JUNE 5 JUNE 15 JULY 7
Se
BANGKOK
JULY 23
Rtrarocrulser Is
Newest Boeing
Design Triumph
Continuing its development of com-
mercial aircraft and setting up a defi-
nite pattern for postwar operations,
the Boeing company this week
announced highly successful flight tests
for a new giant of the skies, the military
version of a four-engined double-deck
luxury transport to be known as the
Stratocruiser.
Growing out of the now famed Boeing
B-29 Superfortress, the prototype of the
Stratocruiser is the first of the larger
size super-transports of the future to
have actually been built and flown by
any company. The military transport
version has already undergone extensive
tests in Seattle.
‘It has better flying characteristics
than any other airplane we have ever
built, even better than the B-29 Super-
fortress which is noted for its superior
flying qualities,’ declared Wellwood E.
Beall, Boeing vice president in charge of
engineering.
Cruising Speed 340 mph
To be powered for airline use by four
3,500 horsepower engines, the largest
ever built, the Stratocruiser will have a
top speed of 400 miles an hour and
cruising speed of 340. Operating range
will be 3,500 miles with ample fuel
reserves.
With its two-deck, three-cabin fuse-
lage, the giant plane can be operated as
a high-speed, low-fare day coach of the
air carrying 100 passengers; as a luxury
sleeper carrying 72 days passengers or
36 in births, with a 14-chair observa-
tion lounge and ample cargo and bag-
gage space for the great distances of
See ee Page 8
“‘Wish We Had More,”
Says General Arnold
“T only wish we had more of them,”
wrote Gen. H. H. Arnold in a letter this
week commenting on the excellent per-
formance of Boeing B-29 Superfortresses
in action against Japan.
“As you undoubtedly noted in the
papers,” said the commanding general
of the Army Air Forces, “all of the
B-29’s we have in combat have been
very busy lately.”
General Arnold again let it be known
that he is following closely the outstand-
ing record being set up by the “Gen.
H. H. Arnold Special,” Wichita-built
bomber which the AAF commander
picked out as his own ship while on a
visit here last January.
Further news of the “Special” was
received this week in a dispatch from
XX Bomber Command released direct to
oT ASN Fae AeAIG Cee hts told se nOWee athe
“Special” had been saved from almost
certain disaster recently by the courage
See GENERAL ARNOLD, age 8
New. besury
Bole! s
AUG. 10
AUG. 10 AUG. 20 SEPT. 8 SEPT. 26 OCT. 14 OCT. 16 OCT. 17 OCT. 25 NOV.3
NOY. 5
NOV. 5,
FERS RRRRO SDR OGE
~ Boeing Plane Talk
NOV. 11 NOY. 11
NOV. 17, 1944
NO. 15
This issue of PLANE TALK is for you, the men and
women of Boeing-Wichita now serving in the Armed
Forces. It is published at this time so that those of you
who are overseas will receive it by Christmas Day. We
thought you would prefer to have it rather than the con-
ventional Christmas card, so this greeting comes to you
with the best wishes of all of us — the men and women
with whom you used to work.
A CHRISTMAS MESSAGE
Daily news reports graphically tell us what you are doing — no
one could ask for more. Here at home, we are striving to keep faith
with you by our record of hard work and production. Our one
objective is to give you the safest and best equipment we know how
to build, to give it to you in the numbers needed, and when needed.
As former employees of Boeing-Wichita, you will be interested
to know that we have maintained and even exceeded the heavy
production schedules assigned us. Your old place of work has
been bearing the brunt of B-29 production and has delivered the
overwhelming majority of the Superfortresses which are today rain-
ing destruction on Japan. Though the primary trainer program is
decelerating rapidly, over ten thousand Boeing Kaydets have now
been delivered.
The men and women you left behind have established one of
the nation’s finest records for attendance at work, have led the way
in war bond drives and campaigns for the Red Cross and War Fund.
They are working long hours at jobs that are not easy. Our hands
are full keeping up the uninterrupted production of the B-29's so
Christmas Edition for Former Employees i in the Armed Forces
urgently needed in the Pacific.
finish the job.
warmest Christmas greetings.
quickly as possible.
at home.
We mean to stay on the job — and
Thai's the way we expeci to keep fuiih wiin you.
On behalf of all of us here at the plants, | extend to you our
Wherever you are, you can be sure
that we are thinking of you and to the best of our ability, we are
working to help attain the goal set for all of us:
May God grant our fervent wish and prayer that next year we
all can enjoy Christmas in the traditional American way — here
Sincerely,
To win the war as
tee 0.9)
TO WORK THANKSGIVING
Because of the urgency of the B-29
program, Thanksgiving Day, Novem-
ber 23, will be observed as a regular
work day at Boeing-Wichita, in
accordance with War Department
policy.
A former employee of Shop 60, Pfe.
John D. Parker, member of a B-29
aircraft maintenance unit, is slated for
overseas duty soon. “You make them,”
he tells his former associates, “and we’ll
ee them pee 44
tnee Bt ihe Airsrays
\ THE STRATOCRUISER, GIANT SUPER-TRANSPORT designed to carry 72 to 100 passengers at high
speed and minimum operating costs, is the plane Boeing will produce for commercial airline use
after the war. The military version already has undergone highly successful flight tests
Recap of Raids
Shows B-29 Too
Tough for Japs
With a score of bombing missions
already accomplished, Wichita-built
Boeing B-29’s are carrying out in a
relentless manner the Army’s master
plan for the systematic destruction of
Japan’s ability to wage war.
The plan was designed for the Super-
fortress; the Superfortress was designed
for the plan. Every B-29 reaching out
for distant Jap targets in the initial
raids was produced at Boeing-Wichita,
and a predominant majority of planes
taking part in the ensuing offensives
came from the same place.
Steel works, oil refineries, naval
installations, and now war production
plants themselves —all have felt the
smashing power of the Boeing Super-
fortresses. These raids are being car-
ried out over a great are extending
from Manchuria in the north, across the
Japanese home islands, down through
the Malayan peninsula, and on to
Sumatra. Regardless of its location,
there is little territory now heid by
Japan which is safe from the vengeance
of the mighty B-29—and its brave
crews.
First Raid on June 15
It was a thrill beyond description
when word was flashed to Wichita and
the Boeing plants that planes built here
had carried out the first land-based
bombing attack against the Japanese
home islands,
June 15. It was the news for which
everyone had been waiting. Every
Boeing employee and every former Boe-
ing employee had a part in that raid
through the companionship he felt for
each B-29 crew as a result of a rivet
See RECAP OF RAIDS, Page 8
BOEING WAC AT PRESQUE iSLE
One of Boeing-Wichita’s service
women, Pvt. Dorothy McEntire, who
left Shop 330 in June, 1944 to join the
WACs, was recently transferred to
Presque Isle, Me. After her basic train-
ing at Ft. Des Moines, Ia., she was
stationed at Grenier Field, N. H.
