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What happened to U.S. military aviation right after World War I?

It was cut back by about 95 percent.

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  1. It doubled in size
  2. It was cut back by about 95 percent ✔
  3. It became a separate Air Force

Why: When the war ended, the government canceled about $100 million in airplane orders within days. Factories laid off workers and airfields closed. Barnstormers and Army fliers kept American aviation alive.

Huh, didn't know that: The separate U.S. Air Force did not come until 1947.

The dad joke
Why were the pilots so bored after the war? They were grounded for a long time.
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References

Answer: It was cut back by about 95 percent. When the war ended, the government canceled about $100 million in airplane orders within days. Factories laid off workers and airfields closed. Barnstormers and Army fliers kept American aviation alive.

  1. CAP Teacher's Guide for Aerospace: The Journey of Flight (lesson outlines) www.gocivilairpatrol.com/media/cms/2nd_edition_Teachers_Guide_5D3166D76F9B1.pdf
    Military aviation was cut back by 95 percent.
    Checked 2026-10-10.

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