All Photos

On North American's outdoor assembly line, two employees prepare a B-25 for paint, wiping off paint and chalk marks, etc.

Inglewood, United States

In the contract test flight department, the secretary records each flight as they are made by company test pilots

Inglewood, United States

A partial view of the outside assembly line at North American Aviation. Ideal weather allows California factories to work outdoors. This is called the "Sunshine Assembly Line"'

Inglewood, United States

Wood wheels are placed on fighters as they move down the assembly line and onto the flight ramp. When the ships are ready for flight, rubber wheels are attached, and the wood goes back to the assembly line

Inglewood, United States

Kansas City, Kansas. B-25 bombers lined up at North American Aviation, Inc., almost ready for their first test flight

Kansas City, United States

Kansas City, Kansas. B-25 bombers and tractors that haul them on the assembly line at North American Aviation, Inc. The planes are ready for their first test flight

Kansas City, United States

Thousands of North American employees gather on the flight ramp during their lunch hour to see a special performance of the planes they built

Inglewood, United States

airplane

A North American P-51 fighter is cleaned by painters before receiving the olive drab paint of the United States Army Air Forces

Inglewood, United States

Captain B.R. Eckstein, Army Air Force's representative at North American climbs into a P-51 Mustang fighter for a final test before acceptance by the Army Air Force

Inglewood, United States

A mill operator in North American Aviation's huge machine shop turns out another of the thousands of parts for modern combat planes. All scrap metal is sent to salvage plant

Inglewood, United States

machine shop

Inside the fuselage of a North American P-51 fighter, this woman employee assembles an electrical switch box

Inglewood, United States

Rudder controls are assembled by men and women on North American Aviation's P-51 fighter final assembly line

Inglewood, United States

Land gear struts for the tail wheel of North America's P-51 Mustang fighter are checked before leaving for the final assembly line

Inglewood, United States

On the final assembly line at North American Aviation, men and women work together adjusting the controls of P-51 Mustang fighters for the United States Army Air Forces

Inglewood, United States

Final installations are made on a North American P-51 Mustang fighter on the final assembly line

Inglewood, United States

A huge motor for a North American B-25 bomber is given a last check in the motor department before moving to final assembly. Other motors are Allisons for P-51

Inglewood, United States

A woman employee on the P-51 Mustang fighter assembly line at North American Aviation adjusts the engine controls before the plane moves down the assembly floor

Inglewood, United States

Delicate instruments are mounted on instrument panels by this North American woman employee

Inglewood, United States

In North American foundry, kirksite is poured into a mould

Inglewood, United States

In North American's foundry, kirksite is poured into a mould to be used in press to shape plane parts

Inglewood, United States

In the carpenter shop at North American, women employees assemble wood parts for B-25's and P-51 combat ships

Inglewood, United States

These two women employees in North American's wood shop run a planer

Inglewood, United States

Every payday, checks are passed out to employees at their work. This prevents employees standing in long lines after work for their paychecks

Inglewood, United States

Dennis McCarthy, public relations artist, at work on a bond drive poster which will go on display throughout the factory and will be reproduced also in plant publications

Inglewood, United States

artist