Aeronautics: $700 Plane?

In 1930 when U. S. production of commercial airplanes fell to 2,300 planes. Assistant Secretary of Commerce Young hopefully observed: "The gold paint has at last been erased from commercial aeronautics." By the time his successor, Eugene Luther Vidal, took office last month as Director of Aeronautics, not only the gold paint but several thicknesses of hide had been scraped from the battered body of the industry. Last year's production was 549 planes, representing about $2,300,000. The first nine months of this year were a shade better, at 552.

Besides those gloomy figures Director...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!