| During World War II, the American airframe manufacturers established cooperative organizations for the purpose of assisting the war effort. The largest and most powerful of these concerns was the Aircraft War Production Council, begun in 1942 by Douglas, Lockheed, North American, Northrop, Ryan, Vega, Vultee, and Consolidated. Boeing would join in 1943. This Council was soon followed by the Aircraft War Production Council, East Coast, representing the Aviation Corporation, Bell, Brewster, Curtiss-Wright, Eastern Aircraft, Fairchild, Martin, and Republic Aviation. This study makes use of these two Councils to understand the nature of airframe manufacture during the war, emphasizing labor issues, industrial research, and manufacturing techniques. The Councils illustrate differences among firms in their technological cultures, as well as regional differences within the industry. As cooperative organizations, these groups established effective technology transfer through strong leadership and small project oriented committees. The study shows that the aircraft industry used these cooperative organizations to further regional aims and ensure post-war economic survival. |