Returning Veterans Are Offered Individual
Assistance Through Company Program
Sixty-five former Boeing employees who have been honorably discharged from
the armed forces are back at work helping turn out Superfortresses to speed the
return home of their buddies. They are joined by 597 other veterans of World War
II to make a total of 662 service men now working at Boeing-Wichita.
They are employed in more than a
score of different departments and shops.
Some are men who have been wounded
in action, some are disabled to an extent
that it is necessary to be placed on jobs
where they learn an entirely different
trade from that which they followed
before the war. But all are making good
in offices and shops and on the produc-
tion line.
Because of the particular problems
of returning servicemen, individual con-
sideration is given every veteran of
World War II who applies for a job at
Boeing, in addition to the service and
facilities already established for all
employees. The program is under the
supervision of men who are themselves
veterans of World Wars I and II and
thoroughly familiar with the problems
of men who have served in uniform.
The program for veterans includes
employment counsel and assistance for
those who want to take advantage of
the educational provisions extended
through the “GI Bill of Rights.”
Veterans who were former employees
and have been rehired may take advant-
age of further specialized training
offered by the government with no loss
of seniority while they are away. After
completion of this training they will be
given preference for re-employment at
their old jobs or other available open-
ings for which they are qualified.
BACK AT BOEING after two years in the South
Pacific, R. W. Miller picks up where he left off
when he joined the AAF in 1942. There are now
662 World War II veterans at Boeing-Wichita
the vaidon Vaweta Jast
BOEING PLANE TALK
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1944
--- Since You Went Away---
(This is a digest of the news at Boeing-Wichita, gleaned from the files
of PLANE TALK. Because it was late in 1942 before men began leaving
in large numbers to join the Armed Forces, the year 1942 is condensed;
the last two years are taken month by month.)
With Pearl Harbor still fresh
1942 in our minds, Plant I sets a
terrific pace by building pri-
mary trainers faster than ever, at one
time rolling them out the doors at the
rate of nearly one per hour. . . . During
the first half of the year, Plant II grows
from a skeleton of steel framework to a
finished building, one of the largest in the
nation. . . While outboard wings and
control surfaces for the B-17 are being
built in the east part of the plant, the
new west sections are the scene of feverish
activity in tooling-up and installation of
equipment and machinery.
The floor of Plant II slowly but surely
becomes literally a forest of B-29 jigs —
huge jigs that are a source of wonderment
to old hands, of amazement to new em-
ployees. . . . Men and women who have
never seen a factory before are hired by
the thousands.
In the early summer, along comes an
emergency request from the Army that
we help build cargo gliders— build them
in a hurry—and the north end of Plant
II and the ramps outside become an im-
provised assembly line. . . . The Boeing
Bombers win the national semi-pro base-
ball tournament. . . . With Plant I set-
ting production records daily and Plant II
tooling-up for the B-29 and assembling
gliders, Boeing is awarded its first Army-
Navy “E” for excellence in production.
Over 14,000 employees jam the amphi-
theater at Boeing Park for the “E” pres-
entation. . . . The first B-29’s are taking
shape on the factory floor—and people
still can’t believe their eyes. .. . Employees
pledge $90,000 to the Wichita Community-
War Chest. . Test blackout is made.
New employment office is opened up
downtown. . Planeview nears comple-
tion. . Mamma cat in rivet stockroom
comes up with her fourth litter — gets “EK”
printed on her crib for excellence in pro-
duction. . . . Christmas is first holiday of
year for employees.
JANUARY-—Plant Protection
] 943 guards sworn in as Auxiliary
Military Police. . Lt. Don
Blue, formerly of Plant I and now a fight-
ing Marine in the Pacific, writes: “We
have the men; just give us and keep giving
us the weapons.” . . . Bus terminal west
bridge, ramp and stairs over MacArthur
Road completed. First assessment of
new 5% Victory ‘tax deducted from pay
checks. . First Boeing families move
into Planeview. . . . Boeing-Wichita has
2,597 former employees in Armed Forces.
FEBRUARY — Eddie Allen, Boeing’s ace
flight test engineer and aerodynamicist,
killed in bomber crash at Seattle (it was
not revealed officially until months later
that this crash involved one of the experi-
mental B-29’s). . . . Payroll is staggered
to make every day a pay day for hourly
employees. . . . Ray G. Harris, original
AAF representative at Boeing, promoted
from colonel to rank of brigadier general.
MARCH — Employee Red Cross pledges
total $68,246. . . . Blitz on candy vending
machines results in restrictions on hours
they may be used. . . . Shirts or blouses
in solid colors approved for women in
production areas. . . . New traffic signal
light installed at Warehouse crossing on
MacArthur Road. -Boeing Chorus gives
public presentation of “The Messiah.” . .
Advent of meat rationing increases plant
food service problems. . . . War Depart-
ment OK’s improvement program for roads
leading to plants.
APRIL — Rapid progress made on new
concrete parking apron on airport across
Oliver from Plant I. . . . Canyons golf
course leased by Employees Association.
. Application for increased pay rates
pending before War Labor Board. :
Plant I delivers 7,000th equivalent primary
trainer to Armed Forces. . . . Employees
win second Army-Navy “E” Award... .
Planeview housing area dedicated.
MAY-—Lt. Gen. William S. Knudsen
visits both plants, says it is easy to see
why we have won two ‘“H” awards... .
New individual “E” pins made available
to employees. . . . Plant II opened to Boe-
ing employees, their wives and husbands
for Sunday tour.
JUNE -—A red letter month in which
our first B-29 Superfortress makes initial
test flight before thousands of thrilled em-
ployees. . . . Free movies start in Boeing
Park. . . . Otto Plagens noses out Bob
Clark for Employees Association presi-
dency. .. . Planeview announces organiza-
tion of school system with five buildings
to be erected.
JULY —Ernest M. Allison, veteran of
12,500 hours in pilot’s seat, becomes chief
test pilot for Boeing-Wichita B-29’s....
Plant I accorded top national ranking for
primary trainer production. . . . National
Labor Relations Board holds election in
plants to determine which union, if any,
to represent employees as_ bargaining
agent. International Association of Ma-
chinists (A. F. of L.) is the winner. . .
All three shifts work on Monday, July 5,
recognized as Independence Day holiday.
- Complete counselor service for all
employees announced.
AUGUST — Thousands of employees turn
out to greet Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress
“Memphis Belle” and crew upon return
from completing 25 missions over Europe.
. Chest X-rays of employees are made
as a health measure. . . . Glenn Bostwick
wins Association golf title... . Planemak-
ers donate over 30,000 books and maga-
zines in one-day drive to furnish reading
material for soldiers at Camp Phillips.
. Civic Bowl in West Wichita leased for
use of employees. ... W. G: (Bill) Power,
General Motors’ dynamic speaker, talks to
supervisory personnel and indelibly im-
presses the importance of “all out” war
production effort.
SEPTEMBER — Labor day is a regular
work day at Boeing-Wichita. . . War
Dads form chapter at Boeing. ... For
first time since Pearl Harbor, Plant I
holds open house for employees, wives and
husbands. . Association contracts for
four-day rodeo in Lawrence Stadium.
