Building the B-29: The Subcontractor’s list

Building the B-29: The Subcontractor’s list

During World War 2, the production of the B-29 aircraft was one of the most complex and diverse manufacturing projects undertaken in the United States.

The project was executed through the coordination of thousands of subcontractors who supplied various components or assemblies to the four main production plants: Boeing operated these plants in Renton, Washington, and Wichita, Kansas, Glenn L. Martin in Omaha, Nebraska, and Bell in Marietta, Georgia.

In contrast, the B-24 aircraft relied on a significantly smaller number of subcontractors, with as many as 100 firms involved in its production, some of whom also utilized additional subcontractors.

B-29 Martin-Omaha subcontractors
The nationwide manufacturing of the B-29 required the efforts of thousands of subcontractors to supply the necessary components to the main production plants. (U.S. Air Force Photo via Chris Howlett)

The following is an incomplete list of the B-29 subcontractors during World War 2:

NameLocationU.S. StateProductComments
Acme Chromium Plating Co.New HavenConnecticutStuds for R-3350 engines
Acme Oil Burner Co.Cedar RapidsIndianaFuel Injector Valves
Acme Wire CompanyNew HavenConnecticutMagnetic wire & coil windings for ignition
AiResearch Manufacturing Co.PhoenixArizonaCabin pressure valves
Exit flap control systems
Airplane Products Inc.JolietIllinoisB-29s parts
American Can. Co.PortlandOregonB-29 parts
American Screw Co.ProvidenceRhode IslandB-29 components
American Screw Prods.NewarkNew JerseyR-3350 engine injectors Fuses
Andover Motors Co.ElmiraNew YorkB-29 Aux. Motor
Apex Tool Co.BridgeportConnecticut B-29 parts
Atwood Vacuum Machine Co.RockfordIllinoisAmmunition bomb lugs
B.B JensvoldOlympiaWashingtonB-29 tunnels
Bailey Machine Co.PlainvilleConnecticutAluminum plugs, body lead, contacts & ferrule
Baldwin Co.CincinnatiOhioWing tips
Ailerons
Ballard Plastics Corp.SeattleWashingtonMolded plastics items
Barco Mfg. CompanyChicagoIllinoisB-29 Parts, Flexible Joints
Bead Chain Mfg. Co.BridgeportConnecticut Radar parts
Bechtel-McCone Corp.BirminghamAlabamaAirplane modificationU.S. Government Modification Center No. 14
Bell Aircraft Corp. MariettaGeorgiaCompleted B-29U.S. Government Assembly Plant No. 6.
Bell produced 663 B-29s in Marietta
Bell Machine. Co.PhiladelphiaPennsylvaniaB-29s Pilot Control
Benk Machine ShopSt. PaulMinnesotaBomb Rack Parts
Berco Manufacturing Co.ChicagoIllinoisLanding gears
Bethel Machine Co.DanburyConnecticut R-3350 engine parts
Biekford & Carrier CompanyGreenfieldMassachusettsControl Valve, Gas Inj.
Blacher Bros.ProvidenceRhode IslandB-29 components
Boeing Airplane Co.WichitaKansasCompleted B-29Boeing produced 1630 B-29s in Wichita
Boeing Airplane Co., Boeing Aircraft Co. Division RentonWashingtonCompleted B-29Boeing produced 1119 B-29s in Renton
Boeing Airplane Co., Boeing Aircraft Co. Division TacomaWashingtonSub-assemblies
Boeing Airplane Co., Boeing Aircraft Co. Division Branch Plant #681AberdeenWashingtonfuselage frame, wing rib assemblies
Boeing Airplane Co., Boeing Aircraft Co. Division Branch Plant #682EverettWashingtonB-29 parts
Boeing Airplane Co., Boeing Aircraft Co. Division Branch Plant #683BellinghamWashingtonB-29 parts
Boeing Airplane Co., Boeing Aircraft Co. Division Branch Plant #685ChehalisWashingtonB-29 parts
Boeing Airplane Co., Boeing Aircraft Co. Division Branch Plant #687EverettWashingtonB-29 parts
Boeing Airplane Co., Boeing Aircraft Co. Division Branch Plant #689HoquiamWashingtonfuselage frame, wing rib assemblies
Boeing Airplane Co., Boeing Aircraft Co. Division Plant #2SeattleWashingtonCompleted B-29
Bowser & Co. , Ino of Wayne Pump Co.Fort WayneIndianaDrive assemblies
