For want of a spanner.(Royal Air Force)

A curious minor logistical mystery of Royal Air Force History in World War II was the shortage of hand tools. This lasted well into 1943, four years after the war began and nine years after rearmament started in 1934.

Before wartime expansion, fitters and riggers did their initial course at No. 1 Technical Training School at Habton. They specialized either as engine fitters or as airframe riggers. Upon completion of the course, they were sent to squadrons where in seven years their education was completed.

At the squadron they reported to A, B, or C Flight where they were issued a toolkit. If they were transferred from one flight to another, they had to turn in their …