The historic willow run plant produced b24 bombers at the staggering rate of one per hour proving that america could get the job done. Regarding the building being lshaped, the wikipedia article on willow run tells the story better than i can. Willow run is what albert kahn described as the most enormous room in the history of man. Nona joins audreys crew at the willow run bomber plant outside detroit. The willow run plant featured a large turntable twothirds of the way along the assembly line, allowing the b24. Architect albert kahn designed the main structure of the willow run bomber plant, which had 3,500,000 square feet of factory space, and an aircraft assembly line over a mile long. This was the first aircraft manufacturing complex to use fords automotive mass production technique, a. Willow run bomber plant air traffic control tower, 1943 the.
Women on the warpath 1943 inside the willow run b24 plant. As a part of developing new exhibits and programs when the former willow run bomber plant becomes the future new home of the yankee air musem, were asking you to share your recollections, personal snapshots, and family stories about willow run. In a strategic campaign, the airplanes and their crews attacked factories, railroads, harbors and as the war progressed cities in. Oct 23, 20 henry fords bomber plant being torn down. Book an air adventure on one of our five historic aircraft and take a ride into history. Here is his description of the visit and how he conceived the willow run bomber plant that eventually manufactured 8,800 of these aircraft. Fixtures in background hold bomber wings during assembly. May 02, 2014 there are many rumors around town about why fords willow run wwii b24 assembly line takes a 90degree turn at the end, enabling the finished bombers to exit the plant on the washtenaw side of the county line but heres the real story. Welcome to our web based program covering bomber city the story of willow run. With its carefully orchestrated production lines mangled beyond recognition, the willow run gm powertrain plant sits as the discarded exoskeleton of. Construction of the willow run bomber plant began in 1940 and was completed in 1942. The remaining four hours were used to restock parts and change tooling. With tremendous assistance from the yankee air museum, this book presents a pictorial history of willow run during world war ii. Willow run is the historical name of the general area including willow run creek, which actually runs partly underneath the willow run bomber plant.
Jun 25, 2015 architect albert kahn designed the main structure of the willow run bomber plant, which had 3,500,000 square feet 330,000 m2 of factory space, and an aircraft assembly line over a mile long. Willow run, also known as air force plant 31, was a manufacturing complex in michigan. Willow run reference book third edition compiled by members of plant guide staff february 1, 1945 extract from espionage act the enclosed information is strictly confidential and should be regarded as such. The author warren benjamin kidder was a personal friend of henry and edsel ford. However, the construction of all of those speed parts and aftermarket upgrades combined pales in comparison to the scale.
Ford motor company built 8,685 b24 bomber airplanes at its willow run, michigan, plant during world war ii. Made by the ford motor company during wwii, the story of willow run explains the companys role in. Along with the b17, the b24 formed the backbone of the allies air war over europe. Rosie the riveter book schools young readers on feminist icon. By mid1944, the willow run assembly plant was producing one b24 per houraccounting for half of all b24s assembled that year. Over the course of the war, the hospital handled more than two million medical cases. The willow run bomber plant had many problems at startup, due in part to the mindsets and technical skills of both management and labor, who were each accustomed to the requirements of auto production, finding it difficult at first to adapt to the higher precision required in aircraft production. Full online access to this resource is only available at the library of congress. The ford motor companys willow run bomber plant began production in 1942 and continued until june 28, 1945. Sorensen is the genius who created the willow run b24 liberator manufacturing plant. Women were half of the 42,000person workforce in world war ii when the willow run bomber plant produced a b24 bomber at the astonishing rate of one each hour. Henry ford at willow run bomber plant construction site, 1941.
