The main factors that have contributed to the production of the machines of outstanding merit, which are upholding our reputation in the field to-day, are unquestionably the greater scientific knowledge possessed by our designers, and the conspicuous ability shown by the staff of the Royal Aircraft Factory in making practical use and application of the latest and best information at their disposal, and in their own full-scale experimental work and study of the many practical problems outside the range of purely scientific research.
The machinery set up by the Government for dealing with a new and difficult question of the greatest national importance, has, so far as its allotted scope is concerned, worked with singular smoothness and undeniable effect. In brief, we have the Royal Aircraft Factory, which may be regarded as the headquarters of the national sources of production, and in itself of the character of an experimental or pioneer department rather than a national manufactory. Behind this we have the Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, a body whose functions are mainly concerned with scientific and technical questions, and at the disposal of the Advisory Committee a large and growing department forming part of the National Physical Laboratory. In addition to this, there exists the Naval side, consisting of constructional works and depot at Aldershot, which has taken over in its entirety the Dirigible (Balloon) section of the work.
The secretarial headquarters of the Advisory Committee is permanently located at the National Physical Laboratory, the Director of the latter. Dr. R. T. Glazebrook, F.R.S., being the Chairman of the Committee under the presidency of Lord Rayleigh, O.M., F.R.S.; the Army being represented by the Director-General of Military Aeronautics. Major-General Sir David Henderson, K.C.B., the Navy by the Director of the
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