AIRCRAFT IN THE PHILIPPINES, DECEMBER
1941 - Douglas B-18A |
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AIRCRAFT IN THE PHILIPPINES, DECEMBER 1941
- Douglas B-18A
The air program of the Philippine Army,
though its development was slow, met with few serious obstacles. The
first Philippine Army airfield was built just outside of Manila, and by
the time the first runway was completed three trainers were available
for pilot training. This course was supplemented by courses in military
flying and technical training given in the United States to selected air
force students. By 1940 the Philippine Army Air Corps had about forty
planes and one hundred trained pilots. Practice in light bombing and
gunnery had been given, and the entire instructional system, General
Eisenhower observed later, was "on a very sound basis."