ES #52: Sunderland, like Stirling, were built at the rates funded by the Customer. Upon Declaration of War, Armament Profits Duty (1941: Excess Profits Tax) captured...what they say on the tin. Early Catalinas were ordered for money; they, and B-24s came to the King's Forces courtesy of US taxpayers. Very, very pleased we were to have them. And, yes, priority and status attached to Bomber, more than to Coastal Command. Many, then and now, believed resources would have paid better if applied to maritime: do I recall an assessment that B-29 did more devastating work against Japan as minesower, than as incendiary bomber?