Long Island played a vital role in aviation history during World War II. Join us as we uncover five fascinating facts about our contributions to aircraft manufacturing, testing, and innovation during this transformative era. Many of these facts come from the Cradle of Aviation Museum.
CG-4 Troop Gliders Built on Long Island helps deliver fighting men to Europe - Combat gliders were essential for risky missions in WWII, landing troops and gear behind enemy lines from 1943 onwards, including during the Allied invasion of Sicily and D-Day. According to the Cradle of Aviation Museum, two Long Island firms, Dade Brothers, a former house builder in Mineola, who built the wings and tail, and a fledgling aeronautical firm, General Aircraft in Queens, who built the fuselages, were enlisted to ramp up production on the aircraft. “Together these two firms built around 1000 CG-4 gliders on Long Island during the war,” the museum says.
McArthur Airport was built for military use after Pearl Harbor - In 1942 after Pearl Harbor was bombed, the airport was built on Islip Town-owned land for military use during the war. The airport took one year to build and cost $1.5 million and was originally named Islip Airport. At the time the airfield consisted of three 5,000-foot runways. Islip Airport was renamed MacArthur Airport after General Douglas MacArthur. After WWII the Town of Islip took over ownership of the airport from the U.S. Army Air Corps. For more facts about Long Island MacArthur Airport, click here.
Grumman F6F Hellcat was the best carrier-based fighter of WWII - The Grumman F6F Hellcat emerged as the top carrier-based fighter in WWII, designed to counter Japan's Zero fighter. Armed with six .50 caliber machine guns and rockets, its wings folded for carrier storage. This was a huge innovation developed by Grumman. Sacrificing speed for climb rate and maneuverability, it boasted rugged armor. First flown in June 1942, it saw operational deployment in the Pacific in August 1943, participating in all major battles. Grumman's production peak reached an unmatched record of 644 Hellcats per month in 1944, totaling 12,275 built. For more facts about Grumman, click here.
Republic P-47 Thunderbolt seen as one of America's greatest fighters of WWII - The Republic P-47 Thunderbolt, the heaviest single-engine fighter in WWII, stood out among its contemporaries for its remarkable bulk. Despite its size, it excelled in combat, becoming one of the best-performing fighters of the war and was produced in greater numbers than any other U.S.-made fighter.
Roosevelt Field was commissioned as Naval Air Facility Mineola in 1943 - The mission of the base was to serve as a center to deliver new aircraft. It delivered 6,662 aircraft over 2 1/2 years. The field hosted both Army and Navy operations, with a 3,000 ft runway. At its peak, the airfield had three runways, parking ramps, six large hangars, and numerous smaller buildings.