893.24 FLC/2–1348
The Department of State to the Chinese Embassy
Aide-Mémoire
Reference is made to negotiations presently going on between representatives in Washington of the Chinese Government and the Field Commissioner for Military Programs, Office of the Foreign Liquidation Commissioner, for the purchase of combat aircraft under the 8⅓ Group Program.
It is learned that spare parts for P–51 aircraft are in critical shortage. Manufacturers have discontinued production and when present stocks are exhausted there will be no more procurable.
It is therefore suggested that if the Chinese Government plans to purchase P–51 aircraft under the 8⅓ Group Program it would be well advised were it to take advantage of present limited availabilities to purchase an adequate amount of the spare parts in question.