"The United States entered World War II unprepared. The nation had been in a
period of isolationism since the conclusion of World War I. Adolph Hitler's
conquests in Europe were not even enough to shake Americans out of this
isolationist mood. Only the surprise attack by the Japanese on the American
naval base in Pearl Harbor spurred Americans to fully act".
- The formal declarations of war by the United States on Japan and Germany made
plain, once and for all, that the American economy would now need to be
transformed into what President Roosevelt had called "the Arsenal of Democracy".
The entire manufacturing industry was called upon to produce large amounts of advanced
aircraft.
- Seemingly overnight, American aircraft production was employing a staggering
two million workers, producing over 125,000 aircraft.
The United States with its
technological skill, industrial might and diversity, designed and
manufactured many different advanced aircraft. These are the aircraft that went
on to shape history and became legends. |