n the spaces of the propeller. With a timer a plane became the first combat plane in 1915 before that time planes were used for bombing and observations of troops. By the end of World War I both sides had aircraft that was capable of flying to altitudes of 25,000 feet and speeds of 155 miles per hour. This was an amazing feat for wartime pressures for development.After the war commercial air service was started and planes were being used for the transportation mail. The United States Postal Service supported the development and Donald Douglas and Boeing started production of planes for transportation of people and goods. In 1941 there were fewer than 300 planes in service when Japan attacked Pearl Harbor. The United States had a very weak airforce. Production had to be increased rapidly, by the end of the war aviation companies were making almost 50,000 planes a year. The jet engine and pressurized cabin were developed which allowed planes to fly higher and faster. America focused their attention on the development of fighters and bombers. Aircraft allowed troops to be relocated to the front lines very quickly.Japan attacked America at a very good time. We were battling out of a depression that caused the development and production of the airplane to slow because of a lack of funding. Once the word of the strike on Pearl Harbor was heard the government was forced to produce planes to fight the much stronger Japanese aircraft. This was answered with the rapid production of the B-17 bomber and jet fighters. A huge focus was placed on scientific development that allowed America to finish with a much stronger airforce to defeat Japan.With all this technology the United States needed to have very competent pilots. The airforce started Academies that were taught by the best pilots. They kept training at a maximum we were turning out well-trained pilots. Japan on the other hand sent their best pilots to face combat and were sh...