Bowser, Inc.Fort WayneIndianaB-29 parts
Bowser, Inc.Chelsea MichiganGears for B-29
Bridgeport Safety Emery Wheel Co.BridgeportConnecticut Clutch facings
Bridgetport Thermostat Co.BridgeportConnecticut Assembly Oil Strainer R-3350 engine
Briggs Manufacturing Co.DetroitMichiganFlaps
Aft bomb doors
Forward bomb doors
Nose wheel doors
Dorsal fins and stabilizers
Empennage and outboard wing
Cahpman Machine Co.TerryvilleConnecticutAuto screw products
Car-Max Mfg. Co.MinneapolisMinnesotaR-3350 engine parts
Castle Metal Products Co.StamfordConnecticutSuper Charge parts
Century Engineering Co.Cedar RapidsIndianaBomb fuses and B-29 parts
Cessna Aircraft Co.WichitaKansasSub-assemblies
Cessna Aircraft Co., Engineering Co. DivisionWichitaKansasSub-assemblies
Char-Lynn Co.MinneapolisMinnesotaBomb sight parts
Chowning Regulator Corp.CorningNew YorkB-29 Aux. Motor
Chrysler Corp., Airtemp DivisionDaytonOhioAC Parts
Chrysler Corp., DeSoto Plant
DetroitMichiganNose and center fuselage
Engine cowlings
Nose pressure cabins
Chrysler Corp., Dodge - Chicago PlantChicagoIllinoisR-3350 engines
Chrysler Corp., Highland Park PlantHighland ParkMichiganNose and center fuselage
Chrysler Corp., Plymouth PlantDetroitMichiganNose and center fuselage
City Engineering Co.IndianapolisIndianaB-29 parts
Clyde Porcelain Steel Corp.ClydeOhioTurret parts
Columbia Mech. & Eng. Corp.HamiltonCaliforniaParts for B-29 Clutches
Columbus Specialty Co.ColumbusIndianaDe-icing
Comstook & Co. NorwalkConnecticut Canvas covers
Connecticut Manucfacturing Co.WaterburyConnecticutScrew Mach. prod
Connecticut Telephone & Electric Co.MeridenConnecticut Connector nuts
Constock & Co.NorwalkConnecticutCovers, pads, cords & sleeves
Continental Airlines , Inc., Denver Modification CenterDenverColoradoAirplane modificationU.S. Government Modification Center No. 13
Cope Brothers, Inc.FarmingtonConnecticut Component parts
Corbin Screw Corp.New BritainConnecticut Padlocks, etc
Cornelius Co.MinneapolisMinnesotaMotor Compressors
Crosley Corporation Plant 2CincinnatiOhioAPB-4 Radar, SCH-694 Components
Curtis Wright CorpStamfordConnecticutPropellers B-29 LVT Drive
Curtiss - Wright Corp.StamfordConnecticut Pitch regulator for propeller
Curtiss - Wright Corp., Wright Aeronautical Corp. DivisionPatersonNew JerseyR-3350 engines
Curtiss - Wright Corp., Wright Aeronautical Corp. DivisionWood-RidgeNew JerseyR-3350 engines
D. & N. Machine Co.East HartfordConnecticutMachine parts
Decker Mfg. Co.RockfordIllinoisScrew machine parts
Doran Brothers Inc.DanburyConnecticut Gyro assembly
E.W Carpenter Mfg. Co.BridgeportConnecticut B-29 parts
Eastern Engineering Co.New HavenConnecticutPumps
Electrolux Corp.StamfordConnecticut Commutator dynamotor for airborne radar & inverters
Eoudreau Machine & Tool Co.Bridgeport Connecticut B-29 parts
Exacta Mfg. Co.New HavenConnecticutCouplings
Excel Tool & Engineering Co.EvansvilleIndianaB-29 parts
Fibre FormsColumbia CityIndianaB-29 Silver Pleated Dashings
Fieldstone Tool & Mach.BronxNew YorkComponent of R-3550
Firestone Tire & Rubber Co.FerndaleWashingtonSelf sealing fuel cells
Fisher AircraftClevelandOhioB-29 components
Fisher Body Co. #1ClevelandOhioNacelles & tank parts
Forest IndustiresTacomaMichiganFormed plastic parts
Frank Wheeler & SonMeridenConnecticutValve seat
Frey Mfg. Co.HartfordConnecticut Steel ring
General Aircraft Equipment Corp.StamfordConnecticut B-29 parts
General Armature Corp.Lock HavenPennsylvaniaCommutators
General Electric Co.SchenectadyNew YorkFire control sets
General Electric Co.BloomfieldNew JerseyTurret interrupters, Turret Synchronisers
General Electric Co. EverettMassachusettsTurbo-super-charger
General Motors Corp., AC Spark Plug DivisionFlintMichiganAutomatic pilots , m-5 ( sperry)Contract for 1,000 automatic pilots
