The Efficiency of the Modern Bomber: The Wider Significance of Recent R.A.F. Exercises

DURING the past month a series of very remarkable massed flights has been made by Royal Air Force bombing aeroplanes. At the time of writing three of these flights have taken place—there may have been more before this article appears in print—in which some 450 aeroplanes have taken part and an aggregate of about 450,000 miles covered. We are not concerned with the political aspects of these exercises but only with their technical importance. The outstanding feature of them is that out of all the machines engaged not one failed to return to its appointed base; in each instance, apparently, approximately to scheduled time. This is undoubtedly a very fine achievement, of which everyone concerned may well be proud. It speaks highly for the quality of the aeroplanes and engines, as well as of the personnel. The Royal Air Force can claim credit for the excellent staff work involved in the organization of enterprises on so large a scale, for the efficiency of the flying personnel—in particular, perhaps, of those responsible for the navigation—and of the ground staff charged with the maintenance of the machines and engines and the preparation of them for so gruelling a series of tests; far exceeding any hitherto set to any air force in the world in times of peace. The British aircraft industry may legitimately congratulate itself on this striking proof of the soundness of its methods of design and manufacture, which is, perhaps, most of all a tribute to the quality of British aero‐engines.