It is the place where meggie and her family move to help america win the war ww ii. The bomber plant adjacent to the airport produced the famed world war ii. Willow run village,ypsilanti michigan was home to thousands of people migrating to the area for jobs at the henry ford bomber plant. Willow run production line from willow run was an iconic wwii aircraft production factory, following the end of the war it began a difficult road into a new age in american history.
B24 liberators line the airfield at willow run airport in this june 1945 photo. And maybe it is a very forwardthinking development for. Although there was very rough beginnings for this plant it had a huge impact on ypsilanti. The consolidated b24 liberator was a 4engine, twintail heavy bomber designed by consolidated aircraft of san diego. Jul 04, 2017 soon, workers flooded into ypsilanti and the rapidly developing willow run area where makeshift row housing was hastily constructed. The willow run airport history, b24 bomber plant and. Willow run after wwii military history of the upper great lakes. Willow run bomber plant archives this day in aviation. At the turn of the century, before the second world war, ypsilanti had an active downtown area along michigan avenue. 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. The yankee air museum aims to open an amazing new national aviation attraction in the old willow run bomber plant in ypsilanti township, mi. The subtitle is also misleading, in that it seems to imply the book will be about fdr, which it is between the arsenal of democracy and go like hell, a. And there she faces questions about courage, and what it takes to go into battle, like eddie, and how to keep hope alive on the home front.
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. The willow run plant rolled out more than 8,700 b24 liberator bombers in world war ii a testament to the strength of detroits automotive industry that yankee air museum founder dennis norton wants to see preserved. Apr 29, 20 willow run is the historical name of the general area including willow run creek, which actually runs partly underneath the willow run bomber plant. It was thought to be the largest factory under one roof anywhere in the world. There she meets patches and harlan, other kids like her whose parents have come here to do their part in the war. A look at the map reveals that the old bomber plant lies snug up against the. Willow run assembly plant faces the wrecking ball hemmings. Architect albert kahn designed the main structure of the willow run bomber plant, which had 3,500,000 square feet 330,000 m2. The last b24 built was this b24m30fo liberator, 4451928, at the willow run bomber plant. Ford built 6,972 b24s in 776 days and produced kits for 1,893 more to be assembled by the other manufacturers.
You know those plants that are always trying to find the light. Apr 30, 2014 the willow run manufacturing plant, located between ypsilanti and belleville, michigan, was constructed during world war ii by the ford motor company for the mass production of the b24 liberator. A small part of the worlds largest onestory war production plant, the giant bomber factory at willow run, michigan. Your donation today will help us turn the historic willow run bomber plant into the future home of the yankee air museum. Sorensen, fords director of production during wwii conceived the idea of manufacturing the giant b24 bomber at the unbelievable rate of one per hour.
Apr 25, 2014 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. A documentary about the ypsilanti willow run airports legendary b24 bomber plant will air sunday on pbs. 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. Reprinted in 20 with the help of original edition published long back 1945. 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. Pbs to air documentary about ypsilantis legendary 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. 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. Thank you for helping us turn historic willow run into a museum. By the spring of 1944, willow run was producing a fourengine b24 bomber each hour on an assembly line. Along with the b17, the b24 formed the backbone of the allies air war over europe. 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 is what albert kahn described as the most enormous room in the history of man. Named camp willow run, after the creek that wound through its woods and.
The books are willow run, colossus of american industry, alaska, and the mighty eighth air force, world war ii. The site of the plant was a farm owned by henry ford. This was the first aircraft manufacturing complex to use fords automotive mass production technique, a leading technological innovation of the time. The ford motor companys willow run bomber plant began production in 1942 and continued until june 28, 1945. The historic willow run plant produced b24 bombers at the staggering rate of one per hour proving that america could get the job done. The b24 bomber, officially known as the b24 liberator, was designed by consolidated aircraft co. The willow run bomber plant with its incredible output of a bomberanhour, the courageous airmen of the 449th bomb group, and a b24 bomber named two ton tessie all did their part to contribute to this tactical victory, which was a turning point of the european war. The corvair and subsequent chevy and gm cars built at the willow run assembly plant never used any of the fordkaiserhydramatic production plant. There was a huge shortage in housing for all of the workers, even stories of landlords who would rent the same room to two different people, one who would work during the day and sleep at night. By march 1, 1943, the bomber plant brought in 6,491 workers from kentucky. Hope for victory rests on the wings of americas liberator, the b24 bomber. On october 31, 1945 ford published a notice that cut its workforce from 1,400 employees. Willow run assembly was a general motors automobile factory near ypsilanti, michigan, located at 2625 tyler road, in the willow run manufacturing complex.
