How much does one pound of WW2 aircraft cost ?

[Timppa]

It is surprisingly consistent.

 

[Greg Boeser]

But does the price include GFE included in the equipped weight? You know, guns & stuff?

 

[Timppa]

But does the price include GFE included in the equipped weight? You know, guns & stuff?

Average cost per airplane is the weighted average on all programs approved during a designated fiscal year and represents the estimated cost of a complete airplane ready for flyaway, including factory installed ordnance and radio equipment. Costs exlude equipment installed at modification centers and airplane spare parts.

Fighter empty weights are taken from Deans "America's Hundred-Thousand".
Bomber weight are from Wikipedia for lack of a better source.

 

[Barrett]

I recall a Grumman press release, probably from '44, saying that Bethpage produced more pounds of a/c for less cost than other manufacturers. If the numbers were cited, they're long gone from memory.

 

[tomo pauk]

I recall a Grumman press release, probably from '44, saying that Bethpage produced more pounds of a/c for less cost than other manufacturers. If the numbers were cited, they're long gone from memory.

When we exclude powerplant, armament and what ever is listed as the GFE, 'rest' of an Hellcat was far cheaper to the US taxpayer than it was the case with F4U or the P-47. 'Rest' of a Hellcat being quite a heavy lump.

 

[fastmongrel]

A Spitfire MkVB from the Castle Bromwich plant cost the taxpayer about £9,850. So in 1941 prices about £1 4s a pound. In 2010, the relative value of £9,825 from 1941 is £1,824,000.00 calculated by increase in retail price index plus rise in wages and material costs. So in 2010 prices about £304 per pound.

Engine £2,000 0 0
fuselage £2,500 0 0
Wings £1,800 0 0
Undercarriage £800 0 0
Guns £800 0 0
Tail £500 0 0
Propeller £350 0 0
Petrol Tanks (£65 0 0
Oil Tank £25 0 0
Compass £5 0 0
Clock £2 10s 0d
Thermometer £1 1s 0d
Sparking Plugs each 8s 0d
Fixings £1000 0 0 (rivets, screws, bolts, cables)

Don't try to compare US/UK/Ger costs or man hours - the mechanics of the calculation on opposite sides of the Atlantic and English Channel were completely different.