HOW DO YOU HIDE AN AIRPLANE FACTORY? - Camouflaging U.S. Aircraft Plants During World War II.

[@MrAeronca100]

Another good one Mike! I remember in the 50's and 60's going to the Douglas plant surplus store....

[@jetsons101]

Just made a fresh pot of coffee and all ready to watch......

[@johnplaninac9980]

A very interesting video, great photos as always.

[@chuck9987]

Nice to have context and a "play by play" development. Really great work, thoroughly enjoyable. I really like the shots of the employees on the roof hanging laundry and "trimming" the hedges! I wonder if they towed the fake cars to different parking locations every day or so?

[@celebratingaviationwithmik9782]

Good question on the cars, and thanks for the comment!

[@TheStimpy60]

That DC-2 photo at the 2 minute mark is stunning- just beautiful 😍

[@garfieldsmith332]

A very interesting story. I never realized that they camouflaged these factories nor the amount of detail that went into doing it. Camouflaging a factory to look like a small town is sheer genius. Thank you for sharing this story and your wife for suggesting it.

[@garfieldsmith332]

@Gavinn Swann Good day Gavinn.

[@celebratingaviationwithmik9782]

Appreciate the comment, thanks!

[@n2uid01]

I remember being in Farmingdale on 110 and visualizing P47s taking off and landing. Once in Bethpage I stopped at a light. There on my left was a brand new F14. Never found Aurora model company though,

[@celebratingaviationwithmik9782]

'Never found the Aurora plant in West Hempstead nor the Renwal factory in Mineola. Very possible both were torn down for new development.

[@jetsons101]

Mike another great watch, like the way you listed the factory names for the west coast, by length top to bottom. At 1:59 you had a pic of the AVALON at LA harbor, my grandpa and grandma sailed on her many times. The work that Warner and Disney did was amazing, enjoyed the green chicken feathers. Anything WWll reminds me of the people of the Greatest Generation, thanks..... Again Mike thanks for your time and effort you put into your work, this was a gem. Stay strong

[@celebratingaviationwithmik9782]

Wonderful comment, thanks Mike!

[@davidshell1738]

I’ve always loved stories and pictures of how theses factory’s were disguised. Thank you Mike, for another great episode!

[@celebratingaviationwithmik9782]

Appreciate the comment, thanks!

[@maxsmodels]

I always loved that camo job. Impressive to say the least.

[@celebratingaviationwithmik9782]

The ultimate in full-scale diorama modeling!

[@jackredl9156]

Mike, on your East Coast list you left out the Glenn L Martin Co, in Middle River Maryland. They manufactured many an aircraft for the War.

[@celebratingaviationwithmik9782]

Yes, good catch, thanks!

[@stuart8663]

G'day from Australia. Always look forward to your videos!

[@celebratingaviationwithmik9782]

Many thanks!

[@ziggy2shus624]

Future movie stars like Marilyn Monroe and Robert Mitchum worked in LA airplane factories in WW2.

[@chrispacer4231]

THIS IS A VERY INTERESTING VIDEO…I don’t think anyone really covered this… I have a TIME / LIFE series WW2 volume with a chapter / photo montage LOOKS LIKE THE ROLLING HILLS OF OHIO hidden in plain SIGHT. CHRIS

[@chrispacer4231]

THE BERLIN AIRLIFT WOULD BE AN INTERESTING SUBJECT ALSO… Don’t think I seen anyone cover that…should be a lot there… the aircraft / pilots who took part Looking forward to seeing more. Chris

[@celebratingaviationwithmik9782]

Many thanks!

[@HootOwl513]

Especially der Kandibomber...

[@allangibson2408]

Pity he missed the DC-5 that was displaced from its production line by the DB-7/A-20 Havoc. The DB-1/B-18 Bolo used parts (including wings and tail) from the DC-2. The B-23 Dragon similarly used parts (again wings and tail assemblies) from the DC-3. The C-47 had a higher military production priority than the DC-5/C-110 (even though the DC-5 was a better aircraft but newer aircraft). The DC-5 production line was easily converted to DB-7 as they were almost identically sized tricycle geared high wing aircraft.

