Military Secret: A fake city on the roof of a Boeing factory during World War II

During World War II, the production of one B-17 bomber cost the United States a little more than $ 200,000, in the modern economy this amount is equivalent to $ 3.4 million. And since the United States Army ordered thousands of such aircraft, the country wanted to take all measures to ensure the safety of the plant. "Take all measures" meant hiring Hollywood designers to set up a fake residential area on the factory roof and get the actors to settle in the area.

The town that protected the plant from potential airstrikes was built in 1944 and dismantled a year after the war. John Stuart Detley was a Hollywood designer who helped hide the Boeing plant from prying eyes. He used the same methods as in the movies: fake streets, sidewalks, trees, fences, cars and houses were installed on the roof to trick the attackers.

Under this ideal town of Hollywood films, 30,000 men and women built about 300 bombers a month to support the fight against the Nazis.

In the 60s, the first Boeing 737 was built at the same plant. But soon its production moved to another plant nearby. In the 80s, a machine shop was located here, but he soon moved to a more modern facility. As a result, in 2010, Boeing began the demolition of the plant.

At first glance, this is a typical day off in a small town.

But beneath this peaceful city was a great military secret: the Boeing factory.

During the Second World War, the U.S. Army established a whole residential area here to prevent possible attacks from the air.

In the town, camouflage trees and structures were smaller than man.

The trees were made of wire mesh and chicken feathers.

Buildings that looked like cars from above are “parked” on a fake street.

A bird's eye view shows that fake streets merged with real residential neighborhoods located nearby.

Aerial view of a Boeing factory from a height of a couple of thousand meters. The photo was taken in 1944-45.

Thousands of Boeing workers gathered in front of the plant for the ceremony of transitioning from production of the B-17 to production of the B-29, April 10, 1945.

The first B-52A was rolled out of the Seattle Boeing factory on March 18, 1954.

Cab construction B-17G.

Production Line B-17F.

Watch the video: Stories from the Northwest: WWII - Boeing Under Cover (May 2024).