FORD MOTORS WORKS
EAGLE FARM, BRISBANE, QLD
DURING WWII

Ford Motors at Eagle Farm did a considerable amount of manufacturing work of the military in Brisbane during WW2. Some of the items included production of Fuel Belly Tanks for the USAFIA.

Another activity was the fabrication of steel for the production of Australian Landing Craft for the Australian Army. From 1942, the 32 feet, 38 feet and 44 feet Australian Landing Craft were manufactured at the Ford Motor Works at Eagle Farm. The 32 feet and 38 feet Australian Landing Craft were manufactured in four sections. Each steel hull and side plate sections were dipped in sulphuric acid then washed in phosphoric acid baths. They were then coated with zinc chromate. The components were then transported to an Australian Landing Craft Assembly Depot at Boggy Creek at Pinkenba where they were assembled and launched into the Brisbane river.

State Library of Queensland, Image number: 189925

Ford Motor Company's building in Eagle Farm in 1936. Note the canvas striped awnings over the windows.

State Library of Queensland, Image number: 80257

Trenches at Ford Motor Works, Brisbane, 1942. Note the open paddocks in the background.

State Library of Queensland, Image number: 98140

Slit trench system being built at Ford Motor Works, Eagle Farm, to provide air raid protection on 17 January 1942.

State Library of Queensland, Image number: 11700

Aerial view of the slit trench system at Ford motor works, Eagle Farm.

State Library of Queensland, Image number: 186833

Aerial view of the air raid shelter at the Ford factory

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I'd like to thank Alan Thomas for his assistance with this web page.

REFERENCES

"Watermen of War - A History of No. 43 Australian Water Transport Operating Company (Landing Craft) of the Royal Australian Engineers"
by Colonel John Pearn

Can anyone help me with more information?

"Australia @ War" WWII Research Products

This page first produced 9 March 2008

This page last updated 16 January 2020