OCTOBER — Secrecy on our new super-
bomber partly lifted when General Harris
These Gold Star Men Have Been Honored
To each of the 57 former Boeing employees who has given his life in the service
of his country a Boeing B-29 has been dedicated. When the fateful news is received,
a large picture of the war hero is placed on the outside of a Superfortress cabin in
Primary Assembly. The memorial remains on the ship through the final stages of
production. Men thus honored:
JAMES E. LIVENGOOD
FRANK W. GRIFFITH
ALBERT DALTON
GRAYSON CARLYLE NADEN
EDWARD ODELL
ROBERT HELPHINGSTINE
ARNOLD V. CARLSON
ROY E. COLLINS
DEAN E. WHITESIDE
GEORGE KENDALL
GILBERT WIDICK
ROSCOE V. BLACK, JR.
EMMETT MAYBERRY
LLOYD E. MATHES
MILFORD D. BIRCH
RICHARD W. DEAVER
LEIGHTON METZKER
O. RAYMOND FRENCH
HAROLD ALBRIGHT
GEORGE E. CUSTER
EDWIN S. NESBITT
P. HOWARD GATEWOOD
JOHN CURTIS PHELAN
DARRELL EDWARD BLISS
J. ROBERT HARTMAN
ROY E. PRUITT
LEWIS DWAIN STILES
JACK RENNER
K. MERLE HAM
GAIL F. BRUNER
LUTHER E. MASSEY
CHARLES W. JUDD
HARVEY L. SHAFFER
HUGH W. MONAGHAN
FRANK LINK
HAROLD L. GILLENWATERS
OTT S. CIRCLE
DEMPSEY WILLARD SPIRES
MAURICE WAYNE WILSON
LARRY B. RANSOM
BERNARD KNIGHT FORSTON
JOHN H. CRISS
ROY ARTHUR HUNT
CODY HUBERT JOHNSON
PAUL E. MADDOX
DALE SMITH
HOWARD W. HOLMES
EDWIN M. HELTON
FORREST ELROY FREEMAN
ARTHUR DAVID PRICE
LAWRENCE KOON
ROBERT C. McILVAIN
ORVILLE GATEWOOD
EDEN C. JONES
HAROLD PAUL SCOTT
LEO A. BETZEN
ALBERT C. JOLLEY
announces Army counts on it “to put over
the knockout punch of the war.” ...
Bomber schedules are boosted. . . . First
checks issued under new shop wage scale.
5 . Plant War Bond sales pass million
dollar mark. . . . Boeing opens four-state
drive for new employees. General
Knudsen, visiting plants,
effort in war against Japan.
NOVEMBER — Army reveals new super-
fortress, designed and built by Boeing, to
be known as the B-29. . “Wee Willy”
Hobein sets season bowling record with a
653. . Art Lokensgard, former USO
director, assumes head of plant recreation
department. . .. Employee gifts to Wich-
ita Community-War Chest hit $135,200. ...
Full work schedule announced for Thanks-
giving; 16,000 servings of cake and ice
cream and 150 gallons of cranberry sauce
go to employees with Thanksgiving greet-
ings from the Company. . .. Tiny loose
screw, dropped and carelessly ignored by
some workman, jams in landing gear
switch, results in a B-29 belly landing at
Municipal Airport; no one hurt, plane later
repaired and flown again.
DECEMBER — To meet accelerated B-29
delivery schedules, plants abandon three
shift operation and go on two extended
overtime shifts of 10 hours each; transpor-
tation schedules revised to meet new work
plan; downtown stores cooperate by re-
maining open an extra night each week.
. General Knudsen visits plants to dis-
cuss new schedules. . . . Employees work
Sunday to make up for Christmas holiday.
. Plant I sets perfect safety record for
month. . . . Boeing Victory bell, lent to
employees by Wichita church, is erected in
Plant II to herald delivery of B-29’s to
urges all-out
Army. . . . Employees battle severe bliz-
zard to reach work and keep up B-29 pro-
duction.
1944 up for visiting members of
Armed Forces. . Plane-
view community center opens... . Starting
time of both shifts moved forward 45
minutes, first starting at 6 a.m., second at
4:45 p.m. This means first shifters get up
at 4:30 a.m., second shifters get home 24
hours later. General Arnold visits
plants, asks all employees to redouble
efforts. .. . Arnold inscribes name on Su-
perfortress nose section, terms it “my air-
plane” (same ship to later become famous
as the Boeing B-29 “Gen. H. H. Arnold
Special”). . . . B-29’s now being delivered
minus camouflage paint. . . . Wounded in
African invasion, Leo Rutter, formerly of
Shop 82, returns to work in Plant II.
FEBRUARY — Employees top million in
War Bond purchases. . . . Eighteen gold
stars placed on plant honor rolls. :
4,377 former employees now serving in
Armed Forces. ... “Gen. H. H. Arnold
Special” flown away by Army... . Boeing
enters 10 teams in city basketball tourney.
. Knudsen again visits plants; announces
first accelerated scheduled quota fulfilled,
calls for even greater efforts.
MARCH — Planeview gets branch bank.
Boeing Bombers, City league basket-
ball champions, bow out of national tour-
nament after two victories. . . . 500 Boeing
mechanics and technicians go to four
Army air bases to assist in modification
program. . . Association stages big ice
show at Forum. . Employee gifts to
(Continued on Page 7)
JANUARY — Plant tours set
"Boeing Keeps Count of Its Servicemen and ‘Honors Its WwW r + Dead
BOEING
HONOR ROLL
WIGHITA DIVISION
ee
SERVING AS A DAILY REMINDER to every employee, two strategically located service boards like
this one opposite Plant | tell the number of former Boeing-Wichita employees who have entered
the Armed Forces since the war began.
The two boards carry small gold stars in memory of
employees who have lost their lives in the present conflict.
The boards are electrically lighted
and are placed across from Plant | and on the overpass above MacArthur road where everyone
entering and leaving the plants may see them
WITH SIMPLE DIGNITY AND REVERENCE,
employee who loses his life in the service of
mounted in a special memorial case.
Beneath each star is the name of the serviceman.
the badge and picture of each Boeing-Wichita
his country is superimposed on a gold star and
The
large star at the top records the total number of employees who have joined the Armed Forces.
Thousands of employees and visitors to the plants have seen the simple and impressive memorial
which now commemorates 57 men who gave their lives
BOEING PLANE TALK 3
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1944
If You Were to Come Home Tomorrow .. . Here Are Some of the Scenes —
Some Familiar and Some New — That You Would See In and Around Wichita
TGs
ed
(asaaeas, EEE
jan eeue * a
285868
RISING OUT OF THE KANSAS PLAIN, Wichita's skyline has changed little since war began despite city's rapid growth.
