This photo location and direction is the same as shown below, only in 2001. This is a still shot from a Leonard Thygesen film.
This photo facing east shows the Oak Park entrance for the Buick factories in 1934. The closeup above has the message on the bridge as: WORK SAFELY TODAY-TOMORROW-ALWAYS Links:
Monthly Archives: March 2012
Factory #12 1934.
This is March 19, 1934 at 4:30 PM. This is factory #12 sheet metal stamping for Buick.
Looking at factory #12 (facing north) along Industrial Avenue.
South-end of factory #12 looking at the west wall. Link:
Factory #12 Sheet Metal Plant
Demolition At Buick.
This will be the last building left for demolition at the Buick site, (circled). It was part of the old factory #03 spring forge. This was saved from the wrecking ball and converted in 2003 into the Cultural & Diversity Center. This addition to factory #03 was built in 1966. “This will be the grand finale”.
This Leonard Thygesen still shot from his documentary film shows the location of building #55-A. X marks the spot. You are so right Leonard: sad.
Leonard Thygesen says:They say a picture is worth a thousand words. I have just one….sad.
Not much left now.
The end of building #55-A. Only one place left. A Leonard Thygesen update.
9:00 a.m. 55 water process.
Links:
Buick Demolition DVD.
Buick Demolition March 5, 2012
Building #55 Waste Treatment Plant.
The Cultural & Diversity Center
Factory #12 War Work.
This “well known” advertisement shows that almost anything was possible for Buick. The conversion of many factories, including factory #12, where these shell casings were manufactured, were up and running in record time. The last Flint built Buick off the end of the line was on February 3, 1942. Harlow Curtice (manager of Buick) was given advance notice from the government about many important projects to aid the war effort. This steel shell casing was considered one of the most important projects. The work of changing over the factories for the duration of the war, therefore, started as soon as the last car part was out of the building. After many failures the first successful test firing of these shells was done on May 1, 1943.
This postcard shows the location of the factory shown below. This view is facing north. You can super enlarge just about any photo on this blog for viewing small details. The way this is done is a little different depending on which browser is used.
This is factory #12 showing little change since this 1920’s photo. This view from Industrial Avenue is facing north-east. In my time this was the “Oak Park” entrance.
This photo from the Sloan Museum shows different examples of the 75mm shell, including the steel version. My father brought one of these empty casings home after the war. His duty on an LST (landing ship tank #1155) was that of a cook. His gun station was up on deck at a 75mm gun. He was wounded at Okinawa in “Operation Iceberg” by shrapnel caused from a Kamikaze attack.
This is a photo I took in 2011 at the Sloan Museum in Flint, Michigan. It shows all the different pressings from the billet to the finished shell casing. The billet was described in a book from that period as: “The size of a Parker House roll”. The book that best describes the work done at Buick during the war is “The City Of Flint Grows Up” by: Carl Crow.
This is one of the advertisements showing Buick and General Motors “pride” in achieving this task of making a steel shell when copper supplies were needed elsewhere during world war II. Copper is a main ingredient for making brass, the usual shell casing material.
This photo of 20mm shells (cut in half) shows the wall thicknesses during the die stamping process. Buick also made these 20mm shells in factory #11.
These are the different steps taken to make a shell casing of the right height and thickness.
Creating the first “shallow cup” in a steel billet. “Notice the kiln next to the press”.
You will see many different heat treatments during the creation of the shell casing.
The billets used for making the steel 75mm shell casing seen “many alloy compositions”, before Buick finally found the correct formula. The basic formula was: PLAIN – CARBON STEEL – with a minimum amount of – MANGANESE.
These billets are just getting a little heat here. The temperature range during the whole process is 2,000 to 360 degrees.
Heating the billet to 2,000 degrees.
This billet is probably at it’s 2,000 degree temperature.
“Slowly but surely” the billet will expand.These early pressings are called “cupping”.