Despite how smoothly the plant ran, putting out a bomber an hour still wasnt an easy feat. World war ii was a time when all americans pulled together to join with their allies and literally save the world. By the spring of 1944, willow run was producing a fourengine b24 bomber each hour on an assembly line. Frances, who is 91, worked at the plant during wwii, making b24 liberator bombers on the assembly line. Willow run bomber plant air traffic control tower, 1943. A woman marks a bombardier enclosure for a b24 liberator bomber at the ford willow run plant. Blanche mericle, 95, of belleville as the bay doors opened. Mar 28, 2017 how detroit went from motor city to the arsenal of democracy. A big job for little people at willow run s b24 liberator assembly plant. By the end of the war, ford had pushed 8,865 b24 heavy bombers out the willow run doors for the army. The yankee air museum is proud to present this documentary, produced by stone bridge productions, to preserve the memory of those heroic women and men workers, visionaries, and innovators who served there. Completed in 1941, the plant was the largest factory in the world under a single roof. This was the first aircraft manufacturing complex to use fords automotive mass production technique, a leading technological innovation of the time.
At the turn of the century, before the second world war, ypsilanti had an active downtown area along michigan avenue. Shop here and support our campaign to save the willow run bomber plant. Library of congress this was the situation that greeted lindbergh, the. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that delivers new. Michigans original rosie the riveters honored during. Ben has also written a movie script about the mighty eighty air force which is in production as of 422012. A great place to touch, feel, and interact with some of the most amazing aircraft throughout aviation history. Willow run is an albert kahndesigned world war ii bomber plant near ypsilanti, michigan. At its peak, willow run, which used the ford motor co. All formats, books, video, music, audiobooks, magazines, downloads, tools. The yankee airforce plans a final tour this weekend before they demolish the biggest plant under one roof in the worldso they used to say. A portion of the eastern end of the willow run plant would be preserved, and along with part of willow run airport s hangar building, become the new home of the yankee air museum. Detroit the public will get the chance to visit the former willow run bomber plant in ypsilanti township, mich. How detroit went from motor city to the arsenal of democracy.
The willow run airport history, b24 bomber plant and airport. The following pages tells about this great factory and production plant where the ww2 b24 liberator was built which uses many references from this book. Historic world war ii factory that built over 8,600 b24 liberator bombers between 1941 and 1945, and employed over 42,000 workers, at least of which were women. This factory came to be one of the most impressive manufacturing accomplishments of. An absolutely riveting read from cover to cover, the liberators of willow run clearly showcases author marianne k. The final design was lshaped because of some problems with easements for adjacent property. The arsenal of democracy and millions of other books are available for instant access.
Ben was the last person to live on the willow run property before his house was torn down in order to make the willow run b24 liberator bomber factory, the largest factory ever built. Yankee air museum where history takes flight willow run. The story of the yankee air museum begins in 1941 when willow run airport was built by the ford motor company to serve as an airfield for their b24 bomber plant. At its peak in 1944, the factory produced one plane every 63 minutes. There she meets patches and harlan, other kids like her from faroff places whose parents have come here to do their part in the war. Arsenal of democracy story map this web based story map tour integrates images of the willow run bomber plant, b24 bombers and rosie the riveter, and goes beyond popular history to give a glimpse of everyday life for those who participated in the war effort in the ypsilanti region. Aia huron valley is pleased to host a tour on thursday october 25th of the historic willow run bomber plant that will be the new home of the yankee air museum. In a strategic campaign, the airplanes and their crews attacked factories, railroads, harbors and as the war progressed cities in germany, italy and occupied france. At its peak, willow run produced 650 b24s per month by 1944. A true story of the production of the b24 liberator and the building of the willow run airport bomber plant.
Photo, print, drawing willow run bomber plant, mich. From bolts and headers to carburetors and sway bars, its fascinating to see workers transform raw materials into the parts we use on our cars and trucks every day. Michigan air museum yankee air museum southeast michigan. The willow run book covers the building of the willow run b24 liberator factory near detroit. Part of willow run bomber plant will be open to the public saturday. Aug 05, 2018 womens march inspires rosie the riveter book for young readers. B24 liberator bombers story of the worlds largest factory in ww2. B24 liberator willow run assembly plant in michigan run. The b24 bomber, officially known as the b24 liberator, was designed by consolidated aircraft co. John schuyler and i bet all those who worked in the plant and made money.
