|
B.F.
Goodrich in World War Two
Akron, OH
1870-Present (Now Goodrich
based in Charlotte, NC)
This page updated 6-20-2019.
Goodrich started business in
1870 when founded by Dr. Benjamin Franklin Goodrich in Akron, OH.
In the beginning its main product line was rubber hoses for fire
departments. In 1903 Henry Ford chose B.F. Goodrich to supply
tires for its Model T Ford. In 1965 B.F. Goodrich invented the
radial tire, but 23 years later ended up selling its tire making
business to Michelin. Today Goodrich is an aerospace company.
A period postcard rendering of the former B.F.
Goodrich complex in downtown Akron, OH.
B.F. Goodrich's Akron, OH Plant won the
Army-Navy "E" Award two times during WWII.
B.F. Goodrich's Los Angels, CA Plant won the Army-Navy "E" Award two
times during WWII.
B.F. Goodrich's Niagara Falls, NY Plant won the Army-Navy "E" Award five
times during WWII.
B.F. Goodrich's Oaks, PA Plant won the Army-Navy "E" Award three times
during WWII.
B.F. Goodrich's Clarksville, TN Plant won the Army-Navy "E" Award five
times during WWII.
B.F. Goodrich World War Two Products:
The company was the first to develop synthetic rubber and operated
one synthetic rubber plant in Akron, OH during the war. It also
manufactured military truck tires, aircraft tires, gas masks, aircraft de-icing boots,
self-sealing fuel tanks, armored vehicle tracks, rubber cargo rafts for the navy,
and landing craft bearings. It had over 50 aviation products that
included use in the B-17, B-25, B-26, B-29 TBMs all had Goodich equipment.
B.F. Goodrich was 67th in dollar value of WWII production contracts.
B.F. Goodrich and the B-29 Enola Gay
B.F. Goodrich supplied the auxiliary long
range bomb bay 640 gallon fuel tanks for the B-29s that were built by
Martin Aircraft in Omaha, NE. Author's photo.
The B-29 Enola Gay was built by Martin in
Omaha, NE. Author's photo.
Item 604 is called out as B.F. Goodrich
auxiliary fuel tanks.
640 gallon bomb bay auxiliary fuel tank.
Gas Masks
The next four photos are of a WWII gas mask.
It is unused and in brand new condition. Author's photo from the
2017 South Carolina National Guard Air and Ground Expo.
Author's photo.
Author's photo.
This gas mask is from Lot A15-3.
Author's photo.
The "Mae West" type life vest on this
mannequin at the International Museum of World War Two in Natick, MA was
produced by B.F. Goodrich on July 19,1943. Author's photo added
6-20-2019.
Author's photo added 6-20-2019.
Author's photo added 6-20-2019.
Author's photo added 6-20-2019.
Vehicle Tires, Tracks, and Wheels
B.F. Goodrich produced tires for the M25 Tank
Transporter. The M26 Tractor "Dragon Wagon" is seen here at the
U.S. Military Armor Museum in Bethpage, NY. Rudy Lev photo.
This photo shows the M25 trailer with an M5A1
Stuart light tank on it. Rudy Lev photo from the U.S. Military
Armor Museum in Bethpage, NY.
Goodrich manufactured tires for the GMC DUKW.
Author's photo.
Goodrich also made combat military tires for
other vehicles such as half tracks. It also manufactured the tracks for
these vehicles. Author's photo.
This Fisher Body built M4A3E8 Sherman tank
has B.F. Goodrich road wheels on it. Author's photo.
Author's photo.
Aviation Products
The Northrop P-61 Black Widow had B.F.
Goodrich de-icing boots on it. Author's photo.
B-24s like this one were equipped with B.F.
Goodrich fuel tanks, tires and de-icing boots. Author's
photo.
|