These old presses used for making fenders, hoods and other automobile parts, are now, hard at work forming the steel billets of the 75mm shell casing.
A nice “pulled back” view of the old fender presses in action shaping the steel billets.
The billet is steadily getting a longer and thinner shape.
The billet is looking more like a shell casing.
Between every pressing is another heat treat.
Same as below.
One of many pressings to achieve the final dimension.
Rolling on the “Rim”.
Inspection after the rollers have placed the “rim” on these casings.
Nearing the final shape.
This method was sometimes used for moving to and from the numerous operations.
This may be the phenolic varnish area but I’m not sure.
One of many heat treating areas. The range of heat, from start to finish was 2,000 degrees to 360.
Drilling for fuse placement.
Not sure what is taking place here.
This looks to be the area that bakes the phenolic varnish on. The heat was 360 degrees.
Always inspecting.
Looks like precision drilling for the fuse placement. The complete shells were not assembled at Buick.
Plenty of inspection takes place during the numerous pressings, before you get to this point. This is before the finished taper has been rolled in.
Final inspection of the 75mm shell casing in factory #12.
Final inspection.
Final inspection.
Final inspection.
Final inspection.
Final inspection. I do not know why these particular shell casings are darker colored. Links:
Factory #12 Sheet Metal Plant
Factory #12/#16
Buick Driveaway 1923
Buick War Work
1968 Strike
Factory #12 Body Shop
Leith st. 2008
Oak Park Lot 2008
Factory #12 2002 -2008
Factory #12 Demolition Plus Inside
Factory #12 fender Drawman
Factory #12 Drawman Hood Press
Buick City Lee Furse 1985
Robogate
Factory #12 drawman 1966
Factory #12 1997
Factory #12 1925 Thru 2002
Factory #12 The Early Years
Buick Demolition Building #55-A.
Leonard Thygesen says: This is what it looked like today when I left this afternoon. It will be down by tomorrow afternoon. The ‘wind’ was wicked today. Dated Mach 6, 2012. Links:
Buick Demolition March 5, 2012
Building #55 Waste Treatment Plant.
M-4 Sherman Tank Drive.
The synchcromesh transmission housing being machined. You can see many cases in the background. I only have this one photo showing the manual transmission for the M-4. I’m thinking this work was being done in another factory other than #02 at Buick, probably #31 or #66.
A footing for a machine at factory #02.
This shows the conversion from automobile shipping to tank drive assembly. These are the footings going in for machines in the east annex of factory #02. Parts of some machines are already in place.
This still shot (from a Leonard Thygesen documentary film) shows the layout of factory #02, as described in the following photos taken during World War II at Buick.
A diagram of the cast differential housing of the M-4 medium tank. Nicknamed the “Sherman”. From the cast in markings these came from different foundry’s near Chicago. You can look them up in the “Sherman Minutia” link.
A finished housing.
Milling machine. Looks like all mill and drill work took place in the east annex of factory #02.
Loading a multiple drilling machine.
Loading a multiple drilling machine.
Loading a multiple drilling machine.
There are many of these photos, so I will post a few.
A large automated milling machine in the east annex of factory #02.
A large automated milling machine in the east annex of factory #02.
Mill work being performed on the armored cast differential housing.
Mill work in the east annex of factory #02.
Hand grinding.
Looking north in the east annex of factory #02. A lot of automobiles were loaded onto boxcars from this area before World War II.
Some finish work.
This would be the west side of factory #02 in the assembly area. You are facing east.
Mill work in the east annex of factory #02.
Multiple drilling operation.
Multiple drilling operation.
Mill work.
A single drilling operation.
The armored cast differential housing having the alignment pins installed.
This is the east annex of factory #02.
A multiple drilling machine.
The armored cast differential housing being machined. This appears to be where one of the two alignment pins will be installed. Two on each side for the final Drive installation.
The armored cast housing being machined.
Differential carriers ready for machining. These came from the same foundries near Chicago as the differential housing. “Sherman Minutia” Looking west in the factory #02 train shed.