Willow run was the physical embodiment of the ford production system which was later transformed by toyota into just in time and lean manufacturing. Shes left her home in kentucky to do her bit, and buys all the war bonds she can. A portion of the eastern end of the willow run plant would be preserved, and along with part of willow run airports hangar building, become the new home of the yankee air museum. Ford motor company would erect a plant that could yield a bomber an hour. Willow run assembly plant demolition proceeding hemmings daily.
Most of the bombers left willow run under their own power, requiring an onsite airport. The willow run memories project save the bomber plant. The conference will start this saturday, october 26 at 11. The willow run airport history, b24 bomber plant and. Theyd called him crazy in 1896, too, but ford ignored the naysayers, pushing past obstacles and failures until his gasolinepowered horseless carriage rolled down the streets of detroit.
Colossus of american industry page 5 click here the little people of willow run are big people in the world of aviation. By the willow run, a sleepy little creek near ypsilanti, michigan, ford motor company built the world s most famous bomber factory, which was the ultimate manifestation of the automotive industry s role in building armaments during world war ii. Working with skill and precision, these women operate a spot welding machine in the largest single story building in the world, fords giant bomber plant at willow run, michigan. Jul 04, 2017 willow run bomber plant changes ypsilanti forever original threestory ypsilanti depot station. Willow run, colossus of american industry, written by warren benjamin kidder. A real rosie working on a gun sight alignment at willow run. How fords willow run assembly plant helped win world war. Willow run colossus of american industry by warren benjamin kidder. Steady of eye and hand, women workers at the great willow run bomber plant are among those throughout the country who are relieving serious shortages of skilled workers by doing such semiskilled jobs as the one shown here.
The willow run airport, situated about 30 minutes outside of ann arbor, is home to the yankee air museum and was home to the willow run bomber plant, which produced bomber planes during wwii, between 1942 and 1945. The books are willow run, colossus of american industry, alaska, and the mighty eighth air force, world war ii. Although there was very rough beginnings for this plant it had a huge impact on ypsilanti. To care for the plant s workforce, willow run maintained an onsite hospital with eight doctors, 40 nurses, and a dentist. Willow run is the legendary b24 bomber plant near ypsilanti, michigan, which was a focal point of the arsenal of democracy during wwii. The willow run bomber plant was the largest factory in the world under a single. Built by the ford motor company, it was used to build b24 liberator bombers. Willow run during wwii the willow run bomber plant located near ypsilanti, michigan was the largest factory under one roof in the world. How detroit factories retooled during wwii to defeat.
Summary young men assembling outer wing panel of bomber. Some 40,000 employees, mostly women, turned out b24 bombers at the rate of one every 55 minutes. Detroit defied reality to help win world war ii united. Willow run will be the greatest adventure ever, meggie thinks. Originally 975 acres of farmland owned by henry ford, the site was developed by the ford motor company into. Willow run is always trotted out as exhibit a in the transformation of lower michigan into the worlds arsenal of democracy. This book is the story of the run up to the war, how the ford family handled requests for. Tuesday hangout when a car company makes planes 102219. By 1945, ford produced 70% of the b24s in two nine hour shifts.
Martins genuine flair for creating a memorable novel that will linger in the mind and memory long after the book itself has been finished and set back upon the shelf. In january 1941, ford executives were invited to visit consolidated aircraft in. The total number of b24s built at willow run was 8,685 and during peak production in early 1944, one bomber per hour was produced. Henry fords bomber plant being torn down usa today. Dennis norton, founder of the yankee air museum, and randy hotton, the museums former director, talk about the history of the willow run bomber plant, and why the museum is trying to rescue this. Willow run assembly plant demolition proceeding hemmings. B24 liberator willow run assembly plant in michigan run by. R osies place of employment the willow run bomber plant, an hour west of detroit is as important to her story as the famous artwork that depicts her. Give the gift of adventure with a gift card that can be applied to fly on one of our beautifully restored world war two bombers, or feel the past while flying in the c47 hairless joe, or travel back to the gilded age with a flight in our open air cockpit, the waco biplane. The willow run airport history, b24 bomber plant and airport construction. Save the willow run bomber plant landmark amazing local history in ww ii effort duration. It was constructed in 1941 by the ford motor company for the mass production of the b24 liberator military aircraft.
