I've included here one of the latest posts from the Thread posted on the "All Hands" sub-forum about the closing of the Willow Run Plant.  I've attached a couple of extra pix. It was ironic that the pix were taken 58 years to the day of the dedication of the Ford Willow Run Bomber Plant. 
 
"On Friday, 12JN09, I was part of an invited group to follow the last block build of 4-speed automatic 4L80E transmissions being built for the military HumVee at the GM Willow Run Plant. It was a sad and historical day as the phase out to the final shutdown of the Willow Run Plant began its final approach to its  last day.  Ironically, the event came exactly 58 years to the day, 12JN41, when the Ford Willow Run B-24 Bomber Plant was "officially dedicated."  Friday was a day filled with lots of memories and interviews.
Attached Image(s)  
 

Thanks, Steven
 
Added to...
http://b24bw.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=Misc&action=display&thread=1502&page=1

I'm expressing here publicly a great big thank-you, Steven, for arranging a rare tour for two of us through what was the final assembly area of FO WR. And you were our escort for the tour.  As you know, we came to Willow Run Airport for the weekend to catch the Yankee Air Museum's Thunder Over Michigan Air Show. For me the ghost of my MIA cousin's ill-fated B-24L-10-FO 44-49607 came alive as I saw where the plane was built. We walked more than half the 3,200-foot length of what once was the world's largest building under one roof. Although I had carefully studied beforehand your copy of the B-24 assembly flow chart, I was totally blown away by the actual scale of the place once I was inside the plant!  Our historic trek took us along the corridor of one of the two former final bomber assembly lines, from the K-40 firewall eastward to K-90, where a floor turntable once rotated each plane southward and eventually out one of two gigantic hangar doors that still exist (kept in the open position during the summer). I was thrilled to see the east end of "the island" that I recognized in the archival photos I have. This was a long storage area for loose parts that stretched between the two parallel B-24 assembly lines; the framework of the island is still there unchanged. Without your intimate knowledge of the plant's history and the changes made to accommodate GM's powertrain operations, it would have been nearly impossible to visualize the WWII B-24 assembly line stations. Our tour ended outside the west end of the plant where Michigan has honored the Willow Run plant with flags and plaques designating the place as a state historical site.

It's hard to believe that as time moves along, the GM Willow Run Plant (formerly the FO WR Bomber Plant will truly close).  Yesterday, I came across a website, friendsofwillowrun.com, which is attempting to get a"reprieve" on its closure.  This, however, will not happen as the New GM moves forward.  I've attached a pic of the often-painted-over steel and glass hangar doors thru which "a bomber an hour" (every 63 mins) would exit during the peak production month of August 1944.  They would roll out on the tarmac and be queued in front of Hangar One (second and third pix) after all inspections were completed awaiting "fly-away."  The physical structure of this "Arsenal of Democracy" will disappear, but the memories will linger on as long as there are those people to tell her story to subsequent generations. 

papalafred

Steven,
I had not heard GM was going to close the plant!  I'm an architect from Grand Rapids working with Dennis Norton and Dick Stewart on the proposed rebuild of the YAM campus.
Do I understand from your post the building will not simply be abandoned, but in fact torn down...!?  It would be great to save something from the plant for the new museum.   
We had imagined a replica historic 'air tower' at the new campus with a view to the original plant as part of the visitor's experience.  But that may be of no value now...
 
Fred Gore

Hi, Fred!  The "firm" plan, which has also appeared in the media, is to have "all operations cease by December 31, 2010."  Off the record, I believe this will be pulled forward as much as possible, and I am already seeing indications that this is the true plan.  When this finally happens, there will be the usual selling off of assets and all the other bureaucratic and business intricacies that are involved in closing a plant.  This could take some time!  As to a timeline for either "razing the plant or selling it off (partially or entirely)," I am not privy to this information.  However, before retiring, I did observe a section of the airport that had been "refenced" to further extend the property at the west end of the east-west runway.
As for "memorabilia or artifacts" from the plant that still remain, I had some removed for YAM prior to my retirement and am in the process of attempting to acquire a few others that are left.
This may not answer your question entirely, but as far as the replica "air tower" from which to view the "FO WR Bomber Plant" is concerned, I personally don't see this as a viable option at this time.  However, who knows....  There may be "alternative plans" in place about which we all are unaware.  Hope this helps some!

