An added advantage of this program was the introduction to Steel Improvement
of a young British metallurgist, Aubrey Milnes, who would play a significant
role in the growth of the company in later years. Milnes had been sent to the
United States by Bristol to supervise the production of its parts to the exacting
specifications necessary in military aircraft engines.
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Steel Improvement produced the torpedo propeller shown here which
was used by both the United States and British Navies during World War II.
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Two of Steel Improvement's contributions of vital importance in World War II had
their origins in the prewar days of the late 1930's. Torpedoes developed at the
Naval Ordnance Station, Newport, Rhode Island, included those fired from submarines
or launched from surface vessels. Forgings were a key component in the construction
of torpedoes. Steel Improvement developed a production method of forging an integral
four-bladed propeller from alloy steel that would overcome problems associated
with the shock of launching. This was the key to developing a torpedo that could
be launched from aircraft as well as ships.