B-25 Bomber Plant, Kansas City KS - 01 - Assembly Line - North American Aviation, 1944
The assembly line, circa 1944. After leaving the factory, the aircraft were taken to the paint hangar for washing and application of external markings, including insignia and the serial number, which was applied to the vertical tail.
Consistent with aircraft plants then under construction, the Kansas City plant was built of steel and concrete without windows so work could continue in blackout conditions, making it necessary to air-condition the massive building. Constant temperature would minimize expansion and contraction of metal, ensuring a better fit.
The Kansas City B-25 factory was a hastily constructed plant that produced 6,608 bombers during World War II. In four short years, it was over. B-25 production was abruptly halted on August 17, 1945, when it became evident that the capitulation of the Japanese was imminent. In November 1945, the official North American Aviation, Inc. of Kansas workforce would number zero. On December 1, 1945, General Motors took occupancy of the vacated plant. The first automobile rolled off the line in June 1946.
Read more: www.airspacemag.com/military-aviation/kansas-city-b-25-fa...
B-25 Bomber Plant, Kansas City KS - 01 - Assembly Line - North American Aviation, 1944
The assembly line, circa 1944. After leaving the factory, the aircraft were taken to the paint hangar for washing and application of external markings, including insignia and the serial number, which was applied to the vertical tail.
Consistent with aircraft plants then under construction, the Kansas City plant was built of steel and concrete without windows so work could continue in blackout conditions, making it necessary to air-condition the massive building. Constant temperature would minimize expansion and contraction of metal, ensuring a better fit.
The Kansas City B-25 factory was a hastily constructed plant that produced 6,608 bombers during World War II. In four short years, it was over. B-25 production was abruptly halted on August 17, 1945, when it became evident that the capitulation of the Japanese was imminent. In November 1945, the official North American Aviation, Inc. of Kansas workforce would number zero. On December 1, 1945, General Motors took occupancy of the vacated plant. The first automobile rolled off the line in June 1946.
Read more: www.airspacemag.com/military-aviation/kansas-city-b-25-fa...