The British aircraft industry had had a good war and at the end of 1945 were probably the most advanced in the world. A combination of almost limitless war funding meant it was also one of the countries largest industrial sectors. There were some 22 British companies designing and building airframes and a further 9 manufacturing engines employing more than a million people. 

All of whom now saw the government switch off the financial hose pipe. Could they adjust to the post war reality?