The above view is looking east from roof of Forum. Allis hotel (extreme right) is still state's tallest building. Biggest
change is in outlying districts where sprawling aircraft plants and mushrooming residential districts have pushed back
open fields. Unlike many towns in wartime, Wichita has few empty business buildings, almost no vacant dwellings. Rea-
sonable estimate of city's population is 185,000 compared with 114,000 in 1940
WITH TRAVEL BY MOTOR CAR restricted by gas rationing, buses and
trains bear the brunt of heavy wartime traffic. Here is the familiar
Santa Fe Trailways bus station in Wichita, its loading docks jammed
with people. Despite discomforts of present day travel both bus and
rail lines are carrying heaviest passenger loads in their history
LESS THAN TWO YEARS AGO the first families moved into Planeview, federal housing project covering almost a square
mile north of the Boeing plants. Today, Planeview is one of the four largest housing projects in the nation; is Kansas’
seventh largest city (pop. 18,600). Overwhelming percentage of its employed population work at Boeing. Planeview has
its own business section with stores, cafeteria, theater, bowling alleys, post office, fire and police departments. It also
has a model school system. Smaller projects are Hilltop Manor with over 1100 and Beechwood with 500 units
FUN IS WHERE YOU FIND IT and those you left behind still look for it in the old familiar
places. Wichita’s Blue Moon (night picture above) still features ‘‘name”’ bands. Most all “night
spots’ are closed. “No Beer" signs are everywhere. Popular with many Boeing men and
women is the new Recreation building shown above. The 100x40 feet building is latest addi-
tion to Boeing park, is ideal for departmental parties and especially convenient for second —
shifters who have weekly ‘‘come-as-you-are"’ dances beginning at 4 a.m.
DOUGLAS AVENUE is still Wichita’s ‘‘mainstem."' This is a scene looking east toward Market
street intersection. Bus line-up at left is typical. Biggest downtown crowds are on alternate
Saturday afternoons when Boeing plants are closed. Most of Wichita's stores are still doing
business at the same old stands. If you have something to sell— you can sell it in Wichita
SOMETHING NEW HAS BEEN ADDED. The Administration building at Wichita’s Municipal Air-
port has two new wings to provide more space for AAF's Midwestern Procurement District
offices. The airport now covers 1800 acres, is one of the busiest in the country with as many
as 2000 take-offs and landings a day. Airport grounds are still favorite spot for sightseers,
especially on hot summer nights
Visiting Servicemen Show Keen Interest
SINCE WAR BEGAN ‘“‘Travel by Bus" is more than
a slogan — it's a reality for thousands of Boeing
employees who arrive and leave the plants at the
twin terminals shown above. Stairways, ramps,
overpasses — even the giant suspension arches are
built of wood. Covered ‘islands’ permit loading
of 60 buses at one time. Boeing is served by two
city lines, scores of commuter buses
Te Gunn
CREW HAS LAST WORD
HEADQUARTERS, 20th BOMBER
COMMAND, SOMEWHERE IN INDIA.—
On a recent mission carried out by 20th
Bomber Command B-29 Superfortresses,
one of the big ships dropped its bombs
on docking facilities and shipping along
the China coast.
Before the plane reached its Western
China base, word came in that one
bomb had made a direct hit on a 500-
ton Japanese vessel, blowing it to bits.
The message —source of which is a
EAGER TO SEE THE B-29 IN PRODUCTION — men and women from all branches of service and
“Step back in the bus”
closely-guarded secret — concluded:
“How is that for intelligence?”
The reply went back: “Thanks. How
is that for precision bombing?”
from all parts of the country visit the Boeing plants daily. The regularly scheduled plant tours
every afternoon at 2 o'clock have been in operation since last January. Receptionists Gwen
Smith (left) and Lois Nighswonger answer questions for servicemen as they gather in the Plant II
lobby preparatory to making the plant tour
4 BOEING PLANE TALK FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1944
ABOVE: Night and day, B-29 Superfortresses move in steadily
growing numbers through the doors of Final Assembly. The wide
ramp north of Plant II is filled with B-29's. So is the huge park-
ing apron east of the plant. This view is looking east along the
two 300-feet wide north doors of Plant II
LEFT: The increased tempo of Superfortress production at Boeing-
Wichita has brought important changes to Major and Final Assem-
bly areas. Space in left foreground was formerly occupied by
shops making dorsal and vertical fins, stabilizers and wing panels.
This work is now done at Plant | and by subcontractors. Scene is
looking north along west assembly bay
LEFT BELOW: With clocklike precision, B-29 body sections move
at set hours toward Final Assembly. Forward pressurized cabins
minus their plexiglas noses are shown in this picture of Struc-
tural Body Assembly with bomb bay sections in upper left.
Offices above distribution aisle in background are comparatively
new, supply much-needed space
Cutaway View of 377
THE LUXURIOUS APPOINTMENTS of the Boeing Model 377 Strato-
cruiser, postwar transport, is shown in the artist's cutaway sketch
of a cross section of the plane. Upper deck is used for day
passenger seats convertible into berths. Lower rear cabin is
combination lounge and dining room. Circular stair joins decks
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1944 BOEING PLANE TALK 5
A Boeing-Wichita B-29 in Flight Above the Kansas Plains
THE NOISE OF RIVET GUNS AND DRILLS has invaded the Plant | paint room. Principal activity TYPICAL OF CONVERSION AT PLANT | is this scene in what once was Primary Assembly.
is making. B-29 stabilizer assemblies. PT painting is now done in part of the old dope room Instead of long rows of PT's, B-29 stabilizer spars now dominate the picture
PLANT | OFFICES WERE ALSO AFFECTED by B-29 conversion program.
Biggest change was moving of cafeteria from second to first floor where
Planning and Dispatching and part of Engineering were located. Expedite,
Production, Material Control and Tooling departments now occupy second
floor. Cafeteria still features good food
LEFT: PLANT I FINAL ASSEMBLY is now a forest of heavy B-29 jigs. Single
row of PT's is squeezed in far corner. Bridge-like jigs in distance are for
B-29 stabilizers. Stabilizer span is 43’3”; PT wing span is 32'2”
BROAD PARKING APRON across from
Plant Il is busy spot 24 hours a day.
Here B-29's get final check-ups before
delivery to the Army. Familiar sounds
are deep-throated roar of Superfortress
engines, staccato of plane's machine
guns and cannon during armament
tests. View is from south end of apron
BOEING PLANE TALK
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1944
A Five-Minute Furlough With the Girls Back Home
F YOU’RE wondering what the girls
back home are doing, here’s a pictorial
letter giving you a resume of the typical
Boeing girl’s day.
First off, back home there’s a definite
manpower shortage. In. fact, the word
“man” seems very remote to most girls.
Right now the home front is a striking
resemblance of a woman’s world — but
that’s not the way the girls would like to
have it. They’re just as anxious for you
to come home as you are to get back.
And in the meantime, they’re just biding
their time.
While they wait for your return, their
days go something like this:
1. At 5 in the morning the alarm blares
out reveille for the lass who works first
shift. Maxine Burnett yawns, sneaks a
couple more winks and then gets up to
meet the dawn.
2. Even though most of the men in a
Boeing gal’s life are “either too young or
too old,” there’s a certain amount of
primping that has to be done. Verres
Everts puts on her “face,’’ brushes her
hair and dashes down to breakfast. (Inci-
dentally, Verres is the daughter of “Ad”
Everts whose face has been a familiar one
around Boeing for the last 15 years. He’s
Fabrication superintendent at Plant II.)
