The American Aircraft Factory in World War II

Description

Few, if any, industrial phenomena have been as dramatic as the United States' mid-20th-century shift from peacetime manufacturing to wartime production. While the years 1939 to 1945 saw explosive growth in the manufacture of every type of armament imaginable, none was more emblematic of the industrial climate than the proliferation of aircraft factories. Zeroing in on the crux of the American military-industrial complex at a critical moment, this volume documents the production of fighters and bombers by legendary companies like Boeing, North American, Curtiss, Consolidated, Douglas, Grumman, and Lockheed. Illustrated with 175 period photographs - including 50 rare color photos never before seen in print - "The American Aircraft Factory in World War II" conveys the incredible acceleration of aviation technology that took place during this period. Author, Bill Yenne considers the various pre-war governmental acts that got the ball rolling, as well as the notable gender shift that occurred on factory floors. He also describes the construction of mega factories like Willow Run, factory-design considerations, and the post-war conversion back to peacetime production.

Bill Yenne is the San Francisco-based author of more than two dozen books on military, aviation, and historical topics. A regular contributor to "International Air Power Review," he has written histories of Boeing, Convair, Lockheed, McDonnell Douglas, and North American Aviation. His other works include "Attack of the Drones: A History of Unmanned Aerial Combat"; "Secret Weapons of the Cold War"; "Secret Weapons of World War II"; "The History of the U.S. Air Force"; and "SAC: A Primer of Strategic Air Power." Yenne was also a contributor and aviation consultant to "The Simon & Schuster D-Day Encyclopedia," and worked with legendary U.S. Air Force commander General Curtis E. LeMay to produce "Superfortress: The B-29 and American Airpower in World War II."

