80 years ago, July 1943: Riveter at work on an aircraft, possibly a PB2Y-3 Coronado patrol bomber hull, at Consolidated-Vultee (Convair) Aircraft Plant, San Diego, California.
Original color photo by Jacobs via the National Archives. 80-G-K-15117
The female war worker is “dressed right for safety.”
Of the Consolidated plant, Mr. Jacobs captured several great Kodachromes during the same visit that are so crisp and clear they look like they were taken yesterday.
PB2Y and PB4Y Construction at Consolidated Vultee Plant in San Diego, California. 80-GK-15708
Women workers rivet wing section of PB2Y at Consolidated-Vultee Plant, San Diego, Calif. 80-GK-15704
Original Caption: “Women workers sort electrical wiring for PB2Y’s at Consolidated Vultee Plant, Downey, Calif. 80-GK-15702
Construction of PB2Y-3s shown at Consolidated-Vultee plant, San Diego, Calif. Lunchtime under camouflage netting at the plant. 80-GK-15144
Construction of PB2Y-3 is shown at Consolidated Vultee plant, San Diego, Calif. Interior of the plane is checked under camouflage netting. Note the Arco gun turret. 80-GK-15122
Consolidated Vultee Aircraft Factory, San Diego, California. Caption: Women workers lunching under the plant’s camouflage netting, July 1943. Planes in the background are PB2Ys. Photo by Jacobs. 80-G-K-15143
Consolidated Vultee Aircraft Plant, San Diego, California. Caption: Parts stockyard under the camouflage netting at the Consolidated Aircraft Factory, July 1943. Assemblies in the foreground are waist gun turrets for PBY patrol bombers. Note the “Work to Win” sign on the loading dock in the distance. Photograph by Jacobs. 80-G-K-15146
The commercial camouflage industry in the 1942-45 era was on point!
In all, Consolidated would produce no less than 739 PB4Y-2 Privateers (navalised B-25s), 977 PB4Y-1s, and 217 PB2Y Coronados during the war, as well as 1,871 PBY Catalinas, providing the backbone of the WWII Allied patrol bomber force.
By 1945, the company employed 45,000 around the Bay Area– under cover.