THE subject of this article is different from others in our series and offers less chance of the direct comparison of methods, because the size of the machine is great and the quantity built comparatively small. In another important respect it differs in that, hitherto, the approach has been from the point of view of the way in which a firm has laid itself out to produce one type, whereas in this case, it is the general working methods of the firm and its system of construction which is considered. It should be borne in mind throughout that the demand for flying‐boats, even military types, is limited, and jigs have to be large and costly to accommodate the big components, so that, to a certain extent, each boat is individually built. This individuality problem spreads, of course, even to the planning department; for each type of machine represents many thousands of parts, of which, at best, only a few off each will be required.
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