At the time that Sportsman was built (1941 – ’42) most US aluminum was being turned into airplane parts. Two thirds of which were being quickly shipped to England. This resulted in a severe aluminum shortage. To keep up production, some parts were made of Bakelite, some brass or coper, some even reverted to cast iron. That Bakelite starter housing is VERY rare. Most from that era have been broken. Bakelite propellers never made it through testing. That they were considered showed real desperation . . . 😀
