Operating a hand drill at Vultee-Nashville, woman is working on a "Vengeance" dive bomber, Tennessee (LOC)

Palmer, Alfred T.,, photographer.

Operating a hand drill at Vultee-Nashville, woman is working on a "Vengeance" dive bomber, Tennessee

1943 Feb.

1 transparency : color.

Notes:
 Title from FSA or OWI agency caption.
Transfer from U.S. Office of War Information, 1944.

Subjects:
 Airplane industry
Women--Employment
World War, 1939-1945
Bombers
Drilling
United States--Tennessee--Nashville

Format: Transparencies--Color

Rights Info: No known restrictions on publication.

Repository: Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division, Washington, D.C. 20540 USA, hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/pp.print

Part Of: Farm Security Administration - Office of War Information Collection 12002-41 (DLC) 93845501

General information about the FSA/OWI Color Photographs is available at hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/pp.fsac

Persistent URL: hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/fsac.1a35373

Call Number: LC-USW36-301

Comments and faves

  1. ★

    Aunt Selma, dullshick, Quack the Wooley Duck, Heather / momzilla_ca, and 83 other people added this photo to their favorites.

  2. lavardera (60 months ago | reply)

    I think that's a rivet gun, not a hand drill.

  3. The Library of Congress (60 months ago | reply)

    Thanks! For now, we’re gathering the suggestions and corrections, but holding off on making changes until more comments come in.

  4. reckel1 (59 months ago | reply)

    Definitely a drill - note electric cable and the actual bit between the open fingers.
    This looks more like a training jig where a "bad" rivet is drilled out and replaced. Rarely is work so convenient..

  5. Hamsta180 (45 months ago | reply)

    I'm pretty sure it's Pnuematic, (air pressure) I used virtually the same thing when I was a mechanic for the Israeli Air Force working on F-16a/b's

    While a drill bit may be installed, I believe it is used as a screwdriver here. Screws are used in panels which would need to be opened frequently for repairs.

  6. krylonultraflat (45 months ago | reply)

    Also - you should link to the other image of this woman here: www.flickr.com/photos/library_of_congress/217 9038448/in/s...

    This is more of a snapshot that gives the woman's identity; the other photo is more of a work of art. Both are gorgeous.

  7. campbellcierra (44 months ago | reply)

    I her smile here, and the fact that she is doing something positive for the world.

  8. ako253 (37 months ago | reply)

    Absolutely beautiful and empowering. Interesting to compare to a more popular image. I wish more photos like this were shown in the classroom.

  9. nextstar14 (37 months ago | reply)

    This is a very inspiring photo because is shows the equality job opportunities for women regards of their gender. This photo shows the resilience of women to fight for equal job opportunities as men and that women have the capability to do the same jobs as men. I really like this photo.

  10. Wegothim (28 months ago | reply)

    Hamsta180, I think it is electrical. Look at the protective boot for the electrical cable right below the drill. Also, air powered machines normally have a quick disconnect on the hose-machine link and the hose should be larger O.D.
    Just my 2 cents.

  11. Hamsta180 (27 months ago | reply)

    The quick disconnect is on the other side of the tube, which can be seen as the air hose rises behind her.

    Here's a photo of another riveter, this one with a quick disconnect at the tool, which has a hose with a similar diameter.
    memory.loc.gov/service/pnp/fsac/1a34000/1a349 00/1a34953v.jpg

  12. Wegothim (27 months ago | reply)

    Hamsta180, I cannot agree. The hose on the machine which you provide the link is much larger, and that is, an air hose.
    But the discussion lead to a very nice picture that is the benefit :)

  13. lavardera (27 months ago | reply)

    Its electric - the vents in the housing are for cooling the electric motor, typically a small fan on the end of the motor shaft behind those vents.

    She is likely drilling - counter-sinking the holes for flush rivets. Although there are rivet driver attachments for drills, in a factory setting they would probably have used an air-driven rivet hammer tool.

  14. Hamsta180 (27 months ago | reply)

    Alright, I concede, I guess you guys are right about it being electrical.

  15. lavardera (27 months ago | reply)

    I went back and forth on it because you were right about the size of the cord etc. Its only because the air hose in the background looks red, and the chord at the drill looks black that I changed my mind.

  16. Wegothim (27 months ago | reply)

    These old windings from WWII had a specific smell when operated, coupled with the Bakelite. Then the Japaneese came on the market with a different plastic smell, and now the Chineese machines...
    They all smell different because of the base materials !

  17. This photo was invited and added to the Women in Aviation group.

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