North American Aviation Collection

A P-51 Mustang flies alongside a B-17 Flying Fortress
A P-51 Mustang flies along the Mississippi in formation with a B-17 Flying Fortress at Dubuque, Iowa

The cockpit of a P-51 Mustang

A vintage F-86 Sabre of the Warbird Heritage Foundation takes off from Waukegan, Illinois

An F-86 Sabre jet in flight over Glendale, Arizona

A P-51 Mustang flies by at Vacaville, California

P-51 ("Mustang") fighter planes being prep... North American Aviation, Inc, Inglewood, Calif. 1942
P-51 (" Mustang" ) fighter planes being prepared for test flight at the field of the North American Aviation, Inc. plant in Inglewood, Calif

RA-5C Vigilante in flight, circa 1966

North Americans P-51 Mustang Fighter... North American Aviation, Inc. Inglewood, Calif. 1942. Creator: Mark Sherwood
North Americans P-51 Mustang Fighter is in service with Britains Royal Air Force, N[orth] A[merican] Aviation, Inc. Inglewood, Calif

Switch boxes on the firewalls of B-25 bombers... North American Aviation, Inglewood, Calif. 1942
Switch boxes on the firewalls of B-25 bombers are assembled by women workers at North American [Aviation, Inc.]s Inglewood, Calif. plant

Part of the cowling for one of the motors for a B-25... North American Aviation, Inglewood, CA
Part of the cowling for one of the motors for a B-25 bomber is assembled in the engine department of North American Aviation, Inc.s Inglewood, Calif. plant

In North Americans modern machine shop... North American Aviation, Inc. Inglewood, Calif. 1942
In North Americans modern machine shop, another aircraft part is finished on a huge turret lathe, North American Aviation, Inc. Inglewood, Calif

Clerk in one of the stock rooms of North American Aviation, Inc... Inglewood, Calif. 1942. Creator: Alfred T Palmer
Clerk in one of the stock rooms of North American Aviation, Inc. checking to see if the proper numbers of parts were received and placed in the proper bin, Inglewood, Calif

P-51 ("Mustang") fighter plane in construction, North American Aviation, Inc. LA, Calif. (1942?)
P-51 (" Mustang" ) fighter plane in construction, North American Aviation, Inc. Los Angeles, Calif. Probably the plant in Inglewood, a Los Angeles suburb

Metal parts are placed on masonite by... North American Aviation, Inc. Inglewood, Calif. 1942. Creator: Alfred T Palmer
Metal parts are placed on masonite by this woman employee before they slide under the multi-ton hydropress, North American Aviation, Inc. Inglewood, Calif

An employee in the drill-press section of North Americans huge machine... Inglewood, Calif
An employee in the drill-press section of North Americans huge machine shop runs mounting holes in a large dural casting, Inglewood, Calif

On North Americans outdoor assembly line... North American Aviation, Inc. Inglewood, Calif
On North Americans outdoor assembly line, a painter cleans the tail section of a P-51 fighter prior to spraying the olive-drab camouflage of the U.S. Army, North American Aviation, Inc

Cowling and control rods are added to motors for... North American Inc. Inglewood, Calif. 1942
Cowling and control rods are added to motors for North American B-25 bombers as they move down the assembly line, North American, Inc. Inglewood, Calif

Sheet metal parts are numbered with this pneu... North American Aviation, Inc. Inglewood, CA, 1942
Sheet metal parts are numbered with this pneumatic numbering machine in North Americans sheet metal department, North American Aviation, Inc. Inglewood, Calif

Two women employees of North American Aviation, Incorporated, assembling a section of a... 1942
Two women employees of North American Aviation, Incorporated, assembling a section of a wing for a P-51 fighter plane

Employees on the "Sunshine"assembly line at North Americans plant... Inglewood, Calif. 1942
Employees on the " Sunshine" assembly line at North Americans plant put the finishing touches on another B-25 bomber, Inglewood, Calif

View of the B-25 final assembly line at North American Aviations Inglewood, California, plant