3. It’s still dark when first shifters pile
out of cars and buses to begin their day’s
work. Five early birds who drive to the
plants together are (left to right) Betty
Sitton, LaVerne McGahan, Bettee Bell,
Joan Wharton and Helen Mitchell.
4. On the job—10 hours a day — Mary
Ann Breitenbach, an inspector, finds that
crawling around jigs and B-29 assemblies
is hard work. By the time 4:45 in the
afternoon rolls around, she’s pretty well
“done-in.”
5. In fact, all the girls are lagging a bit
by the end of the shift. You couldn’t tell
it, though, from the sparkle in Margaret
“Mike” Egan’s eyes as she clocks out. By
the way, lads, she was the Plant I rodeo
queen this fall.
6. But a woman’s work is never done —
darn it! After work, there’s always a bit
of tidying up to do, and Dorothy Kaup
shows you what a neat job can be done.
After clean-up time, there’s a dash to the
butcher’s, the baker’s, the corner grocery
or a seat at the nearest hamburger stand.
After all, a gal’s got to eat!
7. In the evening it’s more likely to be
MAIL than MALE. Readin’ and writin’
are the two favorite pastimes for the girls
who build B-29 Superfortresses. And nine
chances out of ten, she’s writing to a man
in service. When mail call comes around,
you can remember girls like Alva “Cud-
dles” Caudill, who write to about a dozen
servicemen every week.
And then to bed—to dream of the day
when a soldier, or a sailor or a marine
will be back home for-keeps. That’s a
typical first shifter’s day.
But on second shift, it’s a reverse
process:
8. Alta Pfaffiy (eft) arrives home from
work at 4 in the morning. Roommate
Betty Kendrick, who is a first shifter, gets
up to have breakfast with her. Except on
weekends, from 4 to 5:30 a.m. is the only
time they have together. Then Alta goes
to bed, and Betty goes to work.
9. About noon, when second shifters
usually get up, there’s the customary
pressing of slacks, writing of letters and
everything else that first shifters do in
the evening —including baths. That’s
Helen Clark in the tub.
10. Then some of the girls dash out for
lunch, to shop or to see a movie. Here
Rose Marie Crabtree drops in for a coke
with Marie “Lollie” Betzen.
11. Back home again before going to
work. Sometimes there’s a few minutes
for playing records before changing into
slacks and leaving for the plants. It’s
Rose Marie again — with certain tunes re-
minding her of a certain sailor. |
12. They come from miles around. For
lots of girls building B-29’s also means a
couple hours a day bouncing along in
commuter buses. But Katherena Eckert
(eft) and Alice Montgomery look none
the worse for extra hours of travel to and
from their homes in Belle Plaine and Win-
field, respectively.
13. And then to the night shift to take
up where the girls on the day shift leave
off. Lillian Nigg works on B-29 tail assem-
blies at Plant I. Her workday begins at
4:45 a.m. and ends at 3:30 a.m.
14. Back home about 4 am., and it’s
Alta again awakening Betty to read the
latest from one of her servicemen.
First shift, second shift — all around the
clock. It’s a busy world, a fascinating
world — but, with all, a curiously empty
one for thousands of Boeing girls who wait
at home for their men who have gone
away to war.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1944
BOEING PLANE TALK
The Air Medal and two Oak Leaf
Clusters were awarded to S/Sgt. Emmett
Shuck, stationed in England with the
Eighth Air Force. This former assist-
ant foreman of
Shop 540 recently
enjoyed a “recess”
from aerial war-
fare at an Air
Service Command
rest center. ti
Edward Sisk S l/c,
formerly in Depart-
ment 75, has been
in New Guinea
nine months. He
iSmeUnCeeSOnew OL
Thelma Sisk (405).
Pvt. Ray C.
Rovenstine, formerly assistant foreman
of Shop 405, and Pvt. Wilbert M. Karl-
owski, milling machine operator in
Shop 120, are stationed at Camp
Wolters, Tex.
E. V. Davis CMM, member of the Sea-
bees, has returned
from the Pacific
theater and is sta-
tioned at Port
Hueneme, Calif....
Pfc. Jack D. Da-
Vault, stock clerk
in Shop 47 from
July, 1941, to Feb-
ruary, 1943, is now
somewhere in
France. ... “Win-
ning balance of
power” is the way
Pvt. Garwin D.
Thomas, gas test technician for two
years in Shop 365, describes the B-29. He
is stationed at Clovis, N. M.
Sgt. William L. Pipes, waist gunner
and aircraft armorer on a B-17, is en-
gaged in bombing German defenses.
The sergeant was
an inspector here.
...H. Dale Hamp-
ton ARM 3/c, junior
weight recorder in
Department 71 for
a year, is with a
carrier aircraft serv-
ice unit... . After
training at Fort
Leavenworth, Cpl.
William B. Estill,
former draftsman
in Department 92,
was sent overseas
as an electrical expert on the super-
chargers of heavy bombers. An
eager follower of the B-29’s career is
Cpl. Reuben Haas, benchman in Shop
60 for over a year, now stationed with
the AAF in Italy. S/Sgt. Ronald Zim-
belman, a former riveter in Department
55, is also overseas. . . . The one-time
assistant foreman of Shop 100, Robert
C. Wilburn, F 2/c, was transferred re-
cently to Terminal Island, San Pedro,
Calif.
Sgt. Richard A. Brady who was an
assembler and finisher in Department
58 is a member of
Le the Marine Corps.
s Glenn Herrel AM
1/c, employed in
October, 1941, as a
riveter in Shop 42,
is now serving
overseas. He is the
son of Mazie A.
Herrel (89) and
nephew of George
Bond (226). ;
Cpl. Alfred V. Col-
lins, former em-
ployee of Shop
266, has been flying in B-17’s as part of
his gunnery instructor’s course at La-
redo, Tex.
Dallas Earl Crim, 2/c, is serving on
the USS Parle. He
was an assembly
finisher in Shop 21.
... Lt. (j.g.) Frank
L. Best, engineer
in the Navy Air
Corps, has been in
Australia for the
past 16 months. He
was employed in
June, 1941, in In-
spection, Plant I,
and was an In-
spection foreman
in the Salvage de-
partment when he left here, March 6,
1943. Art Best (500-2) is his brother.
Pvt. Johnnie Moore, who left here last
February to join the Marines, was re-
cently home on leave, told his friends
at Boeing he expected to see plenty of
action before long. At the time he left
Boeing, Johnnie was supervisor of sup-
Edward Sisk
Jack D. DaVault
William B. Estill
Glenn Herrel
Frank L. Best
plies, printing and communications in
the Treasury division. He worked here
four years.
