The thing is, those aircraft were structurally relatively simple compared to modern stressed skin aircraft and repairs to aircraft that suffered this kind of accident - which happened quite often, could be made relatively quickly so the aircraft could be put into the air as soon as practicable. As well as engine strip maintenance knowldge, pilots learned basic wood working and fabric repair skills and carried repair kits around with them so they could make rudimentary fixes on the gorund away from their home bases. This meant they could make a quick flight to the nearest base where a more thorough repair could be made.