General Motors Corp., Fisher Body Division ClevelandOhioOutboard wings, horizontal stabilizers, fins and nacellesU.S. Government Assembly Plant No. 7. It produced 13,772 B-29 engine nacelles plus 566 nose sections
General Motors Corp., Fisher Body Division DetroitMichiganSub-assemblies
General Motors Corp., Fisher Body Division Lansing
MichiganEngine nacelles
General Motors Corp., Frigidaire DivisionDaytonOhioHamilton propellers$40 million deal to supply 6,600 Hamilton propellers
General Railway Signal Co.RochesterNew YorkFire control equipment ( remote control turrets )By end of war, it manufactured 2,100 remotely-controlled gun turrets.
General Refineries Inc.MinneapolisMinnesotaB-29 Parts
Gerber BrothersSeattleWashingtonMolded oxygen panel, astrocompass bracket, wing liner guide
Glenn Martin L. Co.Middle River
MarylandNacelles
Airplane power turrets
Glenn Martin L. Co.OmahaNebraskaCompleted B-29U.S. Government Assembly Plant No. 1
Martin produced 531 B-29s in Omaha
Glenn Martin L. Co.OmahaNebraskaAirplane modificationU.S. Government Modification Center No. 8
Globe Tool & Die Co.SouthbridgeMassachusettsAuto. gan charge
Goodrich , B. F. , Co. Grand Rapids
MichiganDe-icers
Fuel cells
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., Goodyear Aircraft Corp. DivisionNewarkOhioMotor mounts
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., Goodyear Aircraft Corp. DivisionAkronOhioFuselage sections and empennage assemblies
Leading edges for the wing elevators
Stabilizers, vertical fins and center sections
Plant C
Grinold Auto Parts, Inc.HartfordConnecticut Bombsight sectors
H & M Corp.CambridgeMassachusettsGyroscope parts
H. C. Baum Co.PlainvilleConnecticutSpring fuse
H. Wibling tool & Mfg. Co.DanburyConnecticut Charger parts
Halliburton Oil Well Cementing Co.DuncanOklahomaB-29 Components
Hardware Specialties Mfg. Co.BridgeportConnecticut Machine parts
Hartford Mach. Tool, Inc.HartfordConnecticutTrunnion bolts
Harvey Wells Electronics Co.SouthbridgeMassachusettsLoop antenna, B-29 programs
Henry & Wright Mfg. Co.HartfordConnecticutScrew door assemblies, Nut, drum & screw assem.
Hereshey Metal ProductsDerbyConnecticut B-29 parts
Holtzer Cabot Elec. Co.Jam PlainMassachusettsInverters
Hoosier Cardinal Corp.EvansvilleIndianaBomb racks & Turrets
Horthern L-Ray Co.MinneapolisMinnesotaB-29 parts
Hudson Motor Car Co.DetroitMichiganSub-assemblies
Production of three huge fuselage sections (two of them pressurized)
Outer wings and wing tips
It produced 802 B-29 rear fuselages, bulkheads, outer wing panels and wingtips
Ideal Tool & Machine Co. Great BendPennsylvaniaJigs, Tools, Dies & Fixtures for B-29 parts
Indian Motocycle Co. Main PlantSpringfieldMassachusettsAircraft components
Indianapolis Tool & DieIndianapolisIndianaComps & Radar part
International Business Machines(IBM) Corp.EndicottNew YorkSperry bomb sights s-1
Computers
Turrets
Fire control sights for remote control gun turrets
Interstate Mfg. Corp.New HavenConnecticutAircraft Instrument for B-29
Iron Fireman Mfg. Co.PortlandOregonFuse, bomb parts
Ittenbach G. CompanyIndianapolisIndianaPacking boxes for B-29 propellers
Ivanoff Machine ShopSeattleWashingtonTools, dies, fixtures, handling equip.
J. C. BartonEast HamptonConnecticutIncendiary bomb cavity steel molds
J.A. Otterbein Co. MiddletownConnecticut Components for B29s incendiary bombs
Johns-Hartford Tool Co.HartfordConnecticutprop. Eng. studs
Johnson Mfg. Co.BridgeportConnecticut B-29 parts
Jones & Lamson Machine Co.
SpringfieldVermontGear assemblies
Kar Engineering Co.Great BarringtonMassachusettsGun Turret Mechanism
Ken Products Co.EvansvilleIndianaB-29 parts
Kenworth Motor TruckSeattleWashingtonSub-assembly work, wheel well assembly, navigators floor