Pvt. Carl K. Holt, assembler of sheet
metal in Shop 245 for almost three
years, and Pvt. Paul Fletcher, a
shaper operator in
Shop 102 for two
years, were gradu-
ated from the Arm-
ament department
at Lowry Field,
Denver, in Septem-
ber. Everett
Raymond Sanders,
F 1/c, riveter in De-
partment 58 from
January to August
in 1942, is a mem-
ber of the Navy
Air Corps.
Hershel Russell, Jr., AMM 3/c, former
saw grinder in Shop 60, and George S.
Handy AM 2/c, brake operator for over
a year, are overseas in the Navy... .
Pfc. Lyle W. Mas-
sey, former Re-
ceiving employee,
is now in France
working on _ the
railroad. ... Glen
Lightfoot, Jr. S 1/c,
son of C. Glenn
Lightfoot (60), is
serving with the
armed guard cen-
ter in the Pacific.
Beginning as a
trainee in Shop
510 in October of
1943, he was a sheet metal worker at
the time of his termination in February
of this year. ... Pfc. Glenn H. Conine,
who worked at Plant I during his high
school summer va-
cation in 1943, was
inducted into the
Marines in Decem-
ber, went overseas
in April and has
seen action in the
Pacific. He is the
son of Ruth H.
Conine (22).
Joseph L. Hig-
gins (40) and Lola
V. .Higgins (200)
are proud of their
son, Kenneth L.
Everett R. Sanders
Lyle W. Massey
Virgil K. Lacey
‘Higgins, a former employee in Depart-
ment 38, who is now serving on the
Coast Guard cutter, S. S. Campbell,
somewhere in the Atlantic. Kenneth has
five brothers, two
brothers - in - law,
and five uncles
serving in the
Armed Forces. .. .
Paul H. Polage
Eel Cie Sam SOmmcl
member of the
Coast Guard. He,
too, was a riveter
in Department 38.
he Virgil K.
Lacey S 2/c, for-
Everett Lickey mer sheet metal
assembler in Shop
8, is somewhere in the Pacific, serving
aboard the USS Black.
A pair of Boeing twins are in the
service, one in the Army and one in the
Navy. Everett
Lickey MM 3/c,
former stock clerk
in Shop 47, en-
listed in the Navy
and is serving in
theSolomon Islands
while his twin,
Pvt. Ernest Lickey,
one-time jig builder
in Shop 67, en-
listed in the Army.
Ernest was
wounded October
20, according to
word received by his parents. ... Pvt.
Gerald E. Ryun, saw operator in Shop
120, is stationed with a medical outfit
at Camp Barkeley, Tex. ... Sgt. Donald
E. Knott, employed as expediter from
January, 1941, to January, 1943, was a
combat gunner on a B-25 Mitchell
bomber with the 12th Air Force which
gave air support in the invasion of
Southern France.
S/Sgt. Mahlon Morley, former em-
ployee in Receiving, has been awarded
the Air Medal and one Oak Leaf Cluster
for “meritorious achievement while par-
ticipating in sustained bomber combat
operations over Germany and German
occupied countries.” He is an aerial
engineer on a Boeing B-17 and is sta-
tioned in England. Sergeant Morley is
a brother of Twila Horkman (93).
Ernest Lickey
BUT THE FIREPLACE ISN'T DECORATED. It hardly needs decoration, however, with the lovely old
teapot in front of it. The antique piece of pottery is interesting and adds to the appearance of
the fireplace. And INCIDENTALLY, the girl in the picture is Georgena Brannon, Boeing beauty
queen for 1944. An illustrator in the Production department, she’s keenly interested in Art —
he's overseas with the Navy these days
SPECIFICATION CHART
(Index to strategic materials listed in this issue)
Part Number Location
Maxine Burnett
Verres Everts
Betty Sitton
LaVerne McGahan
Bettee Bell
Joan Wharton
Helen Mitchell
Mary Ann Breitenbach
Margaret Egan
Dorothy Kaup
Alva Caudill
Alta Pfaffly
Betty Kendrick
Helen Clark
Rose Marie Crabtree
Marie Betzen
Katherena Eckert
Alice Montgomery
Lillian Nigg
Georgena Brannon
Louise Thomas
Lois Nighswonger
Gwendolyn Smith
Aileen Anderson
Katherine Gillen
Marian Reed
343 N. Holyoke
1509 W. Douglas
2956 S. Clifton
2643 Grail
2877 S. Roosevelt
Too bad, she’s married!
227 S. Terrace Drive
1838 Park Place
403 S. Hydraulic
343 N. Holyoke
514 N. Topeka, Apt. 8
514 N. Topeka, Apt. 8
1600 E. Central
302 S. Holyoke
475 Mathewson Court
Belle Plaine
420 W. 11th, Winfield
Colwich
422 S. Volutsia
416 N. Emporia
300 S. Bluff
1340 N. Hillside
She’s married, too!
1065 N. Topeka
1050 N. Topeka
314 N. Broadway, Apt. 12
Color Code Dimensions
Eyes Hair Height Bust W’st Hips Wt.
brown brunette 5/2" 34 26 36 125
blue brunette 5/2” 34 23 34 105
blue brunette 5/6” 33 24 35 123
blue blonde 5/5” 33 26 35 118
green titian 5/5” 34 25 35 125
blue blonde 5/2” 32 24 34.118
brown black 5716" 34 26 36 125
brown brunette 5'414” 34 24 35. 122
grey brunette ule 28°) 23) 31 96
green brunette 5816/3224 85 10%
blue auburn o3%” 34 23 35 111
blue brunette 5/21%4” 33 22 34 110
blue brunette Obi G4 eo Ome COMI:
blue blonde 5’4” 34 25 35 117
brown brunette 5/3” 33 24 34 108
blue blonde 5’4” 32 24 34 108
brown brunette 9/2” 32 24 35 109
blue brunette 5/3” 34 24 35 123
grey blonde 5/4” 34 23 35 120
blue brunette 5/38 "34-223) 43457113
green brunette 5'516") °33 °-25. 35 110
blue blonde 51” 33 24 34 110
brown brunette 5'6” 34 25 35 126
blue red Biau 34 26 36 128
Since You Went Away
Red Cross reach $131,000. Special
twice-a-day news broadcasts inaugurated
in plants through radio station KFBI... .
Boeing Bombshells, undefeated in City
league, lose in third round of national
women’s basketball tourney.
APRIL — One of worst floods in Wich-
ita’s history hits city, many employees
forced out of homes by high water, scores
unable to reach work. . . . Boeing Chorus
featured on national radio show. 4
Amazing horsepower of B-29, four engines
developing a total of 8,800 horsepower,
revealed. . Price of milk and coffee
increased to 6 cents a serving at all plant
food facilities except vending machines.
. . . Knudsen again visits plants, declares
B-29 most important plane being built.
Undersecretary of War Patterson
comes to plants, terms B-29 program most
important in the nation, Boeing-Wichita’s
job “most urgent.”
MAY — Nearly 100 newspaper, magazine,
radio representatives, accompanied by
high-ranking Army officers, spent three
days at plants in first official B-29 press
conference at which the Boeing Superfor-
tress is unveiled for first time. . . . Thou-
sands attend old-fashioned family picnic in
Boeing Park. . . . Work halts 10 minutes
on both shifts while employees pay tribute
to memory of plant’s gold star men and
nation’s war dead... . “Spotlight Bands”
radio program salutes Boeing-Wichita.
