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Republic Aviation Evansville Timeline

By klara.opichalova
  • Japanese attacks Pearl Harbor

    Japanese attacks Pearl Harbor

  • Republic Aviation announces airplane assembly plant adjoining the Evansville Airport

  • Ground is broken for Republic Aviation plant and office

  • Elder Brooks, an African American, is 1st local civilian death when hit by falling steel at Republic

  • The Evansville Airport is leased to Republic Aviation for 1 a year.

    The Evansville Airport is leased to Republic Aviation for 1 a year.

  • Republic Aviation office opened, completed in 62 days by AJ Hoffman Construction Co.

  • Firts Evansville P-47 is flown, the Hoosier Spirit

    Firts Evansville P-47 is flown, the Hoosier Spirit

  • P-47-D aircraft assembly line begins operation; P-47-D model prosuction will run for 32 months

  • Modification Center begins operation

  • P-47s entering combat in England Europe

    P-47s entering combat in England Europe

  • President Roosevelt visits city, tours Republic Aviation, sees shipyard & ordinance by train

  • 5 Thunderbolts have a "private" air show for Republican Aviation employees

    5 Thunderbolts have a "private" air show for Republican Aviation employees

  • Lt. Herbert Fields, a brave man, is first to fly his P-47 carrying a bomb, it worked just fine

  • Republic increase production 300% from previous July, absenteeism was a factor.

  • 1,000th Evansville P-47 is completed, named the "Tojo Special"

  • Republic Aviation Corp has highest fighter production totals of all US aircraft plants: Evansville has the highest efficiency

  • P-47s now flying with 21, 000-pound bombs attached

  • Republic Aviation has a backlog of 275 P-47s stored on airport grass field areas

  • Backlog of P-47s back to normal at vast ferry movement has taken place, 60 pilots on this day

  • P-47 loses power over field and glides between tree and house, avoiding serious injury to anyone

  • Republic Aviation has open house for 25, 000 emplyees and family members

  • Republic Aviation wins 1st E-Award

    During World War II, more than 4,000 "E Pennants" were presented to war plants in recognition of production excellence. The famous flag with the big "E" emblazoned on it became a badge of patriotism in action.
    President Kennedy revived the World War II "E" symbol of excellence to honor and provide recognition to America's exporters. Thus, the "E" Award Program was established by Executive Order 10978 on December 5, 1961. The "E Star" was authorized in l969 to recognize "E" Award winners for con

  • P-47s chance to bubble canopy

  • Two P-47s bump wings and crash near Inglefield north of airport, no injuries

  • 2,000th Evansville P-47 completed (this was the day it was announced)

  • Modification builds two 2-seat P-47s for training use, nickname the "Doublebolt"

  • 3,000th Evansville P-47 completed (this was the day it was announced)

  • Walter Crockroft, age 17, killed at Republic Aviation by walking into spinning propeller

  • Republic Aviation Corporation completes 10,000 and 10,001 P-47s at NY and Evansville Plants

  • Republic Aviation wins 2nd E-Award

  • Modification builds water-cooled XP-47 with water cooled Chrysler Engine

  • Re-tooling underway to build engine cowlings for B-29 Superfortresses

  • 4,000th Evansville P-47 completed, employment is at 8,300 people

  • Republic announces cost reduction of one P-47 from $68,750 to $45,600 from 1942 to 1945

  • Famed south Pacific P-47 fighter "The Jackie" returns home to Evansville plant for 2 week display

  • 5,000th Evansville P-47 completed, the "Grandiana", man-hours cut from 23,000 to 6,300 per P-47

  • Tornado hits city. Damages several P-47s, warps tails & breaks a hundred blue window panes

  • Republic Aviation wins 3rd E-Award

  • Test pilot Wm Moose was killed as he crashed his P-47 into field 3 miles SW of New Harmony

  • 1st Evansville P-47-N model is flown, change-over was smooth without any lines shutdown

  • 6, 000th Evansville P-47 completed ( this was the day it announced)

  • Republic Aviation Corporation completes its 15,000th P-47

  • Republic Aviation plant is announces closure of Evanville Plant

    Republic Aviation plant is announces closure of Evanville Plant

  • Republic Aviation plant is offered for sale or lease

  • Employment at the Evansville plant is at 250 people

  • The last P-47 is flown from Evansville plant, it was the 6,670 P-47

  • 14 P-47s given to regional schools and colleges, without guns and radios, wings were also offered

  • Intrenational Harvester buys Republic Aviation Plant for $5, 648, 000 ( date approximate0

    Intrenational Harvester buys Republic Aviation Plant for $5, 648, 000 ( date approximate0

  • The IH Plant still contains equipment used in P-47 production by RA, Servel & Hoosier Cardinal

  • International Harvester sells plant and facilities to Whirlpool-Seger.

    Acquires Seeger Refrigerator Company and RCA's air conditioner and cooking range lines including ownership of RCA's Estate brand name. Company changes its name to Whirlpool-Seeger Corporation and began using the RCA-Whirlpool brand name until the mid-1960s. Whirlpool acquires appliance division from International Harvester Company.
  • Whirlpool Seeger is the largest city emplyer at 5,800 mostly in the former Republic Aviation plant

    Whirlpool Seeger is the largest city emplyer at 5,800 mostly in the former Republic Aviation plant

    Acquires Seeger Refrigerator Company and RCA's air conditioner and cooking range lines including ownership of RCA's Estate brand name. Company changes its name to Whirlpool-Seeger Corporation and began using the RCA-Whirlpool brand name until the mid-1960s. Whirlpool acquires appliance division from International Harvester Company.