B24 liberator bomber model numbers, production numbers and. To kick off the latest phase of their efforts, they moved three classic planes back inside the plant. The plant was passed around between several companies, who all used the enormous ground space of the plant to produce many different products. A small part of the worlds largest one story war production plant, the giant ford bomber factory at willow run, michigan. Ilwillow run bomber pjanti u airport, b24 liberator bombi story taldinjiet akbar fabbrika in ww2. Nona joins audreys crew at the willow run bomber plant outside detroit. Willow run was the physical embodiment of the ford production system which was later transformed by toyota into just.
The willow run manufacturing plant, located between ypsilanti and belleville, michigan, was constructed during world war ii by the ford motor company for the mass production of the b24 liberator the architect was albert kahn, who worked along side ford designer charles sorensen. Pilots and crews slept on 1,300 cots waiting for the b24s to roll. B24 liberator bomber model numbers, production numbers. By 1945, ford produced 70% of the b24s in two nine hour shifts. Construction on the bomber plant began in march, 1941. Oct 12, 2015 willow run plant not only included its manufacturing and assembly building, but also separate buildings for administration, flight school, oil storage and, other necessary structures. Women on the warpath 1943 inside the willow run b24 plant. Jun 27, 2017 the willow run bomber plant with its incredible output of a bomber anhour, the courageous airmen of the 449th bomb group, and a b24 bomber named two ton tessie all did their part to contribute to this tactical victory, which was a turning point of the european war.
Imagine every 55 minutes one of these babys rolled of the assembly line, a bit of world war ii history willow run is near bellville, canton and ypsilanti, michigan its amazing that one b24, with over a million parts, came off. The bomber plant adjacent to the airport produced the famed world war ii bombers in a plant built by henry ford. The willow run plant was meant to employ anywhere from 50,000 to 100,000 workers which was five to ten times the population of ypsilanti at the time. This was the first aircraft manufacturing complex to use fords automotive mass production technique, a. The willow run plant completed a b24 every 63 minutes. During that time, the ford motor company produced almost half of the b24s built8,685 out of 19,256. Willow run was the physical embodiment of the ford production system which was later transformed by toyota into just in time and lean manufacturing. Willow run is also the name of this book, which is part 2 to the story lilys crossing. Willow run is an albert kahndesigned world war ii bomber plant near ypsilanti, michigan. The willow run airport history, b24 bomber plant and airport.
It was constructed in 1941 by the ford motor company for the mass production of the b24 liberator military aircraft. Dptv documents the work to save the factory that was part of the massive willow run complex in ypsilanti that turned out a b24 bomber every hour in wwii. By the willow run, a sleepy little creek near ypsilanti, michigan, ford motor company built the worlds most famous bomber factory, which was the ultimate manifestation of the automotive industrys role in building armaments during world war ii. The outer wing panel of a bomber undergoes assembly in the giant willow run plant. Fixtures in background hold bomber wings during assembly. The willow run bomber roslin i lotniska, b24 liberator bombers story of the worlds largest factory w ww2. The b24s spacious, slabsided fuselage was built around a central bomb bay with two compartments that could accommodate up to 8,000 pounds of ordnance each. Here is his description of the visit and how he conceived the willow run bomber plant that eventually manufactured 8,800 of these aircraft. The ford motor company recruited heavily from the south. The final b24 bomber was produced at willow run plant on june 28, 1945. Willow run after wwii military history of the upper. Photograph by ann rosener for the office of war information.
