Memories of War: Scenes from Oklahoma's war machine
Midwest City became a hub of aviation activity during World War II, and that legacy lives on today at Tinker Air Force Base where thousands of civilians are employed and aircraft are overhauled and maintained.
The C-47 Skytrain was made in Midwest City. Nicknamed the Gooney Bird, these planes would deliver cargo and paratroopers to destinations to Europe and the Pacific. The plant built 5,300 between 1943 and 1945, averaging 13 per day.
Besides making an average of 13 C-47's per day, the plant also fabricated spare parts for 500 more planes each day.
There were more than 400 C-54 Skymasters and 900 A-26 Invader attack bombers also made at the plant during its operation. These planes were produced by an estimated 38,000 Oklahomans, half of which were women.
The plant closed in 1945 but not before making a major contribution to the war effort.