Boeing Metamorphosis – John Fredrickson with John Andrew

Review by Charles Page.

In 1963, after a presentation by John Andrew, his Boeing boss said, ‘By god, we are going to quit building doghouses, aren’t we, Johnny?’ This marked the launch of Andrew’s major role in planning and supervising new and larger aircraft factories.

In this impressive and handsome hardback, John Andrew with John Fredrickson take us through the ‘metamorphosis’ of Boeing from a mainly military supplier to a world-leading airliner producer. Although the subtitle covers only four years, the book traces the history of Boeing from its founding in 1916 by William E Boeing to the launch of the 747 in 1969. As well as planning and logistics, Andrew discusses Boeing’s corporate decisions and those who made them.

After the Second World War, Boeing gained from German research into swept wings and engine pods, which resulted in the B-47 and B-52 bombers. Then, in 1954, the Dash-80 became the ‘pathfinder’ for the 707 and the KC-135. However, with the development of the 727, 737 and 747, there was a crucial need for more assembly plants.

John Andrew began with Boeing in 1955 and was a vital part of Boeing’s expansion. He gives a highly readable, firsthand account of his part in developing Boeing’s assembly plants at Plant 2 Seattle, Renton for the 737 and Everett for the 747. Andrew was not only responsible for planning, and construction logistics, but also played a major role in the choice of site. He was able to persuade Chairman Bill Allen that, despite its site problems, Everett was the best choice. It was a brave decision, typical of Andrew. Everett was completed as the biggest building in the world, and Andrew ensured it was constructed ahead of schedule and under budget. In his own words, the factory was, ‘a machine where twenty thousand workers gather to assemble the world’s largest airliner’.

As you would expect from Schiffer, this is a quality production, with excellent images and diagrams. The book comes complete with endnotes and index, and some useful site maps of Puget Sound, Seattle, Renton and Everett. The book is laden with inside information on Boeing’s development and is written in an engaging and candid style.

ISBN 978-0-76436-1-623