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Prior to WWII, the U.S. aircraft industry focused primarily on producing aircraft for civilian airlines; few manufacturers specialized in military airplane construction. In the fall of 1940, the War Department determined that expected future demand for military aircraft required new defense plants, not just expansion of existing sites. This form of home front industry and the application of its product toward strategic aerial bombing grew exponentially as a primary weapon toward defeating an enemy's ability to wage war. Although involved in pilot training, Texas had no large-scale role in aircraft manufacturing at this time. As America recovered from the Great Depression while moving closer to war, the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce aggressively campaigned Consolidated Vultee Aircraft Corporation (Convair) for a new plant. Their efforts proved successful and groundbreaking ceremonies took place here on April 18, 1941. The Austin Company of Cleveland, Ohio, built Convair Plant No. 4 in less than a year and the first B-24 (Liberator) bomber rolled off the assembly line on April 17, 1942 - 100 days ahead of schedule. More than 3,000 heavy bombers were produced here with a peak wartime employment of 32,000. The site also converted B-24 airframes into C-87 cargo/transports (Liberator Express), and later in the war, produced a limited number of the new B-32 heavy bombers (Dominator). Wartime mobilization was an important factor in the eventual Allied victory during World War II. This and other home front industries had a major impact on the local economy. Industrial growth brought new employers and workers to the community and added a modern industrial aspect to Fort Worth's existing Texas frontier reputation. Texas in World War II - 2008 |
