6
 
      (d) War Potential
 
      
 
 
While the increase in production now being effected constitute 
      what is virtually an exercise in production on a war scale, the 
      quantities of airframes, engines and equipment of all kinds estimated 
      to be required to meet wastage in war naturally represent an 
      even greater production problem. Accordingly in the development 
      and creation of productive capacity for the current program, 
      close attention has been given to the war supply problem and 
      allowance made for the greater demands for war. Plans are being 
      developed not only for increasing the productive capacity of 
      the professional industry and its present outside helpers, but 
      also for securing the assistance of further outside organizations. 
      Perhaps the most important factor in obtaining an immediate increase 
      in production on the outbreak of war is the existence of adequate 
      jigs and tools. To this end, orders have been placed for additional 
      jigs and tools for the new types coming into production, thus 
      providing in advance, what, in effect, would be an essential 
      instrument for additional war potential. Other steps that have 
      been taken in this direction include the duplication of existing 
      factories that are located in vulnerable situations, and the 
      provision of increased capacity for the production of light metal 
      strip and sheet, which will represent a 50% increase of the total 
      estimated British output of aluminum alloys.
 
      
 
 
(e) Personnel.
 
      
 
 
One of the most remarkable features of the expansion has been 
      the response to the recruiting program. In 1934 the strength 
      of the regular air force was some 30,500, of whom 2,900 were 
      trained pilots and 300 were under training as pilots. By the 
      spring of this year the corresponding figures will be