The discussion moves from spare-parts contracting to a wartime argument for an independent air service. Advocates of a separate strategic bomber force counted a large apparent surplus of engines in Royal Flying Corps figures. The Admiralty objected that many counted components were spares intended to keep existing machines operational, not complete engines available for new bombers. The later Air Ministry eventually recognised that distinction, showing how administrative categories can distort force planning.
Notable Point · 48:52-49:47
Spare-engine accounting and the case for an independent air force
A dispute over engine inventories shows how procurement accounting could inflate the apparent resources available for an independent strategic bomber force.