Over the past few weeks, I had the pleasure to work with a young 4th grade "B-24 Guy" named Nolan Weimer.  Nolan is a finalist in the State of Michigan Web Competition. He chose the B-24 Liberator built at the Willow Run Plant. As a provider of pix, information and insights as well as being a "proof-reader," I became fascinated by the level of expertise and research on his part. Here is the link to his Project, and I am sure you will enjoy it.  Oh yes, he wants to be a pilot when he grows up!
http://14964705.nhd.weebly.com/

Ken
 
I always love  to see your collection of Black and White photos of the Willow Run Liberators. Recently a family member of a Low Level Ploesti pilot on the Aug.1,1943 mission found color movie films that the uncle took. Hap Kendall original member of the 93rd BG  409sq took footage of his plane LUCKY and their crew before the flight down to North Africa.
 
With permission from Kendalls family ,the 93rd BG has posted the movie film on their web site. Some great color shots before and after the Low Level Ploesti Mission veteran (LUCKY) B-24 D 41-24215    http://www.93rdbombardmentgroup.com/
 
Joe Avendano Duran
Nephew of Capt. Joe Avendano 93rd BG 328th Pilot of Dogpatchraiders  Aug 1. ,1943
 
PS The 93rd BG Reunion will be held at the Mighty 8Th AirForce Museum in Savannah GA. Oct.21-25 2010
     We welcome all for a great time with our veterans, family, and friends!
 

Another era is about to pass at Willow Run, and this time it will be the final chapter.  On Sunday, 09.19.10, there was a final gathering of people who had worked at Willow Run over the years.  Formally dedicated by Ford as a bomber plant, 06.16.41, it will formally "shut down" as a GM facility on 12.23.10. It was a day of mixed emotions as GM employees and Retirees mixed with a couple of former Ford "Rosies" on these hallowed grounds.  I will give one more tour thru the plant on 10.01.10 to experience the ghosts of this "Arsenal of Democracy" before I also bid it a "fond farewell."  Fittingly, at the end of the day on Sunday as the huge crowds were dispersing, the B-25D Mitchell from the Yankee Air Museum did several low level passes, and on the last run, it too "waggled" its wings in an emotional farewell to Willow Run. 

On 12.23.10 this week, a long and storied history comes to an end as the GM Willow Run Plant closes its doors. This ends a manufacturing era started by the Ford Motor Co. B-24 Liberator Plant and ending with GM Transmissions.  I've attached an article from today's AnnArbor.com which has links to various historical articles on the Plant.
http://www.annarbor.com/business-review/gm-willow-run-one-last-look-as-historic-manufacturing-plant-closes/

Thanks, Walt!  How you doing with the book?  As I refinished my study, I posted up this brief blurb to my fb friends.   The colored entries are for explanation along with the attached pic.   "I've just about completed putting my "refreshed" and "downsized" study back together. One shelf is devoted to "memories" from WR... Although it was "the people who made it what it was throughout its history," the few items I have remind me of it history and the small part I could play in it. Represented are the Military HumVee which in which was the 4L80E (my project for most of my final years before retirement); the B-24 Liberator, the most of which among the 5 assembly plants were made at WR (although the model I have displaying is a "D," it is a nice piece reminding me of the original "E's" from WR); and the THM 400, the "backbone" of the Hydra-Matic and Powertrain transmissions for many years."  The plant is now officially closed since 12.23.10.  It was a"nice ride" from the 6.16.41 dedication until its demise.