|
July 25 was a day of pride, memories and "a little melancholy" at Boeing's Seattle Plant 2. Hundreds gathered to say goodbye to a major aerospace manufacturing complex that played a vital role for the United States in World War II.
The buildings -- built between 1936 and 1941 -- were used during the war to produce B-17 bombers at an unprecedented rate. At its peak, the facility turned out 364 airplanes a month. Sunday's ceremony also marked the 75th anniversary of the B-17 Flying Fortress' first flight on July 28, 1935.
Those attending, including many Boeing retirees, looked inside the mammoth factory to view two World War II bombers -- a B-17 and a B-29 -- that are being restored by Seattle's Museum of Flight. A band called the Kings of Swing played period music.
Boeing will soon begin demolition on the buildings, which are located along the Duwamish Waterway and have not played a major part in Boeing airplane production for 40 years. The demolition will be followed by an environmental remediation and habitat restoration project creating nearly five acres of wetlands and habitat for migratory fish in the waterway.
Jim Albaugh, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, led off the ceremony, which included two World War II B-17 pilots and one of the original Rosie the Riveters.
Albaugh discussed the historical importance of the buildings, and read a proclamation from Washington Governor Christine Gregoire declaring it to be "Plant 2 Day."
"In this plant, over 8,500 airplanes were produced, including the first four 737s," Albaugh said."Plant 2 has been a cradle of pioneering ideas and innovation over the years, allowing Boeing to revolutionize how airplanes are manufactured."
The plant also produced the Model 307 Stratoliner, the XB-47, the 377 Stratocruiser, the B-50 bomber and various production models of the B-52 bomber.
Georgie Kunkel, 89, spoke at the ceremony, representing the many Rosie the Riveters who worked in the plants. Her assignment was to drill holes in B-17 wing panels.
"There was no guide, so we just had to eyeball it and get it straight," she recalled. "I didn't drill any crooked holes and I was very proud of that."
Walt Creigh, 86, and Elden Larson, 87, both told stories of their days as B-17 pilots during the war. Each flew approximately 30 combat missions. When asked about his feelings toward the B-17, Creigh said, "It was tough, durable, dependable and my friend for saving my life more than once."
In addition to Albaugh, two other Boeing executives expressed their admiration for the enormous contribution made by Plant 2 employees during its early decades.
Dennis O'Donoghue, vice president of Boeing Test & Evaluation, described how revolutionary designs introduced at Plant 2 changed aviation history, and the concepts have also been used in today's commercial jetliners, up to and including the 787 Dreamliner.
O'Donoghue said the plant is especially important for developing and building the world's first swept wing jet -- the XB-47. The design features developed in this program went on to be used in the B-52 bomber and other military aircraft.
Pat Shanahan, vice president and general manager of Airplane Programs, described how the manufacturing processes used at Plant 2 provided a foundation for the production of far more complex modern aircraft. He said even by today's standards, the work of B-17 production workers was amazing.
"Just looking at the size of those airplanes, you have to ask how on earth could they have put them together so quickly and efficiently," Shanahan said. "It was all done in the Boeing tradition. People found a way."
Editor's note: The Musuem of History and Industry in Seattle will also be capturing the historical significance of Plant 2, and the stories of Boeing employees who worked there, this fall. Visit this website for information as it becomes available.
_________________
" excuse me stewardess I speak jive"
|
Login
Register
FAQ
Search
