Aeronautics: Good Half

Combined sales of military and commercial aircraft in the first six months of 1931 gained $85,703 over sales in the first six months of 1930, the Aeronautical Chamber of Commerce reported last week. Planes and engines valued at $19,618,043 were sold by manufacturers in the first half of 1931 as compared to $19,532,340 in the same period last year. Sales of commercial aircraft declined sharply but a 57.8% increase in sales of military aircraft more than made up the difference. Production of commercial planes slumped even lower than sales in the first six months of 1931—42.9% lower than last year.