Construction of the willow run bomber plant began in 1940 and was completed in 1942. Saving the willow run bomber plant detroit public tv. The title to the arsenal of democracy is a bit misleading as it seems to imply that the book is about the war production effort in general, when really it focuses narrowly on ford. The legendary b24 liberator bomber plant significant to the arsenal of democracy in wwii. Detroit the public will get the chance to visit the former willow run bomber plant in ypsilanti township, mich. Willow run is the legendary b24 bomber plant near ypsilanti, michigan, which was a focal point of the arsenal of democracy during wwii. Willow run assembly consisted of an assembly plant of 2. He had used the farm to provide employment for youths during the summer. May 02, 2014 the willow run bomber plant was conceived of in 1940, and, for the most part, built in 1941 prior to pearl harbor, in expectation of war. Advanced assembly includes riveting and drilling the nose of the bomber made in the giant willow run plant. Ben has also written a movie script about the mighty eighty air force which is in production as of 422012.
As soon as a section of the plant was completed, the manufacture of parts for the bombers was started. B24 bomber in flight, willow run bomber plant, 1944. So read lilys crossing first before you read willow run. The willow run bomber plant was the focal point of the entire arsenal of democracy, norton said. Willow run will be the greatest adventure ever, meggie thinks. Wwii riveters return one last time to bomber plant. Sorenson, the plants designer and builder was nominated and. 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. The yankee air museum and the yankee air museum foundation are 501c3 nonprofit organizations. Thats when the derisive term ypsitucky was first heard. Willow run reference book 1945 hardcover willow run bomber plant on. 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. 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.
N orthea st of town, there was a thriving business district called depot town. Willow run, also known as air force plant 31, was a manufacturing complex in michigan. But no project captured the publics imagination like willow run, where ford motor company built one b24 liberator airplane every 63 minutes. The willow run book covers the building of the willow run b24 liberator factory near detroit. Jan 01, 2011 at its peak, willow run produced 650 b24s per month by 1944.
The willow run bomber augalu ir oro uostas, b24 liberator bombonesis story of the worlds largest gamyklos ww2. Willow run bomber plant changes ypsilanti forever original threestory ypsilanti depot station. As a longtime supporter of yankee air museums campaign to save the willow run bomber plant, ive heard and collected many stories from wwii rosie the riveters, veterans, and people who have worked at willow run over the years. Mar 09, 20 a documentary about the ypsilanti willow run airports legendary b24 bomber plant will air sunday on pbs. Originally 975 acres of farmland owned by henry ford, the site was developed by the ford motor company into. Postcard image via jalopy journal while the effort to save a portion of the willow run assembly plant has come down to its final week, demolition crews have already torn down about half of the former kaiserfrazer and gm structure outside of ypsilanti, michigan, to make way for an autonomous vehicle research facility. Henry ford already owned most of the 3,000 acres of farmland, straddling the two counties, that would soon comprise the colossal plant with its milelong assembly line, adjacent willow run airport, and a us. The former willow run bomber plant in ypsilanti township built by henry ford to make planes for the u. Willow run bomber plant video good video with sound built ford tough is where ford originally created this slogan. The willow run bomber plant og flyplassen, b24 liberator bombefly story av verdens strste fabrikk i ww2. Shes left her home in kentucky to do her bit, and buys all the war bonds she can. Ford motor company, like virtually all of the united states. Maybe they were planted in a location that didnt necessarily facilitate growth, but inexplicably they make a circuitous route to not only survive but bloom into a beautiful plant. On april 18,1941, the first ground was broken to start construction of the bomber plant.
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. Its first flight was on december 29, 1939, and it began service in 1941. When meggies father moves to willow run to take a job building planes, meggie desperately misses her home. The l shaped building in the center was the main factory, enclosing 2. 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. Apr 30, 2014 ford plant willow run willowrun aircraft plant. If you love rosie, please help preserve her legacy for future generations by donating to.
Willow run assembly plant demolition proceeding hemmings. Jun 28, 2019 ford built 6,972 b24s in 776 days and produced kits for 1,893 more to be assembled by the other manufacturers. When finished, this section will be removed and cranes will install another section in the fixture. Open spaces will be fitted with a form of plexiglas to give the bombardier a complete wideangle view. Michigan united states washtenaw county willow run willow run, 1942. Willow run assembly plant demolition proceeding hemmings daily. Willow run airport was built as part of the bomber plant. Michigan united states washtenaw county willow run. Pictured here is the willow run bomber plant and its adjacent airfield in 1945. Willow run bomber plant sold not sure how to relate this to detroit, although i guess if something autorelated happens within oakland county, why not something out west at the edge of washtenaw county.
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