I got this in an email from a friend and thought it was important enough to take a spot in the Blog to share!
I had heard of World War 2 Aerial Camouflage of Submarine Pens, but not aircraft factories!
The ingenuity and execution of the plan was simply awesome!
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At first glance, this looks like an ordinary day in a small village with people enjoying the sun outside.
Image credits: Seattle Times archive
But underneath this ‘peaceful town’ was a big military secret: a Boeing factory.
During WWII, the U.S Army designed a whole neighborhood to throw off possible air attacks.
Image credits: Seattle Times archive
On the roof of Boeing Plant 2, camouflage trees and structures were shorter than a person.
Trees were made of chicken wire and feathers.
Image credits: Seattle Times archive
A street sign plays off the fake neighborhood at the corner of “Synthetic Street” and “Burlap Boulevard”.
Image credits: Seattle Times archive
Suzette Lamoureaux and Vern Manion examine one of the miniature bungalows in the “Boeing Wonderland”.
Image credits: Seattle Times archive
Structures that look like cars from overhead are parked along a fake street.
Image credits: Seattle Times archive
An
aerial view of the camouflage on top of Boeing Plant 2 shows that the
“streets” were aligned with real residential neighborhoods nearby.
Image credits: Seattle Times archive
Joyce Howe, and behind her Susan Heidreich, walking over the camouflaged Boeing Plant 2.
Image credits: Seattle Times archive
Boeing plant aerial photo taken from around 5000 feet. This was taken in either 1944 or 1945.
Image credits: Seattle Times archive
Thousands
of Boeing workers gather in front of Boeing Plant 2 for ceremonies
marking the changeover from B-17 to B-29 production on April 10 , 1945.
Image credits: Seattle Times archive
The first B-52A is rolled out at Boeing’s Seattle plant on March 18 , 1954. In order to clear the hangar doorway, the plane’s 48-foot-high tail had to be folded down.
Image credits: U.S. Air Force
Boeing Plant 2. 5000th celebrations.
Image credits: Seattle Times archive
Boeing Plant 2. B-17G Flying Fortress cockpits under construction.
Image credits: Bonneville Power Administration
B-17F production line, Boeing Plant 2, July 14 1942.
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