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U.S. Bomber Production Numbers in World War II

The United States manufactured about 300,000 military aircraft just prior to, and during, World War II. Total US aircraft production totaled 324,750, with main aircraft types as follows:

Type of Airplane
Number Built
Bombers
97,810
Fighters
99,950
Transport
23,929
Trainers
57,623
Total
279,312


Total aircraft production of major bomber types:

Type of Bomber
Number Built
B-17 Flying Fortress
12,731
B-24 Liberator
18,493
B-25 Mitchell
9,890
B-29 Superfortress
3,970
Total
45,084

This page summarizes production numbers for frequently used bombers during the war, including the B-17 Flying Fortress, B-24 Liberator, B-25 Mitchell, and the B-29 Superfortress.

B-17 Flying Fortress Production Recap by Model and Assembly Plant

Production of the B-17 ended in May 1945 and totaled 12,731. They were built by Boeing in Seattle (BO), Douglas Aircraft Co. (DL) in Long Beach, CA and Vega Aircraft Corp. (VE) in Burbank, CA.

The table shown below represents a recap of B-17 Flying Fortress production by model, and by manufacturing plant.:

B-17 Model
Boeing
Seattle (BO)
Douglas
Long Beach (DL)
Vega
Burbank (VE)
Production
Numbers
299, YB-17, B-17A
15
15
B-17B
39
39
B-17C
38
38
B-17D
42
42
B-17E
512
512
B-17F
2,300
605
500
3,405
B-17G
4,035
2,395

2,250

8,680
Total
6,981
3,000
2,750
12,731


B-17E Flying Fortress 41-9061

B-17E Flying Fortress 41-9061


B-24 Liberator Production Recap by Model and Assembly Plant

A total of 18,493 Liberators were built, more than any other aircraft in World War II. Several factories produced the Liberator:

  • Original Consolidated plant in San Diego
  • A second Consolidated plant in Fort Worth
  • Ford Motor Co. at Willow Run, Michigan
  • North American Aviation in Dallas
  • Douglas Aircraft Co. in Tulsa

The table shown below represents a recap of B-24 Liberator production by model, and by manufacturing plant. Numbers represent our best research on the subject; there are minor variations in numbers reported by other sources and outlets.

B-24 Model
Consol-idated
San
Diego (CO)
Consol-idated
Fort
Worth (CF)
Ford
Willow
Run (FO)
North American
Dallas (NT)
Douglas
Tulsa
(DT)
Total
Number
Built
Early Models
(XB-24, YB-24,
B-24A, etc.)
34
34
B-24D
2,381
305
10
2,696
B-24E
144
490
167
801
B-24G
430
430
B-24H
738
1,780
582
3,100
B-24J
2,792
1,558
1,587
536
205
6,678
B-24L
417
1,250
1,667
B-24M
916
1,677
2,593
Liberator I
20
20
Liberator II
139
139
Liberator III
260
260
LB-30
75
75
TOTAL
7,034
2,745
6,784
966
964
18,493


Consolidated B-24 assembly line at Fort Worth
B-24 assembly line

B-25 Mitchell Bomber Assembly Plants and Production Numbers

Of the 9,890 B-25s built during WWII, there are more than one hundred surviving aircraft around the world, most of which are located in the United States.

The table shown below represents a recap of B-25 Mitchell production by model, and by manufacturing plant:

B-25 Model
North American
Inglewood, CA
North American
Kansas City, KS
Production
Numbers
NA-40
1
11
B-25
24
24
B-25A
40
40
B-25B
120
120
B-25C
1,620
1,690
B-25D
2,290
2,290
B-25G
405
405
B-25H
1,000
1,000
B-25J
4,390
4,390
Total
3,210
6,680
9,890

Early production model of the B-25 Mitchell
Early production model of the B-25 Mitchell

B-26 Marauder Assembly Plants and Production

The Martin B-26 Marauder was an American twin-engined medium bomber that was designed and built by the Glenn L. Martin Company. The bomber was assembled at plants in Baltimore, Maryland, and Omaha, Nebraska.

A total of 5,288 Marauders were built between 1941 and 1945. After the Marauder was retired, the unrelated Douglas A-26 Invader assumed the "B-26" designation, which led to confusion between the two aircraft.

B-29 Superfortress Assembly Plants and Production Numbers

A total of 3,970 production B-29s were built, at these locations:

     
Prototypes
Production
Aircraft Manufacturer
Plant Location
Plant Code
XB-29
YB-29
B-29
B-29A
B-29B
Production
B-29s Built
Boeing Seattle, Washington
BO
3
Boeing Renton, Washington
BN
1,122
1,122
Boeing Wichita,
Kansas
BW
14
1,644
1,644
Bell Aircraft Co. Atlanta (Marietta),
Georgia
BA
357
311
668
Glenn L. Martin Co. Omaha,
Nebraska
MO
536
536
 
Total Production
2,537
1,122
311
3,970

Inside the Boeing Wichita Kansas Plant, B-29 Superfortress assembly line
Inside the Boeing Wichita Kansas Plant, B-29 assembly line

B-32 Dominator Production Numbers

At the time of cancellation of the contract by the USAAF, Consolidated Fort Worth had produced 74 B-32s and 40 TB-32s, and San Diego had built one aircraft.

A total of 300 B-32s were ordered, but only 118 were delivered to the USAAF. A total of 130 were flyable, and 170 more cancelled. Orders for an additional 1,099 B-32-CFs and 499 B-32-COs were cancelled after VJ-Day.

The table shown below represents a recap of B-32 Dominator production by model, and by manufacturing plant. Numbers represent our best research on the subject; there are minor variations in numbers reported by other sources and outlets.

B-32 Model
Consolidated
San Diego (CO)
Consolidated
Fort Worth (CF)
Total
Number Built
XB-32
3
0
3
B-32
1
74
75
TB-32
0
40
40
TOTAL
4
114
118

Consolidated TB-32 Dominator assembly line in Fort Worth, Texas
Consolidated TB-32 Dominator assembly line in Fort Worth, Texas