Members of the experimental staff... North American Aviation, Inc, plant, Inglewood, Calif. 1942
Member[s] of the experimental staff at the North American Aviation, Inc. plant, observe wind tunnel tests on an accurate scale model of the B-25 (" Billy Mitchell" ) bomber, Inglewood

North American B-25 bomber is prepared... North American Aviation, Inc. Inglewood, Calif. 1942
North American B-25 bomber is prepared for painting on the outside assembly line, North American Aviation, Inc. Inglewood, Calif

Another North American B-25 bomber rolls off the final assembly line to join other ships... 1942
Another North American B-25 bomber rolls off the final assembly line to join other ships on the outdoor assembly line, North

Assembling B-25 bombers at North American Aviation, Kansas City, Kansas, 1942. Creator: Alfred T Palmer
Assembling B-25 bombers at North American Aviation, Kansas City, Kansas

New B-25 bombers lined up for final inspection... North American Aviation, Inc. Calif. 1942. Creator: Alfred T Palmer
New B-25 bombers lined up for final inspection and tests at the flying field of an aircraft plant, North American Aviation, Inc. Calif. It performs at the 25, 000-foot ceiling

B-25 bomber planes at the North American Aviation, Incorporated... Kansas City, Kansas, 1942. Creator: Alfred T Palmer
B-25 bomber planes at the North American Aviation, Incorporated being hauled along an outdoor assembly line with an " International" tractor, Kansas City, Kansas

Punching rivet holes in a frame member for a B-25 bomber... North American Aviation, Inc. CA, 1942
Punching rivet holes in a frame member for a B-25 bomber, the plant of North American Aviation, Inc. Calif

B-25 bombers on the outdoor assembly line at North American Aviation... Kansas City, Kansas, 1942
B-25 bombers on the outdoor assembly line at North American Aviation, Incorporated, almost ready for their first test flight, Kansas City, Kansas

Riveting team working on the cockpit shell of a... Douglas Aircraft Co. Long Beach, Calif. 1942
Riveting team working on the cockpit shell of a B-25 [i.e. C-47] bomber at the plant of North American Aviation, Inc. Inglewood [i.e. Douglas Aircraft Company, Long Beach], Calif

Making wiring assemblies at a junction box... North American Aviation, Inc. Inglewood, CA, 1942
Making wiring assemblies at a junction box on the fire wall for the right engine of a B-25 bomber, North American Aviation, Inc. [Inglewood], Calif

Huge drop hammers work day and night form... North American Aviation, Inc. Inglewood, Calif. 1942
Huge drop hammers work day and night forming sheet metal parts for United Nations bombers and fighters at the North American Aviation, Inc. plant, Inglewood, Calif

A wing brace assembly for a B-25 bomber is prepared... North American Aviation, Inc. Calif. 1942
A wing brace assembly for a B-25 bomber is prepared for the assembly line of an aircraft plant, North American Aviation, Inc. Calif

Mounting motor on a Fairfax B-25 bomber, North American Aviation, Inc. Inglewood, Calif. 1942. Creator: Alfred T Palmer
Mounting motor [on a] Fairfax B-25 bomber, at North American Aviation, Inc. plant in [Inglewood], Calif

Part of the cowling for one of the motors... North American Aviation, Inc. Inglewood, Calif. 1942
Part of the cowling for one of the motors for a B-25 bomber is assembled in the engine department of North American Aviation, Inc.s Inglewood, Calif. plant

Operating a hand drill at the North American Aviation, Inc. a woman is in the control... 1942. Creator: Alfred T Palmer
Operating a hand drill at the North American Aviation, Inc. [a] woman is in the control surface department assembling a section of the leading edge for the horizontal stabilizer of a plane

P-51 "Mustang"fighter in flight, Inglewood, Calif. 1942. Creator: Alfred T Palmer
P-51 " Mustang" fighter in flight, Inglewood, Calif. The " Mustang", built by North American Aviation, Incorporated

