893.24/6–2148
The Department of State to the Chinese Embassy
Memorandum
The Department of State has been informed by the Department of the Air Force that a number of P–47–N fighter aircraft now located in the Pacific will, during the remainder of the year, become surplus to United States Air Force requirements. The United States Government is prepared to make these planes available to the Chinese Government through the Office of the Foreign Liquidation Commissioner.
Present information, which can not be considered as final, indicates that thirty-two of these aircraft will be available for sale or transfer shortly after the middle of July with additional aircraft becoming available approximately as follows: Thirty-two in August; nineteen in September; seven in December. It is anticipated that about one-third of these aircraft will be P–47 N–RE–1’s and the remaining two-thirds will be P–47–N–RE–5’s.
The Department of the Air Force has indicated that the number of planes involved is subject to change and that the schedule of deliveries is contingent upon several variable factors. Therefore, this memorandum should not be considered as establishing a commitment [Page 69] on the part of this Government to furnish the total number indicated or to furnish such numbers as may be provided on any firm schedule.
The Department of the Air Force states that it is not in a position to furnish maintenance spares for the above aircraft as current United States military requirements and stock levels preclude the declaration as surplus of any such parts, and it suggests, therefore, that the Chinese Government may find it desirable to initiate procurement action with Republic Aviation Corporation, the manufacturer of these aircraft, in order to obtain such equipment.