Tank - Factory - Tanks for the memories 1941 Postcard

Colourized photo from 1941 Original title: Tank manufacture Photographer: Alfred T Palmer Location: Detroit, MI During World War II, the army needed tanks, lots of them. Designed by Albert Kahn, the Detroit Arsenal (DTA), created a factory that was full of windows to allow a lot of light inside. Older factories were often dark inside. The plant sits on 113 acres, and is located in Warren Michigan, a large Detroit suburb. Some of the main walls were 3 feet thick, and the roof slats were designed to divert bombs from windows and exhaust ports. They were in operation from 1940 to 1996, where they built one quarter of the 89,568 tanks used in different wars. Currently a car company makes cars and trucks here. The tanks we see are partially completed M-3 Tanks, 28 tons a piece, but were still considered medium sized. The engine came from aeroplanes, it gave the tank raw reliable power. But interestingly because the engine came from planes, the tank needed a crank in the back to help start it up. It really was like a big toy, and you almost have to feel sorry for the guy that had to pop out of there on the battle field, to wind it up again if it stalls. There were three main assembly lines, and this is up to the final steps. Overhead cranes lifted parts into place, and then the final tank was placed on a train and shipped out.