Republic Aviation Evansville Timeline By Daiah_marie Mar 22, 1942 Republic Aviation announces airplane assembly plant adjoining the Evansville Airport May 15, 1942 The Evansville Airport is leased to Republic Aviation for a $1 a year. Jun 4, 1942 Ground is broken for Republic Aviation plant and office Jun 10, 1942 Republic Aviation office opened, completed in 62 days by AJ Hoffman Construction Co. Sep 19, 1942 First Evansville P-47 is flown, the Hoosier Spirit Oct 25, 1942 P-47-D aircraft assembly line begins operation; P-47-D model production will run for 32 months Mar 1, 1943 Modification Center begins operation Apr 27, 1943 President Roosevelt visits city, tours Republic Aviation, sees shipyard & ordinance by train Apr 15, 1944 Republic Aviation has open house for 25,000 employees and family members Apr 28, 1944 Republic Aviation wins 1st E-Award Jul 15, 1945 6,000th Evansville P-47 completed (this was the day it was announced) Apr 1, 1946 International Harvester (IH) buys Republic Aviation Plant for $5,648,000 (date approximate) May 12, 1956 Whirlpool Seeger is the largest city employer at 5,800 mostly in the former Republic Aviation plant
