[stephen f. polyak]

An aerodynamic control (e.g., flap, rudder, elevator, or aileron) made of wood, if properly designed and constructed, can achieve strength and stiffness approaching a metal structure at equivalent/less weight. The problem of surface contour changes with fabric at high speeds, producing erratic control forces and control authority, is eliminated with metal/wood surfaces. At that late stage of the war, the distributed availability of wood, capable woodworkers, woodworking tools, and safe working sites likely exceeded that of comparable resources for metalworking.