Vintage work crew photos

[Toolmaker51]

P-38s being finished outdoors, when Lockheed ran out of indoor space in their facility. Burbank, CA, 1943.

Every time I see a sentence/ photo with that point, of such astounding production rates, be it ammo, machine tools, planes, ships, Jeeps, M1 Garands', 1911-A1's....the same thought occurs.
"And that's why WE are still speaking English, under our own flag, our own choices.".
Every time.
No, not that old, born ~decade later, but relate closely. It never seems remote, past tense, or irrelevant.
Never.

[IntheGroove]

My father worked on P-38s for Lockheed in Honolulu...

[Ralphxyz]

Lots of people walking around, I love the piles of junk all over the place.

[marksbug]

I had a uncle that worked for lockheed, my did did a lot with them too, especially where there was a issue with the c130's he knew that plane inside and out and has probly flown every single one.as well as flying them before the USAF even had them .he thought the schools as well as possibly had the most flight hours in them. he retired from the USAF his last 10 years or so was flying the black bird SOS plane. then went on to working for lockheed as the chief of training. he took every assignment that came along.Im surprised he wasent killed in combat as he spent way tomuch time in it and other places we were not at....He could not receive the medal of honor as "we"(the usaf) were never there. som he got the next one down....and oh somany others. I probably saw him a total of 2 years between the age of 1&13. I dont think he wanted us.....treated us all like sub standard people. mom too. he also hated the navy flyers...so... we planted his ass at the end of the runway at penscola navil air station. the navy's blue angles did a fly over during his service. a fitting place for him.

[IntheGroove]

I had the opportunity to work on this P-38 brass ashtray that was made for my friends father who was serving on a aircraft carrier in WWII. Made with bullets and shells, the tail had fallen off and the cleaning person threw it out. I made a pretty good replacement...

[jdurand]

My mom was an inspector at Wright (Write?) Aeronautical in her younger days, approved the B-52 engines. She could and did stand up to any boss or military brass that tried to get her to pass substandard engines to "make the numbers". Very kind, nice lady until someone tried to get her to cheat at her job.

[VinnieL]

Thank Goodness she did! Those B-52's were beasts and I'm sure with the amount of years they have been in operation countless generations of aviators owe their lives to your mother's dedication!

[marksbug]

I know somebody that worked at a boeing plant. building and then later in QC. he retired early due to the make the quota **** and told to pas sub std planes ,components & work. he wont fly....i dont blame him for not flying.

[VinnieL]

I have an ex-brother-in-law who worked his whole career at a Boeing plant. He spent his whole career riding a 3-wheeled bicycle around the plant picking parts for shipping. His Dad and uncle also retired from there.

[IntheGroove]

A B-52 taking off is the loudest sound I have ever heard...