The fact that attention must be given to stiffness as well as strength in aeroplane design is now generally recognised. The provision of adequate strength alone is not sufficient to ensure that an aeroplane is immune from such troubles as flutter, loss of lateral control due to twisting of the wing and wing divergence. This is illustrated by the case of the Puss Moth. As shown in R. and M. 1645 this machine was examined in detail by the Aeronautical Research Committee and found to be completely satisfactory as far as the existing official airworthiness requirements were concerned, and yet it experienced failures which were attributed to flutter, an instability involving the stiffness of the wings and tail.

In the earlier stages of the investigations into these stiffness problems it appeared to many practical people that the work. was of academic interest only. As a matter of fact it was of subsidiary importance while operational speeds of aeroplanes were relatively low, but the higher speeds of the modern aeroplane make such problems of direct practical interest.