[@paulbervid1610]

Very historical

[@wrightflyer7855]

Thanks for another excellent presentation. I believe many people (especially younger viewers) are unaware of all the changes and sacrifices made by those on the home front during WWII. Rationing of certain food items and critical materiel, a national 35 mph speed limit, nightly blackouts....all became de rigueur as the war progressed. They truly were the greatest generation.

[@wrightflyer7855]

@@dalecomer5951 Of course people on the front lines had the worst time. My late father was one of them, spending 39 months in the Pacific. But I was posting about the people at home, which was actually called the home front. And I'm well aware of the age range of draftees and enlistees, but 15 year-olds weren't that common. Even considering the age range of those who served, it's still called the Greatest Generation. Most men and women enlisted rather than waited to be drafted. Wright Flyer, USAF (1968-1972).

[@gregoryv.zimansr4031]

I never thought about it before. Very interesting video. Thanks for taking the time and keep making these videos. ❤

[@celebratingaviationwithmik9782]

Many thanks!

[@martinpennock9430]

Another great video Mike! It's always amazing to see the ingenuity Americans posses when needed. My dad shipped out of San Francisco shortly after Pearl Harbor, and things were pretty scary there. No one knew what the Japanese military would do. Once again, God bless you and your family always! ☺️🇺🇸👍

[@celebratingaviationwithmik9782]

Appreciate the comment, thanks Martin!

[@ralf00001]

Very neat Great video thank you I enjoyed it 👍

[@stephenrickstrew7237]

Thanks for a Great Episode about a story that’s worthy of making a movie about …. Meanwhile …. below the chicken wire they are making A-20’s

[@clayz1]

I drive by the boeing plant in south Seattle, crossing the bridge. I never tire if telling people that large parking lot (that used to be a B29 factory) used to be cammoflaged over during WW2.

[@sunguar]

Another interesting aviation history "nugget" on camouflaged factories. It seems the Douglas "town" was on a different scale than 1:1. (2:1?) Was this so the potential bombers would have to fly lower, and could be sighted and/or brought down?

[@celebratingaviationwithmik9782]

I believe the only changes from actual size were in the height of the buildings, cars, foliage, etc. There was no heavy anti-aircraft armament on the site itself.

[@martijn9568]

A different scale provably doesn't matter for the bombers, unless a Japanese (dive) bomber is aiming by sight. I guess it makes dive bombing more dangerous for the dive bomber if the pilot isn't using his altimeter. However for level bombing they are for sure using their altimeter.

[@b.griffin317]

In the title card the F-15's three drop tanks seem to each have rectangular doors on their bottoms. What are these?

[@celebratingaviationwithmik9782]

Those are location reference markings for the weapons loaders when the tanks are carried out to the aircraft on Hyster ground equipment.

[@b.griffin317]

@@celebratingaviationwithmik9782 thanks!

[@PA28-181]

Another great history lesson from Mike !

[@findo12]

Thank you Mike. Yet another interesting aspect of aviation history. Great stuff, as always.

[@celebratingaviationwithmik9782]

Many thanks!

[@alanrogers7090]

In that photo of Douglas workers making the A-20 Havoc, there are a lot of women, but also, a lot of Blacks, which was not only unusual at the time, but also very forward-looking as a company.

[@plantfeeder6677]

This is a fascinating story that is seldom if ever discussed. Thanks Mike.

[@celebratingaviationwithmik9782]

Appreciate the comment, thanks!

[@Robutube1]

Fascinating stuff! Many thanks Mike (and his little army of helpers).

[@celebratingaviationwithmik9782]

Appreciate the comment, thanks, and actually, it's just me and my photo library. Thanks for watching!

[@Robutube1]

@@celebratingaviationwithmik9782 Hi Mike - I only mentioned the little helpers because you credit them yourself at 07:17. Please keep 'em coming!

[@julianaalcantara3595]

❤❤

[@dennismason3740]

I was born in L.a. in the early 50s. Only L.A.

[@grumpyoldfart1945]

Amazing how anti-aviation that Santa Monica has become since Douglas Aircraft went away. My mother and stepfather (a long time metallurgist for Douglas) lived near by the Santa Monica plant 34th Street during the 1950’s-60’s. Thanks for a great video and for brining back many memories.

[@celebratingaviationwithmik9782]

Agreed on Santa Monica today, and appreciate the comment!

[@Spearhead45]

women were just built better back then. real quality women in abundance