Bookcover: The Dallas Story: The North American Aviation Plant and Industrial Mobilization during World War II

The Dallas Story: The North American Aviation Plant and Industrial Mobilization during World War II

vol. 16: War and the Southwest Series

Terrance Furgerson — author. 

March, 2023

Published

416

Pages

25 b&w illus. Notes. Bib. Index.

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$40.00

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About Furgerson's The Dallas Story

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During World War II the United States mobilized its industrial assets to become the great “Arsenal of Democracy” through the cooperation of the government and private firms. The Dallas Story examines a specific aviation factory, operated by the North American Aviation (NAA) company in Dallas, Texas. Terrance Furgerson explores the construction and opening of the factory, its operation, its relations with the local community, and the closure of the facility at the end of the war.

Prior to the opening of the factory in 1941, the city of Dallas had practically no existing industrial base. Despite this deficiency, the residents quickly learned the craft of manufacturing airplanes, and by the time of the Pearl Harbor attack the NAA factory was mass-producing the AT-6 trainer aircraft. The entry of the United States into the war brought about an enlargement of the NAA factory, and the facility began production of the B-24 Liberator bomber and the famed P-51 Mustang fighter. By the end of the war the Texas division of NAA had manufactured nearly 19,000 airplanes, making it one of the most prolific U.S. factories.

About the Author

TERRANCE FURGERSON is a professor of history at Collin College, near Dallas, Texas. He holds a doctorate from the University of North Texas, with a concentration in American military history. While pursuing his graduate studies he became aware of the Texas operations of North American Aviation, initiating research into the creation and operation of this unheralded factory.

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