A nose wheel and landing gear assembly for a B-25... North American Aviation, Inc. Calif. 1942
A nose wheel and landing gear assembly for a B-25 bomber under construction in a western aircraft plant, North American Aviation, Inc. Calif. A front section of the plane shows in the background

Bomb bay gasoline tanks for long flights... North American Aviation, Inc. Inglewood, Calif. 1942
Bomb bay gasoline tanks for long flights of B-25 bombers await assembly in the plant of North American Aviation, Inc. Inglewood, Calif

Employees at North American Aviation, Incorporated, assembling... Inglewood, Calif. 1942. Creator: Alfred T Palmer
Employees at North American Aviation, Incorporated, assembling the cowling on Allison motors for the P-51 fighter planes, Inglewood, Calif

An experimental scale model of the B-25... North American Aviation, Inc. Inglewood, Calif. 1942
An experimental scale model of the B-25 plane is prepared for wind tunnel tests in the plant of North American Aviation, Inc. Inglewood, Calif. This plant produced the B-25 bomber

A young woman employee of North American Aviation, Incorporated... Inglewood, Calif. 1942. Creator: Alfred T Palmer
A young woman employee of North American Aviation, Incorporated, working over the landing gear mechanism of a P-51 fighter plane, Inglewood, Calif. The mechanism resembles a small cannon

Woman working on an airplane motor at North American Aviation, Inc. plant in Calif. 1942. Creator: Alfred T Palmer
Woman working on an airplane motor at North American Aviation, Inc. plant in Calif

1940s pin-up girl standing on the wing of a World War II T-6 Texan
1940s style pin-up girl standing on the wing of a World War II T-6 Texan

1940s pin-up girl sitting on the wing of a World War II T-6 Texan
1940s style pin-up girl sitting on the wing of a World War II T-6 Texan

P-51D Mustang assigned to the 328th Fighter Squadron
North American P-51D Mustang, The West By Gawd Virginian II, assigned to the 328th Fighter Squadron

P-51 Cavalier Mustang with Supermarine Spitfire fighter warbirds
Angelholm, Sweden - North American P-51 Cavalier Mustang with Supermarine Spitfire Mk. XVIII and Mk. XVI fighter warbirds

1940s style pin-up girl sitting on the cockpit of a World War II T-6 Texan

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North American Aviation: A Legacy of Excellence From the iconic P-51 Mustang to the powerful B-17 Flying Fortress, it has left an indelible mark on aviation history. Founded in 1928 and headquartered in Inglewood, California, this pioneering company has consistently pushed boundaries and set new standards for aircraft manufacturing. In 1942, Alfred T Palmer captured a mesmerizing moment as a P-51 Mustang soared gracefully alongside a B-17 Flying Fortress. The sheer power and elegance exhibited by these warbirds epitomize North American Aviation's commitment to innovation and engineering excellence. The Warbird Heritage Foundation proudly preserves vintage aircraft like the F-86 Sabre, showcasing their historical significance. This sleek jet fighter takes us back to an era when aerial supremacy was fiercely contested, with the F-86 Sabre playing a pivotal role. Mark Sherwood's lens immortalized another P-51 Mustang flying over Vacaville, California. Its distinctive silhouette against the clear blue sky reminds us of North American Aviation's contribution to World War II efforts. Fast forward to 1966, where we witness an RA-5C Vigilante soaring through the skies with unparalleled speed and precision. This advanced reconnaissance aircraft reflects North American Aviation's continuous pursuit of cutting-edge technology. Alfred T Palmer also documented various aspects of production at North American Aviation during its heyday in 1942. From switch boxes meticulously installed on B-25 bombers' firewalls to cowling parts for motor assembly – every detail mattered in creating exceptional aircraft that would shape history. Inside their modern machine shop, workers diligently crafted components that formed the backbone of these magnificent machines. Alfred T Palmer captured this scene perfectly – a testament to North American Aviation's dedication to quality craftsmanship. Behind-the-scenes glimpses reveal stock rooms bustling with activity as clerks ensure smooth operations at North American Aviation headquarters. These unsung heroes played an integral role in supporting the company's mission.