NAA Dallas stuff

[Ztex]

I found my Dad's file with some paper goodies from his time at North American in Dallas...there are NAA magazines, some local plant news magazines, a few documents including a pay rate change slip, diplomas from various classes and some others.

If you guys are interested in more of this stuff let me know and I'll scan some in.

Local plant magazine cover.


NAA magazine


Get to know the company book

Last edited by Ztex on Thu Jan 18, 2007 11:42 am, edited 1 time in total.

[snj-5]

Very much interested. Last time I talked to the Boeing Archives
rep., the fella said Rockwell destroyed much of the NAA Dallas stuff,
so pretty much the only thing we have left is what's out in private
hands.

Bela P. Havasreti

[Connery]

So was NAA located at what is now LTV (Vought) in Grand Prairie or at a totally different location in the Dallas area?

[Connery]

Never mind, I answered my own question

Lots of good information here: http://www.airfields-freeman.com/TX/Airfields_TX_Dallas_S.htm#dallas

I always knew that P-51C models were produced in Dallas, I just never put 2 and 2 together

[Ztex]

Connery,

The LTV is indeed the same plant that NAA built in Grand Prairie.

[Connery]

Zane,

Did North American produce any model of the Mustang other than the P-51C at the Dallas plant?

[Ztex]

They made the C and D ( or K )

[visaliaaviation]

I one had some people over for dinner and they unexpectantly showed up with "Dad" in tow. They asked if it was OK? So what could I say? Anyway- I got to talking with "Dad" and he told me he had worked for NAA during the war. We practically missed dinner. He spoke of having been part of the movement of tooling from Inglewood to Dallas so that P-51C production could get underway. He said he was charged with maintining the tempurature of the full size steel parts master patterns used for maintaining tolerances. I had heard of a simlar thing happening to B-17 masters being delivered throught the country to various plants . He helped set up the Mustang production line too. Can't remember any of the others, but Dad's name was Ried. A great evening!

[Bill Greenwood]

Are there any buildings or anything else to see from the NAA plant? I have flown into Redbird, where is the location in relation to that?

[Ztex]

Bill,

The current Vought Aircraft plant is the same buildings built in WWII.
They have added on to the plant of course but the main buildings are still the same.

The plant is on the west side of the former Dallas Naval Air Station, about 8 miles north west of Redbird Ariport.

It is your typical defense plant with no public access...you can drive on 2 sides and look through the fence and not see much of anything....

Last edited by Ztex on Thu Jan 18, 2007 8:49 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[bdk]

http://www.vought.com/heritage/peoplace ... ation.html

Here is a map/satellite location of the Dallas Vought plant as it exists now:

http://maps.yahoo.com/;_ylc=X3oDMTExNmIycG51BF9TAzI3MTYxNDkEc2VjA2ZwLWJ1dHRvbgRzbGsDbGluaw--#mvt=s&q1=1510%20W%20JEFFERSON%20BLVD,%20DALLAS,%20TX%2075208&trf=0&lon=-96.977069&lat=32.74101&mag=2

Too bad the "Vought retirees" restoration shop is not open to the public. You need a Vought badge to get in or their crack security force will run you off at the gate.

http://www.vought.com/heritage/

Last edited by bdk on Thu Jan 18, 2007 9:28 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[GIJOE290]

Great stuff! Thanks for posting it.

..And to think I lived in Grand Prairie in 2001-2003 and did not know that. I meant to say; I know of the airport, but not of it's history.

Last edited by GIJOE290 on Fri Jan 19, 2007 7:37 am, edited 1 time in total.

[Bill Greenwood]

Thanks for the info guys. I was born a few blocks from Love Field. The greater Dallas area is still a great general aviation place. The museum at Addison, CAF just south, lot's of acro, parchuting, and I think gliders nearby. Last time I flew the Spitfire into Love Field it was busy, but still friendly to general aviation, unlike DIA.

[Ztex]

Too bad the "Vought retirees" restoration shop is not open to the public.

I got to go in there for a visit on a "family day" a couple of years ago.

Got to see the Pancake!

I'll have to dig those photos out too.

Z

[Connery]

I managed to get in there once too on a family day. It was the day that they brought in a B-2 about 10+ years ago. It was really cool to get close enough to touch it.