 Mackinolty 's position was redesignated Director of Equipment in April 1935 . At around this time , he collaborated with Squadron Leader George Jones , then Director of Training , on an investigation into the state of aircraft production in Australia to highlight shortfalls in local defence in the face of possible future conflict with Japan . Though the report was reviewed enthusiastically by the Air Member for Personnel , Wing Commander Bill Anderson , it apparently went no further in the chain of command and thus was effectively ignored . Raised to squadron leader , Mackinolty was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the Coronation Honours on 11 May 1937 , in recognition of his achievements in stores and accounting . In February the following year he was promoted to wing commander . The punctilious Chief of the Air Staff , Air Vice Marshal Richard Williams , sometimes complained that Mackinolty did not pay enough attention to his personal appearance , but never failed to acknowledge his " professional excellence " . 