Korry Manufacturing Co.SeattleWashingtonCabin & instrument lamps
Landers, Frary and ClarkNew BritainConnecticut Motor coils
Lawson Machine & Tool Co.MaldenMassachusettsR-3350 engine parts
Lee CompanyHartfordConnecticutScrew mach. prod & eng. studs
Libbey-Owens-Ford Glass Co.OttawaIllinoisCanopies and cabin
noses
Linotype Parts Co.WeatherlyPennsylvaniaB-29 Propeller Spring Pack Retainers
Luminous Engineering Co.BostonMassachusettsInstrument dials
Lyle Sign Co.MinneapolisMinnesotaSub-assemblies
Lynch BrothersPine MeadowConnecticut Filter B-29 motors
Macallen Co.South BostonMassachusettsMica Parts
Mamco Manufacturing Co.SeattleWashingtonMolded & cut phenolic parts, electrical panels, fair leads, etc
Manning Bowman Co.MeridenConnecticutVibrator parts & air speed tubes
Manson Mfg. Co.BostonMassachusettsR-3350 engine studs
Max Ams Machine Co.BridgeportConnecticut B-29 parts
McClintock, O.B. Co.MinneapolisMinnesotaCowl Flap Actuator
McDonnell Aircraft Corp.MemphisTennesseeSub-Assembly
McDonnell Aircraft Corp.St. LouisMissouriFuselage sections
Medoo Mfg. Co.New York CityNew YorkTuning units for Radio receivers
Mers Engineering Co.IndianapolisIndianaB-29 parts
Metallurgical Serv. Co.IndianapolisIndianaSalvage operation on fuel cells
Metropilis Bending Co.MetropilisIllinoisWood parts
Minnetonka Machine WorksMinneapolisMinnesotaPress Parts
Moore Drop Forging Co.SpringfieldMassachusettsHdwe. & Mountings
Moudings Inc.IndianapolisIndianaB-29 parts
Murray Corp. of America EcorseMichiganOuter wings
Murray Corp. of America ScrantonPennsylvaniaWing, Wing Tip & Aileron Assembly500,000-square-foot plant
National Bronce & Aluminum Co.SpringfieldMassachusettsCastings
New england Caroide Tool Co.CambridgeMassachusettsCarbide & Diamond tipped cutting tools
Northwest Chair Co.TacomaWashingtonWood assemblies
Northwest Metal Products Co.KentWashingtonAN hose clamps
Norton Heon Co.DenverColoradoParts for B-29
Nutmeg Tool Co.GlastonburyConnecticutPrec. tools
O.B. McClintock Co.MinneapolisMinnesotaCowl flap actuator
Olson BrothersPlainvilleConnecticutB-29 parts
Pacific Car & FoundryRentonWashingtonInboard wing spars
Parkadale Army Air FieldShreveportLouisianaMaintenance & repair of B-29
Peaslee Metal ProductsEast HartfordConnecticutCenterless grinding studs
Perkin Elner Corp. StamfordConnecticut Lenses
Pitney Bowes Postage Meter Co.StamfordConnecticutB-29 Parts
Plastics Manufacturers, Inc.StamfordConnecticutGun grips
Plymouth Electric Co.New HavenConnecticutGyro compass parts
Pottstown Mfg. CompanyPottstownPennsylvaniaB-29 parts
Precision Grinding, Inc.Westbury, L. I.New YorkParts for B-29
Precision Product Co.WalthamMassachusettsHair Springs
Puget Sound Sheet Metal Plant #2SeattleWashingtonAircraft fabrication for B-29s
Puget Sound Sheet Metal Plt. #2SeattleWashingtonAft. body section, inboard ing leading edge sections, spare parts & sub-assemblies
R. Bemont & Son.MeridenConnecticutAnemostat cap, mics, pts
Ravenna Metal Products Co.SeattleWashingtonDrill bushings, special bolts, machined parts
Republic Aviation Corp.EvansvilleIndianaCowling
Reynolds Metals Co.SpringfieldMassachusettsCastings
Rogers, Lunt & Bowlen Co.GreenfieldMassachusettsGas Injection
Ruggles Lumber Co.KingstonPennsylvaniaBomber Wing crates
Savage Metal Products Co.SeattleWashingtonSmall machine work, pins, bushings, etc
Scott-Atwater Mfg. Co.MinneapolisMinnesotaSub-assemblies
Seeger Refrigerator Co.St. PaulMinnesotaBomb racks
Seidelbuber Iron & BronzeSeattleWashingtonSpecial service tools, ground handling equipo for B-29
Sessions Clock Co.ForestvilleConnecticut Exhaust manifold & press parts
Seth thomas Clock Co.ThomastonConnecticut B-29 devicer
Singer Mfg. Co.ElizabethNew JerseySighting Stations
