How Did They Camouflage an Aircraft Factory in WWII?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Math Is Hard
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Airplane
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the camouflage techniques used to conceal the Lockheed Burbank Aircraft Plant during World War II, exploring the involvement of Hollywood set designers and the effectiveness of these methods. The conversation includes anecdotes and reflections on the historical context and implications of such camouflage strategies.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants note that the Army Corps of Engineers used camouflage netting and trompe l’oeil to disguise the Lockheed Burbank Aircraft Plant as a rural subdivision.
  • Others mention that Hollywood set designers were likely involved in creating the camouflage due to their proximity to the factory and expertise in set design.
  • A participant shares a humorous anecdote about Jack Warner's response to concerns about the factory's visibility from the air, leading to the installation of a large sign pointing to Burbank.
  • One participant references stage magician Jasper Maskelyne's similar camouflage efforts, such as hiding the Suez Canal.
  • There are differing opinions on the effectiveness of the camouflage, with some suggesting it was quite effective for its time, while others express skepticism about its overall quality.
  • The conversation also touches on the evolution of camouflage strategies over time, with a participant mentioning that later strategies may have been more cost-effective.
  • Several posts include light-hearted banter about spelling mistakes and the nature of the discussion, which diverges into humor rather than technical analysis.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a mix of agreement on the involvement of Hollywood set designers but differ in their assessments of the effectiveness and quality of the camouflage. The discussion remains somewhat unresolved regarding the overall impact of these strategies.

Contextual Notes

Some claims about the effectiveness of the camouflage and the specific contributions of Hollywood set designers depend on subjective interpretations and may not be universally accepted. The discussion includes anecdotal evidence and personal reflections that may not be fully substantiated.

Math Is Hard
Staff Emeritus
Science Advisor
Gold Member
Messages
4,650
Reaction score
36
During World War II the Army Corps of Engineers needed to hide the Lockheed Burbank Aircraft Plant to protect it from a Japanese air attack. They covered it with camouflage netting and trompe l’oeil to make it look like a rural subdivision from the air.

http://thinkorthwim.com/2007/08/19/1034/

Someone in our building mentioned that it was primarily Hollywood set designers that constructed the camoflauge.
 
Science news on Phys.org
Wow, that's a pretty good disguise.

Found this funny:
Well aware that the Lockheed aircraft plant in Burbank, just blocks from his studio, was certain to be a high-value target, [Jack Warner] was horrified one day to have someone point out that, from the air, a Japanese bomber might not be able to tell the difference. Warner promptly visited the studio’s paint shop and ordered the erection of an enormous sign on the roof of one of the Warner soundstages. The result? A twenty-foot arrow pointing to Burbank, along with the words: LOCKHEED - THAT-A-WAY!
 
Math Is Hard said:
Someone in our building mentioned that it was primarily Hollywood set designers that constructed the camoflauge.

As the comments in your link point out, that factory was very close to a movie studio and who better to do the job than set designers who routinely remade studio street sets for each new film? I wouldn't say this camouflage was their best work, though. But maybe it was more effective in color.
 
zoobyshoe said:
As the comments in your link point out, that factory was very close to a movie studio and who better to do the job than set designers who routinely remade studio street sets for each new film? I wouldn't say this camouflage was their best work, though. But maybe it was more effective in color.

For it's time, I think it looks incredibly effective. Granted, the camoflauge strategy from the 60's on is probably cheaper - smog!
 
BobG said:
...the camoflauge strategy...
Are you sucking up to MIH? You imitated her misspelling.
 
Bob was trying to camouflage my spelling mistake. Thank you, Bob. You're a good pal! :approve:
 
Math Is Hard said:
Bob was trying to camouflage my spelling mistake. Thank you, Bob. You're a good pal! :approve:
Hehe, wait till you get his bill. I hear he charges Hollywood prices for his camouflage jobs.

Actually, I noticed your misspelling right away but for erroneous reasons: I was sure it was spelled "camoflage". My spell check told me that, too, was wrong, and I resorted to googling it to get the corrective question "Did you mean: camouflage". (For some reason they don't punctuate that with a question mark.) Regardless, I think we're all now aware you're working on a secret airplane factory.
 
Wow, and as a side benefit, all the employees had covered parking. I bet that was a nice treat during Burbank summers.
 
  • #10
Right along side Burbank airport is another runway for Lockheed's Skunk works that built U2, SR71 etc. In the biography of Kelly and the Skunk works they explain how all the conspiacy nuts, spies and plane watchers were camped out at the secret test bases in the desert - they flew these secret planes out of an airport in the middle of Hollywood at night, carefully timed to avoid spy satelites.
 
Last edited:

Similar threads

News Bush Administration: My Indictment
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
4K