Building the b24 bomber during wwii story of willow run 74182. Apr 25, 2014 regarding the building being lshaped, the wikipedia article on willow run tells the story better than i can. To advance the program click on the continue located on each page. The corvair and subsequent chevy and gm cars built at the willow run assembly plant never used any of the fordkaiserhydramatic production plant. Dennis norton, founder of the yankee air museum, will host the tour. Willow run was made into a city almost overnight as ford ramped up to meet the. The airport and its crew could accommodate up to 20 takeoffs an hour. Contributor names richie, robert yarnall, photographer created published. Watch fords willow run plant churn out a b24 every 55. Part of willow run bomber plant will be open to the public.
The willow run bomber plant made aviation, industrial and social historyalong with new b24s by the hour. Willow run airport was built as part of the bomber plant. We were delighted to discover real, elderly rosie the riveter frances attending the open house at the willow run bomber plant that followed the arsenal of democracy conference. Willow run, also known as air force plant 31, was a manufacturing complex in michigan, located between ypsilanti township and belleville, constructed by the ford motor company for the mass production of aircraft, especially the b24 liberator heavy bomber. During that time, the ford motor company produced almost half of the b24s built8,685 out of 19,256. B24 bomber in flight, willow run bomber plant, 1944.
Start at the yankee air museum at 4 pm, on d street, off beck road, east side of willow run. Building the b24 bomber during wwii story of willow run. Historic plane rides yankee air museum southeast michigan. Part of the tour lead them to a hidden room within the facility. Willow run is a book that was written by my friend warren benjamin kidder about the b24 liberator, ww2 bomber production plant and airport near detroit michigan.
The plant featured an assembly line which was a mile long and included a unique 90 degree turn. Feb 25, 2011 a tour of the plant where ford built b 24 liberator bombers during wwii. During world war ii, the ypsilanti factory became a worldwide symbol of. Albert kahn, a prominent industrial architect translated sorensens sketches into bricks and mortar. Save the willow run bomber plant organized an event in 2014 that set a record mark that recognized nearly 800 rosies. Architect albert kahn designed the main structure of the willow run bomber plant, which had 3,500,000 square feet 330,000 m2 of factory space, and an aircraft assembly line over a mile long. Fixtures in background hold bomber wings during assembly at fords vast willow run plant during world war ii. Group draws 2,097 people in effort to regain rosies record. Willow run willow run was built in 1941 after the ford motor company came to an agreement with the federal government to start building b24 bombers. The willow run bomber plant was completed in 1941, and it was the largest factory in the world under a single roof. It was thought to be the largest factory under one roof anywhere in the world. See 1 photo and 1 tip from 7 visitors to willow run bomber plant.
Michigans yankee air museum celebrates rosie the riveter. The public will get the chance to visit the former willow run bomber plant in ypsilanti township one last time saturday before the factory is demolished. Yankee air museums historic plane rides feature the b17 yankee lady and b25 yankee warrior bombers, the c47 hairless joe skytrain, the uh1 huey, and the openair cockpit waco biplane. Critics chided henry ford for declaring his willow run bomber plant could turn out a b24 liberator heavy bomber every hour. I was just somebody who came down from up north to work in the bomber plant so that i could have some money, said virginia basler, who worked at the willow run plant. To attend you have to preregister by calling the yankee air museum 7344834030. We are raising funds for our campaign to save the willow run bomber plant near ypsilanti, michigan, to become the future new home of the yankee air museum. Construction on the willow run bomber plant began that spring and it soon became the largest factory under one roof in the world. A small part of the worlds largest onestory war production plant, the giant bomber factory at willow run, michigan.
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