Smith , A. O. , CorpMilwaukeeWisconsinLanding gears
Solar Aircraft Co.Des MoinesIowaManifolds
Spring Services Co.ScrantonPennsylvaniaHeat treating tank end connectors
Wing Reinforcing brackets
Springfield Bronse & Aluminum Co.SpringfieldMassachusettsCastings
Stearman Aviation, Inc.EnidOklahomaB-29 component land
Steel Products Co.DanburyConnecticut B-29 parts
Stolle CorporationSidneyOhioMachining Assembly Devices
Storm Drop Forging Co.SpringfieldMassachusettsGas Injection Parts
Sulak Manufacturing Co.SeattleWashingtonAircraft parts
Textile Machine Works ReadingPennsylvaniaTurret drives
The Chas. B. Scott Co.ScrantonPennsylvaniaMachining Wing parts
The George S. Scott Mfg. Co.WellingfordConnecticut Rockerbox cover gasket
The Todd CompanyRochesterNew YorkB-29 Parts
Thomaston Special Tool CoThomastonConnecticut Cam shafts, dust shields, shim washers
Thompson Bros. Pattern WorksIndianapolisIndianaPatterns
Thompson Candy Co.MeridenConnecticutHeavy artillery device
Thorne-Brown Co.WestportConnecticutLamps
Tomlee Tool & Engineering Co.MinneapolisMinnesotaCarburator and fuel injection parts
Torrington Co.TorringtonConnecticut Needle bearings
Torrington Mfg. Co.TorringtonConnecticut Air impellers
Turner & SeymourTorringtonConnecticut Parts & Tools
U.S. Textile Machine Co.ScrantonPennsylvaniaMachining B-29 Bomber parts
U.S. Time Corp.WaterburyConnecticutMark 1 fuse
United Aircraft Corp., Hamilton Standard Propeller DivisionEast HartfordConnecticut Propellers
Universal Machine Co.New BritainConnecticut Pin stainless steel & plugs
Universal Pattern & ModelHartfordConnecticutPatterns
Van Veen Engineering Co.HartfordConnecticutMachines for making nuts % screws
Veeder Root Inc.HartfordConnecticut Round counters, Bendix remote control drive, etc
Vida Mfg. Co.CliftonNew JerseyConverter cores
Volco Copper & Brass Co.KenilworthNew JerseyWire
Voss Bros. Manufacturing Co.DavenportIowaALt. & Detector Assys. B-29
W.H. Nichols & SonsWalthamMassachusettsPumps
Warren Telechron Co.AshlandMassachusettsGear reduction units fof turrets control computer, Relay for aircraft control
Warren Telechron Co.LowellMassachusettsRelays
Washington Iron WorksSeattleWashingtonWing flap tracks, large boring, mill machining
Welded Products Co.Oklahoma CityOklahomaEquipment for production of B-29's
Wesel Mfg. Co.ScrantonPennsylvaniaMachining B-29 Bomber Parts
Jigs, tool & Fixture or B-29 BOmber parts for Murray Corp.
Wessor Mfg. Co.BridgeportConnecticut B-29 parts
Western Die CastingEmeryvilleCaliforniaDie Castings
Western Gear WorksSeattleWashingtonGears and machine work
Western Gear WorksVernonCaliforniaTail skid Actuators
Western Supplies Co.St. LouisMissouriB-29 parts
Westfield Mfg. Co.WestfieldMassachusettsNeedle Bearings
White Engineering Works Inc.StamfordConnecticut B-29 parts
Wiley & LettMarionIndianaB-29 parts
William D. Gibson Co.ChicagoIllinoisPrecision & motor type springs
Wittie Manufacturing & Sales Co. ChicagoIllinoisVentilator fans
Yale & Towne Mfg. Co.StamfordConnecticutRadio parts

Further reading

Bibliography

  • War Industrial facilities Authorized July 1940 – August 1945, Civilian Production Administration Industrial Statistics Division July 30, 1946
  • Report of War Plants and Services in Urgency Rating Bands III Thru VII. 1945, Office of the Deputy Vice Chairman for Field Production Operations
  • Boeing B-29 Superfortress Manual 1942-60 (all marks)(Owners’ Workshop Manual) by Chris Howlett

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Javier Guerrero
Javier Guerrero
Javier is the editor @ Nuclear Companion and loves to investigate and write about the cold war.

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Nuclear Companion: A nuclear guide to the cold war