Brian, the metal templates were used as part of a process which allowed accurate reproduction of a pattern for cutting / forming of many identical metal components, it involved a form of photo etching and lithography. This was in the days before CNC machines and water jet / laser jet cutters.

The concrete formers were used in sheet metal stretch presses which both pulled and stamped the metal at the same time, mainly used for skins etc. reinforced concrete was used as a ‘lowcost’ method of producing tooling for limited runs of parts, sometimes just one offs. The process is still used today in low volume & prototype applications, although now the media used can even be a reinforced plastic rather than concrete.

Thanks for that Jagx204 explains a lot.

Brian