Cleveland Tank Plant: Aircraft and Military Vehicle Production at Cleveland Plant 2 (1942-1970)

This book tells the story of the Cleveland Tank Plant, from its construction in 1942 through to the end of military vehicle production at the facility in 1970. Originally built to be part of the massive industrial effort supporting the B-29 Superfortress program, Cleveland Plant 2 was managed by General Motors’ Fisher Aircraft Division during World War II, producing the ill-fated Fisher XP-75 Eagle fighter as well as B-29 subassemblies for final assembly lines in Marietta, Omaha, Renton, and Wichita. After the Second World War ended, the facility was used for a variety of non-military purposes, from hosting the National Air Races to storing beans.

The outbreak of the Korean War in 1950 saw the factory begin production again, this time producing the M41 Walker Bulldog light tank and the M42 Duster antiaircraft vehicle. Over the next 20 years the factory also built the M56 Scorpion tank destroyer, M114 reconnaissance vehicle, M108 and M109 self-propelled artillery, the M551 Sheridan light tank, and the prototypes of the revolutionary but ill-fated MBT-70 main battle tank. While the factory was closed in 1971, the facility lives on today as the I-X Convention Center near Cleveland’s Hopkins International Airport.

Profusely illustrated with vintage colour and black and white photos, this book provides a fascinating insight into tank production and a glimpse of mid-20th century American industrial history. As well as covering the production and factory testing of Cleveland Plant 2’s aircraft and military vehicles, the book also explores their use in military service.