Ford in the Service of America
Mass Production for the Military During the World Wars
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About the Book
This is the history of the Ford Motor Company’s achievements and products during World Wars I and II. It demonstrates how, in addition to well-known contributions like jeeps, Eagle Boats and B-24 Liberators, Ford also produced key items ranging from squad tents and the ultra precision gun director to tanks and aircraft engines. Details on each product and how Ford produced it are included. During both wars, the automotive giant used precision manufacturing methods and innovative designs and procedures to increase quantity and quality while lowering production costs.
About the Author(s)
Bibliographic Details
Timothy J. O’Callaghan
Format: softcover (7 x 10)
Pages: 206
Bibliographic Info: 70 photos, appendices, notes, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2009
pISBN: 978-0-7864-4485-4
Imprint: McFarland
Table of Contents
Preface 1
1. World War I 5
Introduction to War 5
Tractors for Britain 7
Vehicles 8
Liberty Aircraft Engines 10
Kettering Bug 13
Eagle Boats 13
Henry’s Other Boat 21
Caissons 22
Tanks and Armor Plate 23
Helmets and Body Armor 26
Other War Products 28
Ford Overseas 28
Home Front 29
Wartime Profits 29
Wartime Aggravations 30
Summary 31
2. World War II 33
Prelude to War 33
War Production 36
War Production Facilities 37
Employment Diversity 38
Publicity 40
Key Participants 42
3. Consolidated Bomber 45
Production Plans 47
Manufacturing and Assembly 51
Flight Operations 66
Human Resources 69
Other Assignments 74
4. Gliders 82
5. Aircraft Engines 88
The Rolls Royce Controversy 88
Pratt & Whitney Aircraft
Engine 89
Pulse Jet Engine 95
6. Other Aviation Contracts 99
Aircraft Distributor 99
Aircraft Ignition 100
Aircraft Generators 100
Turbo Superchargers 101
Rate-of-Climb Indicators 102
Altitude Chamber 103
Quick Change Engine 103
Jettison Fuel Tanks 104
7. New Foundries and Smelters 106
Steel Making Facilities 106
Armor Plate Foundry 106
Aluminum Foundry 107
Magnesium Smelter 108
Magnesium Foundry 108
8. Wheeled Vehicles 110
Jeeps 110
Amphibian Jeeps 115
Armored Cars 117
Military Trucks 121
Fordson and Moto-Tug
Tractors 122
Civilian Type Vehicles 124
9. Tracked Vehicles 125
Tanks and Tank Destroyers 125
Ford Tank Engines 129
Universal Carriers 131
10. Other Contributions 134
Gun Directors 134
Tire Plant 138
Ordnance Modification Depots 139
Squad Tents 140
Marine Operations 140
Timber, Mining and Charcoal 142
Precision Gauges 143
Rubber Plantation 144
Inventions and Patents 145
Miscellaneous 145
11. Ford Facilities 147
Main Plants 147
Branch Plants 148
Upper Peninsula 149
Village Industries 149
12. Training and Service Schools 152
Henry Ford Trade School and
Ford Apprentice School 152
Other Training 154
13. Foreign Operations 160
British Empire 160
Ford of Canada 165
Other Overseas Operations 165
14. The Veteran’s Story 168
15. Summary 171
Attitude 173
Process 173
Facilities 174
Cooperation 175
Profits 176
Appendix 179
World War I Production and Finance Summary 179
World War II Production Summary 180
Rouge Plant Map 182
Monthly Unit Production of B-24 Bombers 183
World War I Songs and Poems About Henry Ford and His Cars 184
Chapter Notes 189
Bibliography 195
Index 197
Book Reviews & Awards
“this is a topic that, to us, simply cannot be overdone. Thickly laden with facts and some of the lesser-known products and processes here are absolute delights. A good book, peppered with seldom-seen creations”—Hemmings Classic Car; “fascinating details”—Michigan Historical Review; “factual and straight-forward…the first work dedicated specifically to this area of Ford history…poignant…commendable…interesting and significant”—SAH Journal.
