Video Parts (3)
This clip is Part 1 of a 3-part film.
VISIT TO THE FORD AIRPORT AT DEARBORN, MICHIGAN, U.S.A. WHERE STOUT METAL AIRPLANES ARE MADE, A Part 1
Description
The original catalog description provided by the Ford Motor Company reads as follows: “Detroit -- Motor Capitol of America.” “Dearborn, suburb of Detroit.” Aerial views - man closing door of ‘Spirit of St. Louis,’ crowd on opposite side of plane. “Baron Von Huenefeld.” “Mr. Edsel Ford.” “Major Fitzmaurice.” “Captain Koehl.” “Mr. Ford’s laboratory and office, adjoining airport.” Aerial view. “Ford Airport, Dearborn, Michigan.” Aerial view. “The factory and main hangar group.” Aerial view. “Some of the completed planes ready to be flown away.” Ford all metal Tri-Motor planes on airfield. “All incoming material is carefully inspected before being placed in stock.” Workers placing sheets of metal on tables, measuring it - pipe being weighed. “Alclad and Duraluminum metal sheets -- the material out of which the planes are made.” Hand picking up edges of metal sheets. “Corrugating the sheets for stiffness.” Sheet metal running through corrugating press. “Heat treat pots -- the secret of the surprising strength of these alloys, as strong as steel and only one-third the weight.” Metal being dipped into vat of hot liquid. “Big Power Presses stamp out spars and channels.” Workers operating large press. “Buffing and polishing special sections.” Worker using power buffer. “All metal is sprayed and painted for protection against the elements.” Spray painting part. “All parts are inspected again before going to the assembly racks -- in fact every assembly division has its own inspector.” Worker inspecting parts, placing them on shelves. “Each assembly section has stock rack close at hand with all the needed parts.” Worker inspecting parts, placing them on shelves. “Metal jigs assure absolute accuracy and interchangeability.” Workers assembling parts using metal frame for form. “Gas tanks are aluminum welded.” Workers welding frames and gas tanks. “The body of the plane takes form on the final assembly fuselage jigs, in the center of the plant.” Workers assembling plane frame, attaching metal skin using riveting guns. “While the wings grow on jigs paralleling the fuselage assembly.” “Main wing spars.” Close-up of worker using riveting machine. “Installation of electrical riveting machines at final assembly jig for Tri-Motor center section spar.” Close-up of two workers using equipment - views of assembly lines, workers in teams. “Wing tip jig made vertical to conserve floor space.” Worker inspecting assembly. “About to set the center section on the fuselage.” [1928]
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