The Air Ministry could respond to independent naval purchasing by cooperating with the Admiralty or concentrating contracts on suppliers less dependent on naval business. In the second case, Fairey, Blackburn, and Supermarine could become predominantly naval aircraft suppliers. Hawker would be a possible focus for RAF orders, while Bristol's engine business could draw its aircraft work toward the Navy. These are alternative industrial responses to competing buyers, with no fixed division of companies assumed.
Notable Point · 1:17:33-1:19:08
Aircraft suppliers face competing service buyers
Separate procurement could either encourage cooperation or draw aircraft firms toward different service customers.