Differential carrier machining.
Differential carrier machining.
Differential carrier machining.
Differential carrier machining.
Differential machining. One of many multiple drilling machines.
Differential carrier machining. I believe this is the same operation shown farther below, only from a different perspective.
Differential carrier machining.
Differential carrier machining.This actually shows a large lathe table cutting a perfect mating surface for the transmission.
Differential carrier machining. A multiple drilling machine saved many hours of work.
Differential carrier machining. This multiple drilling machine photo has been shown in many Buick publications.
Differential carrier machining.
Differential carrier partial assembly.
Heat treating on a differential gear. I see bevel and straight gears shown hear. This would most likely be in factory #38 heat treat. Link:
Michigan Motor Casting Company
Diagram of the final drive housing.
Final drive housing machining.
Final drive housing machining.
Final drive assembly.
Here a right hand final drive is being installed.
Final drive housing machining.
Final drive housing machining.
Final drive housing machining.
This final drive gear is shown in the diagram below, and also in a finished final drive farther below. The hearing bone pattern of the gear teeth was the main reason American tank drives were more rugged than those of most other nations during world War II.
This diagram shows the parts of the final drive for the tank track.
A sleeve being press fitted on an axle.
Final drive hearing bone gear being machined. I’m not sure yet of the factory doing this work.
Brake drum machining.
Machine work on the brake shoe.
This is the brake lining being installed.
Facing south in the train shed. Looks like maybe tool repair going on but I’m not sure.
Here were in the west side area of factory #02, weighing loads of small parts. I know that every factory was busy making small parts and large parts. I wish I had more information on all the operations at Buick. The hunt for more knowledge is always going on.
Here a part is heated before placement, then cooling shrinks the part for a tight fit on the differential housing. We are obviously facing north in the train shed #02. The reinforced concrete annex was on the west side of the train shed and a smaller annex (old car shipping area) on the east side. Boxcars were lined up here in the past. I took a photo here in 1997 in (almost) the same spot with the identical direction.
Heat shrinking (heated then cooled) for placement on a differential part. This is facing west, at the north-end of the (larger) main train shed of factory #02.
Inserted differential ready for testing.
Testing a finished differential.
Assembly on the M-4 differential.
Assembly on the M-4 differential.
A finished differential.
Inserting a differential.
Only the differential in place.
This is the differential splash-pan partially visible below.
Here is the finished differential with the right and left brake drive units all in place.
The transmission on the left with the differential housing on the right. This is the operation being performed below.
Here the transmission is being mated with the differential carrier, before that complete unit mates with the armored outer housing.
This is a cutaway of the M-4 power train. This gives a great view of the differential assembly and you can also see the brake bands used for steering the tank.
Here is final drive assembly.
Here we see the left hand final drive already installed, with the left one in process.
Final assembly of the M-4 power train.
Here we see the manual transmission (synchcromesh). of a finished unit.
This view (facing south-east in the old train shed #02) shows a finished assembly ready for shipping to the assembly plants.
This view (facing south in the old train shed #02) shows a finished assembly ready for shipping to the assembly plants.
This view (facing south in the old train shed #02) shows a finished assembly ready for shipping to the assembly plants.
This view (facing south in the old train shed #02) shows a finished assembly ready for shipping to the assembly plants.
Here is the finished transmission and differential drive unit being installed at the factory in Grand Blanc, Michigan just south of Flint. SHERMAN MINUTIA Links:
Genesee County Tanks
M-6 Heavy Tank
Another view inside factory #02/08
Inside train shed 1942 + early 20’s
Northend factory #02/#08
Factory #02 Train Shed Vehicle Entrance
Factory #02 train shed 1923
Train Shed At Buick Rail Entrance
Buick 1927.
This Buick advertisement from 1927 just seemed appropriate to post at this time. Oil had just been discovered in Irak. I like that this place was so unknown “at that time” that they even spelled Iraq wrong. About the only westerner that had any knowledge of this place back then was Lawrence of Arabia.
