Very interesting and well-written. Sounds like you will be a great help to the local people there.
One grammar comment I'll add. (I hesitate to say this, because I make grammar mistakes myself! But you asked for any constructive criticism...)
"It could only make about 100 knots when loaded, and had an awful rate of climb."
There should not be a comma after the word "loaded."
Your article is great, so please only take this as encouragement!
PBBBTTT!!!
The use of a comma there is optional.
"We had ham, eggs, and cheese" is every bit as correct as "We had ham, eggs and cheese," although the former now seems archaic.
Although the increasing complexity of the English language has led to commas having certain very formal roles, such as breaks between clauses, a comma initially simply indicated an appopriate place to breathe when reading out loud. That initial purpose is a perfectly acceptable reason to use the less common of the two uses of commas in a list.
OK, I was just reminded of inappropriate use of a comma:
Best pa.in re,liever ev er G.et cod,eine an.d oth.er pop,ula-r me,ds half o.ff
Teachers pet...lol