Circumstances like those surroundin

Circumstances like those surrounding the disposition of the Barling Bomber soured Arnold’s opinion of War Department logistic and supply staffs. The Barling cost the Air Service $375,000, and it cost the manufacturer their business, when the cost overrun of $150,000 surpassed the company’s liquid assets. The now combined Wittemen-Lewis Company had won the bid for the bomber, but in those days there were few provisions that excused overruns of that magnitude. The lone Barling had not flown since May 1925.15 An embellished tale, as told by Arnold’s son Bruce, demonstrates Arnold’s frustration with the Air Corps’s logistics system during his tour in Dayton.