Manufacturing during WW2

[burbguy82]

I was watching a show on the history channel today. Of course, being Memorial Day, the topic was manufacturing during WW2, and some stories behind it.

What a time fellas.

I learned a few things that I did not previously know, and I figured I would share two interesting facts I learned:

1.) The M4 Sherman Tank, (most widely used tank in US military), had been credited to the Ford Motor Company for its manufacture. The truth was, that K.T> Keller, CEO of Chrysler had the contract for the M4. One issue they had, was the power plant. They had a "radial" engine, which was basically 5 V6 engine smashed together:

and although the power was adequate, it did not leave much room for the crew and shells and effects. It was not practical.........So, Keller contacted Henry Ford, and asked if he could use his GAA engine:

And because they both valued the war effort over their own rivalry, Ford agreed, for "free" to give Keller the design.....So, the M4 was predominately made by Chrysler, but many publications today credit Ford.


2.) Another interesting fact was Kimberly Clark and Co. This company, who make Kleenex, was responsible for countless other things, Like the M2 Browning Machine Gun, and many others like the m16 Half track, and other naval guns. Below is a link to some more info.

https://usautoindustryworldwartwo.com/kimberlyclark.htm

Anyway, do not limit this thread to these alone, feel free to add, or whatever.

To those who are Vets, and maybe more specifically to those who has lost a comrade, have a great Memorial day. And if you are not a Vet or supporting member, still have a great day, just maybe not as good.

 

[Chris142]

Ford built jeeps with the Ford insignia on the tail gate too.

 

[ripcord]

If I remember correctly, I think the M4 came with at least 4 different engines. The radial engine that came in it was a Continental 9 cylinder. There was the Ford you mentioned well as well as a really interesting 12 cylinder GM diesel engine that was basically two straight sixes siamesed together.

https://www.theshermantank.com/about/the-sherman-tank-engine-page/the-gm-6046-page/

The Singer sewing machine company produced tons of aviation components like bomb sites, mechanical targeting computers, etc. They had originally been tasked with creating 45 caliber pistols, but the army realized that the quality of their machining was so good that their talents were being wasted on such simple items.

 

[Owen Lucas]

Someone swapped the 1100ci Sherman Tank engine into a 1970 Mustang:

 

[burbguy82]

Someone swapped the 1100ci Sherman Tank engine into a 1970 Mustang:

View attachment 281174

1100 fts lbs at 2400 rpm, 500 hp. Plenty for those puny tires. That would be excellent to drive daily.

 

[burbguy82]

Also in reading, this might have been the genesis of the Hemi.......in that the GAA was hemispherical, but more reading lends to its origin in Merlin engines..........who knows.

Ford made the Hemi? @OVERKILL

 

[Hall]

I worked for a major manufacturer of centrifugal pumps for many years and during WWII, the facility switched to producing bomb sights used in airplanes.

 

[OVERKILL]

Also in reading, this might have been the genesis of the Hemi.......in that the GAA was hemispherical, but more reading lends to its origin in Merlin engines..........who knows.

Ford made the Hemi? @OVERKILL

Ford made two HEMI's, the 427SOHC and the BOSS 429, lol

 

[scoot]

Eureka vacuum company in Detroit made flare guns and other percussion type devices . My grandfather was the President. I have a couple of the the flare guns .

 

[Ronsant]

Arsenal of Democracy, probably the last time that citizens, government, and business in the US came together for a single cause.
I wish America could unite like that today (without the war of course).

 

[SC Maintenance]

South Carolina textile production increased immensely in WW2 - producing much of the uniforms, tents, and other things for the war effort. Not as exciting, but still important. https://travelersresthere.com/how-a-forgotten-factory-helped-dress-troops-during-wwii/

The Charleston Navy yard build a bunch of destroyers and other small ships, using steel produced in a couple mills nearby. Most of the Naval yard has been turned into a park over the last few years.

 

[OVERKILL]

Some WWII pics I have archived:

 

[OVERKILL]

 

[4WD]

Too much to type - but ask google

what did GM build for WW2

 

[nomas]

Rock-Ola jukebox company built M1 Carbines .

 

[hank2]

There were a diverse group of firms that produced the M1 carbine during WWII. I used to have one produced by Saginaw Steering Gear. That may have had a GM connection.

 

[ripcord]

Rock-Ola jukebox company built M1 Carbines .

So did the Singer sewing machine and the Underwood typewriter companies.

 

[Pablo]

My mom mainly would tell us about the scrap efforts. Copper and steel mainly for some reason as a child that stuck with her the most (Born in 1934). My grandfather was in the motor rebuilding and other electrical businesses so he had to make things last.

 

[ripcord]

Here in Washington State, an older gentleman who was a friend of my dad told me about fishing for sturgeon in the Columbia for the war effort. He had a rope and big hooks he would bait with chicken and a horse that he would pull the fish to the bank with. The meat was canned and he said the bladder was used to make glue for aircraft instruments of some kind.

 

[JimPghPA]

There's a historical documentary of the quick development of the liberty aircraft engine, where top engine designers and builders all contributed without any concerns of royalties or retaining intellectual property, and used the best designs they could come up with for every section of that engine, including best production methods. A lot of state of the art leading edge intellectual property was freely and willingly given to design and manufacture that engine in record time. And all without computers. Even when draftsmen were required, the engineers who knew that their men were the best had those best men brought into working on it where the engineers of different companies were gathered, and no one worried about cost.

If I rember correct it was only 2 month from initial gathering of the top engineers to having the first working engine. Lots of long days, and selfless handing over of designs.