Detroit Free Press from Detroit, Michigan • Page 5

THE DETROIT FREE PRESS SUNDAY. FEBRUARY 14. 1943 5 W' akes Photographic Report on Progress I wards Full Production Willow rcun PART ONE v. miiir i 42 Khr ow. jr -l" "f-r "-XJ -Sue-- 3 Hi- ml.l'!! 'liU-.

lli i.M1 Vm-ii ntl Sil ihnnimami.irntirm.M.im lf(til timwiOktm i 4 11 Tt xess man two vears alter erouna wag DroKen ior me immense rora bomber plant at Willow Run. a constant stream of sub-assemblies for Fn Press Photot points throughout the country, add up to a considerable threat to Axis ambitions. In this portion of the plant fuselage sections take form in increasing numbers. Late summer, according to officials, should see the plant approaching full production, figures concerning which are a closely guarded military Ilw-V" I four-engmed B-24 bombers is flowing out of the miles of assembly lines WK4f -T'tr the Pant- Added to the number of complete bombers that have taken "'Y wing from the airfield next to the factory these parts, assembled at other 1 I i I Jftft e-l. 1 If i 5 sripr-n fc mnwns 1 This is one-of the type of bombers that will wing their way from the plant at Willow Run to rain destruction on the nerve centers of aggression in all parts of the world.

Improvements in design during the past year have added to mass production problems. fF- 4 1T r. iw ft ft ll It vVi I i Jarful v. I -J 1 4 -4 s' si 14. i 5 i Men and women workers drive home the rivets that lace a bomber fuselage into a completed whole, ready for assembly.

Workers at the Willow Run plant swarm over the interior of a fuselage section to make delicate installations. uwfwwti urn 7 .1 iij.i in Itanium i mum mj i in, ijniumn i j.l i i. niuiijw. 1111 i i iiui i I I limu. -wr, Ci Vy o'rV- i- i v.

i i Vrtttoiv i 7, Doubting Thomases who feared that bomber construction was too big a proposition for automobile production methods have their answer in this impressive array of gathering parts and gadgets as they move slowly down a vast corridor toward the testing field of the Willow Run plant. Skilled fingers seal in an important compartment with a glass substitute which gives maximum light and safety. Framework of the bomber's nose takes shape on a line devoted exclusively to its production in quantity and strength. '1 -V jr: -i it I ki 1 ii. i.

4. i'ftses IF A 1 5 3 i i i vJi W71 I 1 Wings for the battle craft are handled quickly and efficiently as they approach completion. When the plant was laid out, parts and sub-assemblies were the only output contemplated. Complete bombers were added to the program and several dozen have been delivered to the Army Air Force. The complicated innards of one of the plane's four powerful motors hold no mysteries for these well-trained workers.

The tremendous power of the B-24 Consolidated is typified by landing gear that dwarfs a busy crew of war.