A new B-24 every 55 minutes

[Martin Edwards]

Thanks to Mike Mirkovic for pointing out his gem of a film showiing Ford's wartime Willow Run production facility churning out a brand new B-24 Liberator every 55 minutes.
I bet the hard working crew at Werribee are jealous!

http://xa.yimg.com/kq/groups/15654030/1604...omber_plant.wmv

[Brendan Cowan]

Imagine achieving a production rate like that today!

:o

BC

[herkman]

It should be understood that Ford also produced kits for other plants to build B24's.
When you consider that the centre section is some 68 feet long and would have been overwidth on the tray, moving these kits was some task.

They were carried to the plants on special tucks that ran through the night. Also for developed a program that allowed eight main spars to be machined and drilled at the same time.
for on line modifications but the aircraft had to go to depots to be made fully combacy ready.

Ford massive production total was great but would have been even greater if the contract had allowed.

The reason by the way why the factory was L shaped was to keep that end of the factory out of the next county where the tax rates were less favourable.

Regards

Col

[Martin Edwards]

An interesting comment from Phantom

If the production of some 18400 at the rate of one every 55 minutes is impressive, the destruction of them must be as well.
Mostly all melted out of existence by 1950 and with now some fourteen still around intact today