JUNE — May production announced as
reaching new high; record praised by
President P. G. Johnson on visit here... .
Employees thrilled by announcement Boe-
ing-Wichita B-29’s have made first bomb-
ing raid on Japan. ... Raid causes War
Department to release B-29 details to pub-
lic, results in world-wide publicity for fine
work being performed here. ... Employees
exceed $1,200,000 War Bond goal and “pur-
chase” two B-29’s for presentation to
Army. ... Boeing board of directors holds
annual Wichita meeting here.
JULY — Production “blitz’ hits plants,
employees working 20 consecutive 10-hour
days to meet emergency requests of Army.
. . Already high attendance mark rises
to highest mark in history. . . . New mile-
stone reached with Plant I delivering
10,000th equivalent Kaydet primary
trainer... . “Gen. H. H. Arnold Special”
crew sends back detailed reports on bomb-
ing raids on Japan. . . Employees set
all-time high attendance records as de-
mands increase for B-29 production. .. .
New Boeing Magazine makes bow. ...
The “Eddie Allen” and the “293,” B-29’s
purchased by employees with War Bonds,
dedicated at ceremonies attended by thou-
sands on Plant II flight apron.
“house completed
(Continued from Page 2)
AUGUST — Army highly pleased at our
attainment of B-29 production goal for
July. ... Visit in July of Maj. Gen. Curtis
LeMay, new chief of the 20th Bomber
Command (B-29’s) in CBI theater, re-
vealed. . Elmer Blanchat (50), Cecil
Barlow (71), and H. B. Courtney (50), re-
ceive 10-year service pins; 47 others get
5-year pins. . . . 10,000th PT produced at
Plant I is reported in service at Chickasha,
Okla., Army air base.
SEPTEMBER — Wichita downtown stores
display Boeing B-29 parts and equipment
with theme “Japan is our assignment.”
. Employees Association rodeo draws
record crowds at Lawrence Stadium... .
Formerly restricted, information is re-
leased on B-29 fire power. . . . Philip G.
Johnson, Boeing president, dies in Wichita
hospital following stroke suffered during
visit here. .. . Cigaret shortage begins to
be felt in plants. . . . Newsreel camera-
men make first movie shots in Plant I.
OCTOBER — An estimated 50,000 people
visit both plants at big Sunday open house.
. .. General Wolfe commends us for bear-
ing brunt of B-29 spares program.
Further combat reports received from
“General Arnold Special.” . . . Union con-
tract is renewed; the first year of union
agreement offering a splendid testimonial
to understanding and cooperation between
labor and management — friendly relations
and no loss of time in disputes. . . . Boeing-
Wichita receives new order for B-29’s,
latest numbering 700 Superfortresses. ...
Wichita Forum jammed as Vox Pop radio
program is broadcast nationally as a salute
to men and women of Boeing; five Boeing
employees participate in show as do 11
Army airmen forming first B-29 combat
crew to return to U. S. ... . Employee
contributions to Wichita Community-War
Chest exceed $105,000.
NOVEMBER — Combat crew of Boeing
B-29 “Mysterious Mistress” spends day at
plants, praises Superfortress and efforts of
employees to turn them out in great num-
bers. . . . New Clubhouse in Boeing Park
completed. ... Employees win fifth Army-
Navy “E” Award. ... Boeing employment
office moved from downtown location back
to plants, shift denoting no cessation in
hiring program. . . . Acute shortage of
cigarets results in decision to remove
vending machines — impossible to make an
equitable distribution of the meager sup-
ply received. ... Group of newsmen from
War Department in Washington visits
plants for press conference and to view
B-29 production. Thanksgiving an-
nounced as full work day. . . . New club-
in Boeing Park. ...
Gradual increase in B-29 production
schedules started.
Stratocruiser
(Continued from Page 1)
which it is capable, or as an all-cargo
plane with 17% tons payload.
A pressurized cabin along the same
lines as that of the B-29 Superfortress
maintains 8,000-foot altitude conditions
up to 30,000 feet.
This newest addition to the Boeing
family, known as the Boeing Model 377
and named the Stratocruiser, utilizes
the B-29 wings and other aerodynamic
advancements which have proved so
successful on the Superfortress. The
tail surfaces and landing gear are the
same as the B-29’s but the volume is
much larger than that of the Super-
fortress and the fuselage is 12 feet
longer. Its height of 33 feet, 8 inches
also exceeds that of the B-29.
Is Inverted ‘‘Figure 8”
The two decks of the new airplane
are achieved by building one fuselage
on top of another, the top section being
longer and the two streamlining into
each other. The bottom section is the
same diameter as the B-29, and the top
section slightly larger with a width of
more than 11 feet. A cross-section of
the plane thus resembles an inverted
figure “8.”
The .transport now being flown at
Seattle is a military version of the air-
plane Boeing will build for the imme-
diate postwar market, according to C. L.
Egtvedt, Boeing chairman. For the
present all production will be for mili-
tary purposes.
Research in Other Fields
Development of the new airplane for
commercial use in peacetime is tangible
evidence that aviation will continue to
be the prime objection of the Boeing
company following the war. However,
an extensive program of research and
study has been carried out in the last
two years so that other fields will be
open to Boeing engineering and indus-
trial skill and facilities in event aviation
does not require their full use.
These cover a wide range of possibili-
ties such as forms of transportation
other than aircraft, refrigeration and
household articles, along with extensive
research, economic as well as engineer-
ing, of the private owner airplane,
feeder line transport and advanced
military aircraft.
Boeing is not waiting until after the
war to develop a peacetime industrial
program. How and when that program
will become effective depends on many
factors, military and economic, which
cannot be determined until the war is
won on all fronts.
“Gotta quit smokin’ — my
folks need my cigarets.”
John F. Dennis, Jr., is serving aboard
an aircraft carrier as an aviation ma-
chinist’s mate. He was a tool prover in
Shop 69 from October, 1940, to July, 1944.
BOEING PLANE TALK
Record of Accomplishment
REPRESENTATIVE OF THE COLLECTIVE EFFORTS of thousands of loyal Boeing-Wichita employees,
including those now serving in the Armed Forces, are these five typical Boeing men and women
who have helped to earn five consecutive Army-Navy ‘‘E'’ Awards. From left to right they are:
F. C. Morehouse, inspector, Plant II; Pearl Geiser, electrical wirer, Plant II; Forrest Jones, Final
Assembly, Plant 1; Nell Streater, timekeeper, Plant Il; and Lewis Atkinson, welder, Plant |.
To most Boeing employees “'E’’ Awards represent recognition for their hard work dating
back to the days when Plant | began the accelerated production of training planes. Of under-
lying importance is the fact that Boeing-Wichita has never failed to deliver training planes,
B-17 assemblies, gliders and B-29's in the quantities needed — when they were needed
General Arnold
(Continued from Page 1)
and skill of its pilot following a take-
off from a base in China for a mission
against Japanese industrial targets.
