Now came the task of repairing the broken tail elevator.  As the frame was undamaged, it was only necessary to straighten out a few bent supports and put new covering on.  The British official at the field showed them where to purchase the necessary silk and glue, also a good waterproof varnish for coating the covering.  From his own home he secured a pair of scissors with which to do the cutting, and John and Bob worked at the task, while Paul and Tom took on fuel and water and looked after other preparations for resuming their journey as soon as possible.