I have this video on a CD I got on the P-47. Amazing how each part of the crate had a specific purpose. Holes were dug in a particular spot to clear the gear swing, 50 able bodied men to hoist the wing in place, beams were cut to a specific length at a specific point in the assembly process.
All of this leads one to wonder in amazment at the strategic planning of our war efforts. I saw a recent show on PBS on that very subject. Who determined what aircraft, in what numbers, where placed, how many spares, what kind of spares, etc. Actually stated that they figured 20% of the total fleet of the AAF was grounded at any one time to maintenance or battle damage issues.
So from, how do we assemble it in the field to how many and where, I sit in awe of my father's generation!