Here, in April 1944, are the 16 B-17 Flying Fortress bombers produced in this building - that day, and every day!  Click here for a Personal Note about those B-17s.




 In October 1944, the first Boeing XC-97 rolled out of these doors - later to become the C-97 transport, KC-97 Tanker, and B-377 commercial Stratocruiser. (See the camouflage on the roof?)



During WW II, the plant was completely camouflaged to look like a residential area as protection against possible Japanese air attack.



  In the late 1940s and early 1950s, myriad B-50 bombers and C-97 Transports are being produced in this factory.



  On 12 Sept 1947, a radical new airplane - the Boeing B-47 six-jet bomber Prototype is rolled out.  This airplane is the direct lineal matriarch for all the jet airplanes Boeing has produced since.



  In 1952, in the darkness and wet of a Seattle night, the Prototype Boeing B-52  8-engine  Bomber is rolled out and across East Marginal Way.  She's shrouded in secrecy and covered by canvas and tarps.  This amazing airplane is still in front-line combat service to this day.



  Here B-52s are being produced where the earlier airplanes once were assembled.



And, in 1966, the first Prototype Boeing twin-jet 737 was manufactured in this building and rolled out of these doors on to this ramp.  This airplane (which I worked on - then, and which I still work on - now,)  is in the Museum's collection.  She's the first of more than 8000 737s built or ordered since then.

And so, today - History meets History.

 The Super Connie's location is truly aviation Hallowed Ground.