The skillful piloting and heroism which
also saved the lives of his crew mem-
bers has resulted in an award of the
Distinguished Flying Cross for Maj.
Boyce C. Anderson, pilot from Timpson,
Tex,
“Immediately after take-off on a
Superfortress mission to Anshan, Man-
churia, the B-29 which Major Anderson
was piloting blew a cylinder on No. 4
engine,” the official citation reads, con-
tinuing:
“The engine then caught fire and
soon the entire wing was enveloped in
flames. The flames streamed backward
beyond the tail of the airplane.
“Major Anderson, by skillful piloting,
initiative, and judgment succeeded in
maintaining control of his aircraft and
gained sufficient altitude to enable cer-
tain members of his crew to parachute
to safety.
“Major Anderson then saw that the
fire was bought under control.
“In addition, so as not to disrupt the
sequence of take-offs and delay other
B-29’s on the mission, Major Anderson
continued to circle over his home base
on three engines at an approximate
gross weight of 130,000 pounds until all
others B-29 take-offs had been com-
pleted.”
The mechanical mishap caused the
“Special’s” first abortive mission. The
big bomber has since participated in
three raids.
SON RECEIVES DFC
First Lt. J. C. Koontz, son of John
Koontz (535), has been awarded the
Distinguished Flying Cross for his
skilled leadership of group and wing
formations on three important missions
over Europe.
The Eighth Air Force flier received
the following citation: “In the face of
dense cloud formations on all these occa-
sions, and anti-aircraft fire on two occa-
sions, Lieutenant Koontz, by exceptional
piloting ability, led combat formations
in successful attacks.”
IT’S QUITE A JOB keeping tab on 6110 Boeing men and women in service — but these three
do it. Marian Reed (left), of the Employees Association, sends you PLANE TALK and BOEING
MAGAZINE when you request them. Katherine Gillen (center), of the Personnel Records Office,
helps to take care of your file folders, containing data on the days when-you were punching a
time-clock at Boeing. Aileen Anderson (right), correspondent for the Employees Service depart-
ment, keeps informed of your whereabouts so that employees may keep in touch with you
RECEIVE PLANE TALK?
If you do not receive Plane Talk
regularly — and would like to have
it — drop us a note requesting it. If
you keep us posted of your changes
of address, we'll keep it coming to
you each week.
News from you is eagerly read by
those you left behind. Let us know
where and how you are. Too, we'd
like your comment on this issue.
Reprinted from the December issue of Esquire
‘When [get home I'm going to sue Hollywood
for misrepresentation”
S/Sgt. John E. Woods, radio operator
in the “Black Death’ Marauder group,
has been promoted to the grade of
technical sergeant at his base in the
European theater. The Sergeant,
employee in Shop 63 until January,
1943, holds the Soldiers’ Medal, the
Purple Heart, the Air Medal with ten
Bronze and two Silver Oak Leaf
Clusters. His mother, Natalina T.
Woods, has been a machine shop in-
spector for two years.
FORMER WORKER IS ATC PILOT
Lt. Gene B. Butterfield, employee in
Department 85 for over two years, is
stationed at an Air Transport Com-
mand training school near Reno, Nev.
He received his commission and Army
Air Forces wings this summer and
attended the AAF Training Command’s
B-24 Liberator co-pilot school at Keesler
Field for five weeks.
SENDS WORD FROM KODIAK
From Kodiak, Alaska, Marshall E.
Hargrave, S 1/e (no relation to See Here
Private Hargrove) sends greetings to
his fellow workers in Shop 8. His wife,
former employee in Department 72, is
now living in Mapleton, Iowa. The
young couple have a three-month-old
daughter, Carolyn Kay.
STATIONED IN ISLANDS
Roy E. Hastings, S 2/c, former riveter
in Shop 245, has been transferred to the
Seabees and is now stationed in the
Hawaiian Islands.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1944
Recap of Raids
(Continued from Page 1)
sunk here, a bolt tightened there, and a
hundred and one other jobs that go into
a completed B-29. .
It was something tangible, something
really accomplished, a fitting climax to
long hours and hard work. The Army
did not reveal until later that there
had been an even earlier raid, a test
run against Bangkok in Japanese-held
Thailand (Siam).
Seven Raids in Three Months
From June on, the Japs learned to
know the deep-throated roar of the
Boeing B-29 engines and to feel the
thunderous explosion of its bombs. The
Superfortresses, taking off from secret
bases in China, ranged far and wide to
smash the very sources of Japan’s war
machine. The Naval base at Sasebo, the
steel works at Anshan in Manchuria,
the huge oil refinery at Palembang,
Sumatra, the big industrial plants at
Nagasaki in Japan, and again Yawata
—all felt the destruction of Superfort-
ress bombs in July and August.
September marked two more return
trips to finish off Anshan. Then, in the
space of four short days in October, the
B-29’s thrilled everybody at home with
three blows at Formosa to help the
Navy turn back the Japanese imperial
fleet and assure success in the Philip-
pines invasion.
Hit Hard and Often
The triple attack on Formosa marked
a rapid stepping up in Superfortress
operations. The big Boeing bombers
went to the Japanese home island of
Kyushu October 25, to Rangoon in
Burma November 3, Singapore and
Sumatra November 5. Then came the
big climax on Armistice Day, Novem-
ber 11, with a three-pronged B-29 offen-
sive against Nankin, Shanghai and
Omura, the latter the site of a big Jap
aircraft factory.
With the tempo of B-29 raids being
stepped-up month by month, the Super-
fortress is beginning to fulfill the fond-
est hopes of its builders. The B-29’s
rolling off the lines here forecast a
gloomy future for Japan — the magnifi-
cent young men who fly them and
service them will see to that.
Liberty Ship Gunner
Helps Bag Jap Zero
Sidney Olmstead, a former employee
of Shop 80, was mentioned in a recent
radio newscast as a crew member of
the S. S. David Dudley Field, Liberty
ship which claims two firsts in the
recent Leyte Island invasion.
The vessel claims to be the first
Liberty ship to arrive in the Philippines
and the first Liberty ship to shoot down
a Zero in the area. The Kansas boy, who
worked here during the summer of
1942, is a gunner on the ship.
Four of his relatives are now
employed at Boeing-Wichita. His uncle
and aunt, H. Deloss Olmstead and Julia
Olmstead work in Shops 63 and 21
respectively. A cousin, Dale Olmstead,
has been assistant foreman of Shop 401
for almost four years, and Dale’s wife,
Helen, is an employee in Department
61. His mother, Virginia Olmstead,
formerly worked in Department 51. All
members of the family are from Doug-
lass, Kansas.
SCHNEIDER AT LAREDO
Pfe. Robert F. Schneider, assistant
foreman in Shop 235 until his termina-
tion in May, 1944, was among the service
men who toured the plant a few weeks
ago. He is stationed at Laredo Army Air
Field, Laredo, Tex., with a gunnery
squadron.
“Pilot to navigator ... WHEEEE!”