What military equipment did Ford make?
Ford produced major military equipment during World War II, notably jeeps (GPW), an amphibious jeep (GPA), B-24 Liberator bombers built at Willow Run, and M4A3E8 Sherman tanks built at the Detroit Tank Plant.
The items below highlight Ford's most significant wartime outputs that directly supported ground, air, and naval operations.
- GPW Jeep (General Purpose Jeep) – Ford produced a license-built version of the Willys MB, becoming a central source of light, versatile transport for U.S. and Allied forces.
- Ford GPA amphibious jeep – An amphibious variant designed to operate on land and water, produced by Ford to support Marines and Navy missions in maritime environments.
- B-24 Liberator bomber (Willow Run) – At the Willow Run plant near Detroit, Ford helped mass-produce B-24 heavy bombers, a backbone of Allied strategic bombing campaigns.
- M4A3E8 Sherman tanks (Detroit Tank Plant) – Ford’s Detroit Tank Plant produced Sherman tanks, including the M4A3E8 variant, delivering crucial armored support for ground operations.
Ford’s wartime production demonstrates how the company converted its manufacturing capacity to supply multiple branches of the military with critical equipment, spanning mobility, air power, and armored combat.
GPW Jeep: General Purpose Vehicle
The GPW was Ford’s license-built counterpart to the Willys MB jeep, designed for rapid production of a reliable lightweight vehicle capable of reconnaissance, troop transport, and general support on diverse terrains. Ford integrated its own assembly processes while adhering to the Willys design, enabling mass delivery to Allied forces and contributing to the jeep’s iconic role on multiple fronts.
What this meant in practice
Ford’s output helped ensure a steady supply of small, versatile vehicles that could operate in diverse theaters—from North Africa to Europe and the Pacific—boosting mobility for infantry, medics, engineers, and commanders in the field.
Ford GPA: The Amphibious Jeep
The GPA was an amphibious variant designed for combined land-sea operations, allowing troops and matériel to reach inland areas accessed by waterways. Ford produced these hull-based jeeps specifically for naval and Marine Corps needs, showcasing Ford’s ability to adapt land vehicles for waterborne missions.
Impact in naval and coastal operations
GPA units were deployed to support amphibious landings and riverine tasks, illustrating the broadened scope of Ford’s wartime manufacturing beyond traditional land-based vehicles.
B-24 Liberator: Willow Run’s Heavy Bomber
Willow Run became one of the largest aircraft production complexes in the world, with Ford coordinating the assembly of B-24 Liberator bombers. The aircraft’s long range and heavy payload made it a mainstay of Allied strategic bombing, contributing to air superiority and disruption of Axis supply lines.
Production impact
The program required a massive workforce and intricate supply chains, transforming Ford’s Detroit-area plants into a key air-power factory that helped sustain Allied air campaigns across multiple theaters.
M4A3E8 Sherman Tank: Detroit Tank Plant
Ford’s Detroit Tank Plant produced Sherman tanks, including the M4A3E8 “Easy Eight” variant. These tanks provided essential armored support for ground operations, cooperating with infantry and air support to push back Axis defenses.
Operational role
Through the Sherman production, Ford contributed to the Allied armored capabilities that fought across Europe and beyond, reinforcing the alliance’s ability to conduct large-scale land campaigns.
Summary
During World War II, Ford leveraged its manufacturing prowess to produce a diverse array of military equipment—light jeeps and amphibious vehicles for mobility, heavy bombers for air power, and armored tanks for ground warfare. This multi-faceted output underscored Ford’s central role in the Allied war effort and demonstrated how civilian manufacturing capacity could be redirected to meet urgent defense needs.
What military equipment has Ford made?
It produced B-24 Liberator bombers at an impressive rate, contributing to the war effort. In addition to aircraft, Ford plants built 277,896 military vehicles, including tanks, armored cars and GPWs (general purpose Willys).
Did Ford build Sherman tanks?
The Museum's Sherman is an M4A3, built by Ford Motor Company in 1943. No unit markings were discovered when previous coats of paint were removed from the tank. Because the tank was manufactured in 1943, it is almost certain that it was deployed overseas during the war, although no battle damage was discovered.
What did Ford build during the war?
During WWII, Ford Motor Company was asked to help produce the most important weapon for the Allied Forces — B-24 bombers.
Did Ford make missiles?
Ford Aerospace was established in 1956 and operated until sold in 1990. In that time, it designed and produced some of the Cold War's most recognizable weapons, laser targeting pods, and even an attempt at a stealthy air-to-air missile.
