour and establishing themselves in foreign markets solely on the basis of their reputation, which has been increased by the publication of perform: ances actually achieved, and not by highly ingenious speculations as to what may some day be accom: plished.
Usrivatiep Recorps-
Thus, unassisted by the Govern-and entirely dependent on private enterprise for success, it is essential that British aviation missions should advance their interests by means of practical demonstrations and advertising based on actual performance. This is strenuous work, for in South America, South Africa, Seandinavia, Holland, the United States, Poland and other countries, the competition of French, Italian, American and even German State-subsidized aviation missions has to be met. It is significant, therefore, and eloquent of the high reputation enjoyed by British aircraft, that increasing recognition of the sup-priority of British aircraft constraction is coming from abroad.
For instance, the Handley Page Company has been entrusted with the Brazilian Air Mail contract, is shortly to open up air mail, pas senger and freight services in India, South Africa and other countries; and as everybody knows, is supplying China with commercial machines. The success of the Handley Page aeroplanes is due primarily to their reputation for reliability gained during the war, when all the heavy night bombing by the British forces was carried out for over two years by H. P. machines; and in the second place to the evidence these machines can produce of successful operations on scheduled air services, during recent months.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.