I work for a water company and we just started delivering to this aircraft repair section of a airport. This building was built back around 1940. and all the main structual beams or arches. was made of wood. I'm just curious if there is a reason it was made with wood or just ironic. WWII didn't start till 1941 so I don't think it was that they needed all the steal.
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World War II started in 1939. The United States did not enter the war until 1941, but Europe was already well into the conflict by that point, and much of Asia had been at war with Japan for quite some years prior to that. Not sure where your hangar is, so assuming by your '41 date it's in the US, here's some possible reasons:
1: Steel rationing had already begun to a degree. The United States realized they would inevitably have to enter the conflict, and had begun to rearm.
2: Lend Lease. While the US was ostensibly neutral prior to declaring war on the Axis powers in December of 1941, they had been helping the Allies (and England especially) via Lend Lease well before that. Many materials de guerre, steel included, had been purchased by England as she stood virtually alone against Germany through much of 1940 and 1941.
3: The Depression. Money was tight through the 30s. Really, it was the entry into the War and the massive production of planes, tanks, and other vital war supplies that truly revitalized the American Economy. It's possible that wood was simply all that was in their budget.
1: Steel rationing had already begun to a degree. The United States realized they would inevitably have to enter the conflict, and had begun to rearm.
2: Lend Lease. While the US was ostensibly neutral prior to declaring war on the Axis powers in December of 1941, they had been helping the Allies (and England especially) via Lend Lease well before that. Many materials de guerre, steel included, had been purchased by England as she stood virtually alone against Germany through much of 1940 and 1941.
3: The Depression. Money was tight through the 30s. Really, it was the entry into the War and the massive production of planes, tanks, and other vital war supplies that truly revitalized the American Economy. It's possible that wood was simply all that was in their budget.
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Steel was rationed for the war effort. Anything that could be built from other materials, was. If that was not the reason, wood construction saved money also.
For example, some of the major English aircraft of the war were made of wood, such as the de Havilland Mosquito.
For example, some of the major English aircraft of the war were made of wood, such as the de Havilland Mosquito.
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World War 2 started in 1939. The USA did not want to be involved until provoked by the bombing of Pearl Harbour on December 7, 1941. In 1940, wood was probably much cheaper than steel.