'The period immediately before the Second World
War was a particularly crucial one, which saw the industrial capacity put in place to underpin Britain's air effort during the conflict. The author examines the relationship between industry and the state at a time when increasing tension resulted in large government contracts. Simultaneously, however, conflicting political aims, for example the immediate desire for large shop-window deterrent forces as opposed to the longer-term need for war-capable air forces, produced contradictions in official policy. These in turn induced strains in the relationship between government and industry, and within the machinery of state itself. Ritchie explores these varying factors using not only the official papers on which much existing scholarship has been based, but also surviving
company papers. The result is an admirably balanced account.' From the Editor's Foreword
"American Aviation Historical Society - ""This is an in depth study of the economic and industrial foundation of World War Two British air power... this book belongs in you library."" The British Army Review - ""highly recommended to anyone who is interested in the interaction between defence and industry, and the implications for the wider aspects of defence planning. Its lessons are entirely relevant to today, and are not limited to the aerospace field"" Aeromilitaria - ""...a comprehensive guide to the problems and eventual achievements of aircraft production."" Business History - ""This is an excellent piece of origionl research, the conclusions of which are articulated in a detailed and convincing style."" Military History - ""Sebastian Ritchie is to be commended for a fine, thought-provoking, and readable study of what many might feel is a dry and uninspiring"" Aeroplane Monthly - ""The result is a scholarly and valuable study that will surely be a standard reference for many years."
Noel Sebastian Ritchie, Sebastian Ritchie
