Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 2:59:23-3:00:27

Why obsolete airframes were too useful for decoys

An unwanted aircraft could train ground crews or return scarce metal and engines to production, while a decoy could be built from wood.

Aircraft MaintenanceDecoysMilitary TrainingRoyal Air ForceWartime Production
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Question

Could unwanted Brewster Bermuda aircraft have served as decoys on RAF airfields?

Short answer

They were more valuable as ground-training airframes or recyclable material, while wooden decoys could imitate parked aircraft.

Notes

An unwanted Brewster Bermuda remained useful as a ground-training airframe. Crews could practise taxiing and chocking, while controllers could learn to manage aircraft movements on the ground. If those uses did not justify keeping it, the aluminium and engine could be recovered for more useful aircraft. Wooden decoys could imitate parked aircraft without tying up those materials.