In France the air-fleet, although extensive upon the outbreak of
war, was somewhat heterogeneous. Experiment was still being
pursued: no type had met with definite official recognition, the
result being that no arrangements had been completed for the
production of one or more standard types upon an elaborate scale
comparable with that maintained by Germany. In fact some six
months after the outbreak of war there was an appreciable lack of
precision on this point in French military. Many of the types
which had established their success were forbidden by military
decree as mentioned in a previous chapter, while manufacturing
arrangements were still somewhat chaotic.
Great Britain was still more backward in the new movement. But
this state of affairs was in a measure due to the division of the
Fourth Arm among the two services. A well-organised Government
manufactory for the production of aeroplanes and other aircraft
necessities had been established, while the private manufacturers
had completed preparations for wholesale production. But it was
not until the Admiralty accepted responsibility for the aerial
service that work was essayed in grim earnest.
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