132286
My 8187-AN Southbed ToolRoom Heavy 10 lathe was ordered 10 days after the Pearl Harbor bombing by the War Department.
The War Department had Southbend manufacture a wooden cabinet (specified Hard Maple and painted olive green) in lieu of the regular steel bench.
It took 10 days short of a year to be completed and when complete, was shipped to Duncan Field, TX.
At that time, Duncan Field was the largest aircraft support and pilot training base in the U.S.
 
Imaging the frenzied state of ramping up for war just ten days past the attack.
Give the War Dept. the best (Tool Room UND DD) with a custom maple bench and deliver it ASAP.
And still, it took 3 days short of a year to ship this urgently needed piece of equipment.
 
Please post my serial card and if possible, the above description so others can share in this amazing machine's history.