The
inconveniences and disadvantages arising from the utilisation of
a wide variety of different types are manifold, the greatest
being the necessity of carrying a varied assortment of spare
parts, and confusion in the repair and overhauling shops.
The methodical Teuton was the first to grasp the significance of
these drawbacks; he has accordingly carried standardisation to a
high degree of efficiency, as is shown in another chapter. At a
later date France appreciated the wisdom of the German practice,
and within a short time after the outbreak of hostilities
promptly ruled out certain types of machines which were regarded
as unsuitable. In this instance the process of elimination
created considerable surprise, inasmuch as it involved an embargo
on the use of certain machines, which under peace conditions had
achieved an international reputation, and were held to represent
the finest expression of aeronautical science in France as far as
aeroplane developments are concerned.
Possibly the German machine which is most familiar, by name, to
the general public is the Taube, or, as it is sometimes called,
the Etrich monoplane, from the circumstance that it was evolved
by the Austrian engineer Igo Etrich in collaboration with his
colleague Wels.
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