Button depicts a single-wing, twin-engine yellow and white plane and dark blue text over a light blue background.
YANK JUNIOR AIRPLANE SERIES RELIANCE MFG CO CHICAGO ILL.
In the early 1930s, Boeing Company developed bomber aircraft from its existing mailplane designs. The Y1B-9 and YB-9 were the first all-metal single-wing planes developed for the U.S. Army Air Corps. They featured open cockpits for the pilot and co-pilot, who doubled as the bombardier. Five Y1B-9A test planes were built, entering service in 1932. However, the more advanced Martin B-10 bomber prototype had already been flown, and the last of the Y1B-9As were phased out in 1935.
Boeing itself developed more advanced bombers such as the four-engine B-17 Flying Fortress and B-29 Superfortress that were used during World War II. In March 1944, Boeing workers were building 350 planes per month for the war effort. After the war, Boeing transitioned to building passenger aircraft. Boeing's models have included the 747 (1970), 777 (1994), and 787 Dreamliner (2009). William E. Boeing incorporated his aircraft company as the Pacific Aero Products Co. in Seattle, Washington in 1916.
This button is part of a larger set of 20 buttons, each with an illustration of a different airplane. They were originally given away by Yank Junior clothing with purchases.