Mobilizing for Global War, 1938–1941

During the years just before America’s entry into World War IIWorld War II, accelerated incremental aeronautical innovation in the U.S. produced ever more capable modern aircraft. They were based upon the design features of the “airframe revolutionairframe revolution” and increasingly powerful engines. While commercial aviation was an important factor, the armed forces and the NACANational Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) continued to be the main drivers of aviation progress.