Nice looking mail truck. Links:
Charles Lindbergh over Flint 1927
Factory #62 1927
Buick During The 1920’s (A short film).
Buick Demolition DVD.
I have personally seen these documentary films created by Leonard Thygesen and I tell you true: “THEY ARE INCREDIBLE”! Leonard is unique in the fact that he is his own production company. He does everything himself. It is hard to believe that he is the cameraman – the producer and film editor. About the only thing he does not do is direct the action. I myself like his choice of background music. Everything from classical to rock and a little blues.
Buick Demolition March 5, 2012
An overview of the site (looking east) from Industrial Avenue. Just a small section of building #55-A is left, with the piles of rubble that used to be where many of us made our living over the years.
Looking east at #55-A from Stewart Avenue..
Leonard Thygesen’s latest update on the demolition at Buick. Leonard added: 24 degree. Windy This west view (from the Stewart Avenue bridge) is showing the water treatment plant #55-A being demolished. Leonard said: “Last building other than north annex to the drop forge. Monday (now) 11:56″ am…. Gerry says: Follow the link below to see the annex. Links:
Building #55 Waste Treatment Plant.
The Cultural & Diversity Center
M-6 Heavy Tank
These two Buick factories are where M-4 “Sherman” medium tank transmission work and the M-10 (variant) based on the “Sherman” chassis were built. The M-6 heavy tank transmission development work, which eventually led to the M-26 “Pershing” heavy tank was also done here. The total of tank powertrain’s being built here is reported at 19,428. This would not include the transmissions for the M-18 “Hellcat” designed and built exclusively by Buick. The M-18 powertrain was assembled at the old Buick garage #08 (south of Hamilton ave.) known at that time as #78. The two factories (#02 & #94) are connected by bridge #23, “which I traveled very often”. The year before I left Buick (for work in Bay City, Michigan) I was the only person that worked in ‘all’ of factory #02 on the night shift. “Sometimes it was kind of spooky”. The fork lift maintenance department did occupy a small section of the second floor, south-west corner, near the training department, so I never seen them.
This early World War II “heavy tank” design never saw combat. This was originally created to be the equal to the heavy tanks of Germany and Soviet Russia. This tank weighed in at 50 ton. Buick built the two torque convertor versions of the track drive. The other transmission was an electric version. As far as I know, only three prototype versions were built. Supposedly there is only one example left. From the following Wikipedia source, it looks like 20 tanks were actually built using these Buick transmissions, with the whole program being suspended in 1944.
Here is a rear view of the M-6 aluminum variant.
In this view, off to the right (in the background) you can see an M-4 Sherman medium tank drive.
This is another view of the aluminum variant torque convertor transmission show farther below. If you will notice, the track drive gears have a different configuration also. This is in factory #02, only this is the west section that was made of reinforced concrete,”like so many other early Buick factories”.
This is the M-6 Heavy tank.
This is an only partially assembled M-6 transmission. I’m thinking this would be in factory #02, but I can’t be sure.
This rear view of the M-6 transmission would be in factory #94. Judging by the size of the steel supports shown behind this particular transmission, I would say this is the first floor. The second floor had much smaller supporting beams.
This view with the front cover removed would have been in factory #94.
This diagram of the Buick built transmission describes some of the parts.
This view is obviously inside the old train shed of factory #02, which had been immediately converted for war work before even the last automobile had been shipped from here. This M-6 transmission is one of two variants built by Buick during the war. This view is from the rear where the engine would connect. This area of factory #02 had many uses over it’s life. This particular area shown here was plastic injection molding for many years during my time at Buick. When I left in 1997 this area was A.G.V. repair. They had a test track here (buried cable in the floor) for operating the A.G.V. . I seem to recall that this building was used as “pilot buildup” for new model cars back in the early 70’s. Links:
BUICK FACTORY HISTORY 