"FlyPast, "December 2006 " Lavishly illustrated, landscape-format tribute to the huge US war machine that churned out over 304,000 aircraft between 1939 and 1945. The format and large size of this book was dictated by sheer scale and drama of the illustrations within. Incredible views of production lines are balanced with images of countless ' Rosie the Riveters' at work, plus engineers, test pilots and designers. Pictures are mostly black and white, but with good amounts of color-- all spectacularly reproduced. The author knits a careful narrative around the imagery." "WWII History," March 2007 " No story is more emblematic of the all-out industrial effort that that of the American aircraft industry. And no book captures that effort better than this handsome, oversized work by Bill Yenne. Using 125 exquisitely detailed black-and-white photos and 50 color shots, Yenne captures the hustle, bustle, and sheer muscle that was required to turn steel and aluminum into the legendary aircraft of the day-- the fighters, transports, and bombers-- that helped win the war. The stunning collection of photographs takes the reader onto the famous assembly lines at Boeing, Consolidated, Douglas, GM, Vultee, Martin, Lockheed, and many others, and shows the tremendous amount of work and dedication that went into the manufacture of each aircraft. This beautiful book is truly a magnificent tribute to the men and women who toiled round the clock in the war plants at home so that our boys overseas had the tools of war they needed. All Aviation buffs will want this one." "Aviation History, "March 2007 " Bill Yenne keeps his reputation for consistent quality in his nostalgic book "The American Aircraft Factory in World War II.".. Yenne supports his text with an amazing collection of photographs, a few familiar to aviation buffs, but many others seen here for the first time. This compilation clearly represents an extensive research effort. All in all, "The American Aircraft Factory in World War II "tells the story of how the United States and its diverse population responded to a crisis in a positive manner, one that benefited the world in their day-- and which may also serve to inspire new generations." Midwest Book Review, December 2006 " An eye-catching, outstanding production." "Aviation History, "March 2007 "Bill Yenne keeps his reputation for consistent quality in his nostalgic book "The American Aircraft Factory in World War II,.".Yenne supports his text with an amazing collection of photographs, a few familiar to aviation buffs, but many others seen here for the first time. This compilation clearly represents an extensive research effort. All in all, "The American Aircraft Factory in World War II "tells the story of how the United States and its diverse population responded to a crisis in a positive manner, one that benefited the world in their day--and which may also serve to inspire new generations." Midwest Book Review, December 2006 "An eye-catching, outstanding production." "FlyPast, "December 2006 "Lavishly illustrated, landscape-format tribute to the huge US war machine that churned out over 304,000 aircraft between 1939 and 1945. The format and large size of this book was dictated by sheer scale and drama of the illustrations within. Incredible views of production lines are balanced with images of countless 'Rosie the Riveters' at work, plus engineers, test pilots and designers. Pictures are mostly black and white, but with good amounts of color--all spectacularly reproduced. The author knits a careful narrative around the imagery." "WWII History," March 2007 "No story is more emblematic of the all-out industrial effort that that of the American aircraft industry. And no book captures that effort better than this handsome, oversized work by Bill Yenne. Using 125 exquisitely detailed black-and-white photos and 50 color shots, Yenne captures the hustle, bustle, and sheer muscle that was required to turn steel and aluminum into the legendary aircraft of the day--the fighters, transports, and bombers--that helped win the war. The stunning collection of photographs takes the reader onto the famous assembly lines at Boeing, Consolidated, Douglas, GM, Vultee, Martin, Lockheed, and many others, and shows the tremendous amount of work and dedication that went into the manufacture of each aircraft. This beautiful book is truly a magnificent tribute to the men and women who toiled round the clock in the war plants at home so that our boys overseas had the tools of war they needed. All Aviation buffs will want this one." In Flight "USA," "January 2007 "Yenne, one of the best present-day chroniclers of aviation history, ably merges text and images to give a sense of the efficiency and even beauty of American 'Yankee' ingenuity at its best. The text is crisp and efficient, but the images are what give the book its edge. From the early images of aviation workers in full suits and ties to the surprising color shots of factory workers, the book underlines the glamour and, dare I say, coolness of a bygone era." "Aviation History, "March 2007"Bill Yenne keeps his reputation for consistent quality in his nostalgic book "The American Aircraft Factory in World War II"...Yenne supports his text with an amazing collection of photographs, a few familiar to aviation buffs, but many others seen here for the first time. This compilation clearly represents an extensive research effort. All in all, "The American Aircraft Factory in World War II "tells the story of how the United States and its diverse population responded to a crisis in a positive manner, one that benefited the world in their day--and which may also serve to inspire new generations."Midwest Book Review, December 2006"An eye-catching, outstanding production." "FlyPast, "December 2006"Lavishly illustrated, landscape-format tribute to the huge US war machine that churned out over 304,000 aircraft between 1939 and 1945. The format and large size of this book was dictated by sheer scale and drama of the illustrations within. Incredible views of production lines are balanced with images of countless 'Rosie the Riveters' at work, plus engineers, test pilots and designers. Pictures are mostly black and white, but with good amounts of color--all spectacularly reproduced. The author knits a careful narrative around the imagery.""WWII History, " March 2007"No story is more emblematic of the all-out industrial effort that that of the American aircraft industry. And no book captures that effort better than this handsome, oversized work by Bill Yenne. Using 125 exquisitely detailed black-and-white photos and 50 color shots, Yenne captures the hustle, bustle, and sheer muscle that was required to turn steel and aluminum into the legendary aircraft of the day--the fighters, transports, and bombers--that helped win the war. The stunning collection of photographs takes the reader onto the famous assembly lines at Boeing, Consolidated, Douglas, GM, Vultee, Martin, Lockheed, and many others, and shows the tremendous amount of work and dedication that went into the manufacture of each aircraft. This beautiful book is truly a magnificent tribute to the men and women who toiled round the clock in the war plants at home so that our boys overseas had the tools of war they needed. All Aviation buffs will want this one." In Flight "USA", "January 2007 "Yenne, one of the best present-day chroniclers of aviation history, ably merges text and images to give a sense of the efficiency and even beauty of American 'Yankee' ingenuity at its best. The text is crisp and efficient, but the images are what give the book its edge. From the early images of aviation workers in full suits and ties to the surprising color shots of factory workers, the book underlines the glamour and, dare I say, coolness of a bygone era." In Flight "USA," "January 2007 "Yenne, one of the best present-day chroniclers of aviation history, ably merges text and images to give a sense of the efficiency and even beauty of American 'Yankee' ingenuity at its best. The text is crisp and efficient, but the images are what give the book its edge. From the early images of aviation workers in full suits and ties to the surprising color shots of factory workers, the book underlines the glamour and, dare I say, coolness of a bygone era." In Flight "USA," "January 2007 " Yenne, one of the best present-day chroniclers of aviation history, ably merges text and images to give a sense of the efficiency and even beauty of American ' Yankee' ingenuity at its best. The text is crisp and efficient, but the images are what give the book its edge. From the early images of aviation workers in full suits and ties to the surprising color shots of factory workers, the book underlines the glamour and, dare I say, coolness of a bygone era." "Midwest Book Review, November 2006" "An eye-catching, outstanding production."