Did you know we built Planes?
In this story we use original material from the Transport for London collections to tell the story of how we helped build the Halifax plane
Staff from London Aircraft Production Group visiting an airfield to see completed aircraft (1941-1945)TfL Corporate Archives
The London Passenger Transport Board (LPTB) also played a part in direct war production. The London Aircraft Production Group (LAPG) was formed in the summer of 1940 by the Ministry of Aircraft Production (MAP)
It was headed by the LPTB, and comprised Chrysler Motors, Duple Bodies and Motors, Express Motor and Body Works, and Park Royal Coachworks.
Handley-Page "Halifax" bomber and double decker bus on the tarmac at airfield (1943)TfL Corporate Archives
Together they were to produce the Handley Page Halifax bomber. Each company was tasked with making a section, or components for the plane. It had been designed so that individual parts could then be quickly assembled
Women working on a component for a Handley Page "Halifax" bomber (1941-1945)TfL Corporate Archives
The LPTB Works at Chiswick, Aldenham and White City, usually occupied with the manufacture of trains and buses, were turned over to the LAPG. They were responsible for building the centre section, the front fuselage, engines, engine cowlings, stores and spares
Article describing the production of hundreds of Halifax bombers (1945-01)TfL Corporate Archives
Thousands of LPTB staff, most new to engineering, had to learn how to manufacture aircraft parts quickly and precisely. 50% of this new workforce were women
An engineer works in the bomb-aimer's position of a new Handley Page "Halifax" bomber (1941-1945)TfL Corporate Archives
An engineer works in the bomb-aimer's position
Women work on aileron and rudder assemblies for Handley Page "Halifax" bombers (1941-1945)TfL Corporate Archives
Women working on aileron and rudder assemblies
The assembly of the complete centre section, the engine units, and the installation of the front fuselage were carried out at the railway depot at Aldenham
Handley-Page "Halifax" bomber and double decker bus on the tarmac at airfield (1943)TfL Corporate Archives
Components were delivered to Leavesden airfield for assembly and flight tests, before being handing over to the RAF
The first aircraft was successfully flown on 8 December 1941
Photograph of a woman welder producing intricate small parts (1945-01)TfL Corporate Archives
At the peak of production, 4,600 staff were directly employed by the LPTB on work for the Halifax plane
Staff from London Aircraft Production Group visiting an airfield to see completed aircraft (1941-1945)TfL Corporate Archives
A total of 710 Halifax planes were built by the LAPG between 1942 and 1945
Article describing the naming by Lord Ashfield of the 710th and last Halifax aircraft (1945-05)TfL Corporate Archives
The final plane, delivered to the R.A.F on 16 April 1945, was named the London Pride
The importance to the war effort of the work of London Aircraft Production staff (1945-01)TfL Corporate Archives
Story compiled by TfL using information in records at the Transport for London Corporate Archives. The Corporate Archives seeks to preserve and make accessible records, not to interpret them. A wider range of material is available for physical consultation.
Permission is granted to reproduce for personal and educational use only.
You are all set!
Your first Culture Weekly will arrive this week.