Warbird Information Exchange

DISCLAIMER: The views expressed on this site are the responsibility of the poster and do not reflect the views of the management.
It is currently Thu Mar 28, 2024 5:24 am

All times are UTC - 5 hours


Classic Wings Magazine WWII Naval Aviation Research Pacific Luftwaffe Resource Center
When Hollywood Ruled The Skies - Volumes 1 through 4 by Bruce Oriss


Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 68 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5  Next
Author Message
PostPosted: Wed Aug 25, 2010 2:52 pm 
Offline
2000+ Post Club
2000+ Post Club
User avatar

Joined: Wed Jun 27, 2007 10:23 pm
Posts: 2319
Location: Atlanta, GA
Who would win and why? No real rules for this contest, it's just for fun and for learning what makes an authentic B-25. I haven't done the research, but I'll start off with some ideas and I bet some WIXers associated with these birds may chime in:

B-25B: Thinking of the RB-25D conversion at NMUSAF. Love the airplane but it's really not a "B", nor is it a "D" any longer. I do suspect, however, that this airplane is full of neat authenticity.

Actually, it's hard to compete for "Best B-25A, B, C, D, G, or H" because so few exist .... there's not much competition.

B-25J: These come to mind in no particular order: Betty's Dream, Briefing Time, Apache Princess, How Boot That? Lynn Hunt's project?

TB-25N: Any of these around, flying or static that are 1958 time capsules? I wonder what the insides of the B-25 perched outside the airport at KMKE looks like? Or the one formerly perched at Reese AFB (before it was converted for the Nimitz Museum)?

Speaking of time capsules, which airframe would earn Most Authentic because it wasn't touched vs. which is Most Authentic due to restoration efforts?

B-25 paparazzi, take over!

Ken

_________________
"Take care of the little things and the big things will take care of themselves."


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Wed Aug 25, 2010 3:05 pm 
Offline
Long Time Member
Long Time Member
User avatar

Joined: Sat Dec 02, 2006 9:10 am
Posts: 9715
Location: Pittsburgher misplaced in Oshkosh
The coolest fact on the NMUSAF's B-25 is that it was flown to the museum by Doolittle, Cole, and other crewmembers of crew #1.

I think my top 5 would be:

1) NMUSAF Doolitle B-25
2) Briefing Time
3) Betty's Dream
4) Wild Cargo
5) Show Me

This is by no means knocking any of the other B-25 museums or operators. To be honest all of the ones at the Doolittle Reunion will always hold a special place for me.

_________________
Chris Henry
EAA Aviation Museum Manager


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Wed Aug 25, 2010 3:11 pm 
Offline

Joined: Sat Apr 05, 2008 11:11 am
Posts: 170
Location: Switzerland
Finding a B-25 with an accurate historical finish, without a modern pinup and chrome everywhere is probably not an easy task.


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Wed Aug 25, 2010 3:14 pm 
Offline
Long Time Member
Long Time Member
User avatar

Joined: Wed Jan 24, 2007 1:54 am
Posts: 5116
Location: Stratford, CT.
I think Heavenly Body deserves a spot in that list somewhere. Never saw her in person but I've seen many pictures of her interior.

_________________
Keep Em' Flying,
Christopher Soltis

Dedicated to the preservation and education of The Sikorsky Memorial Airport

CASC Blog Page: http://ctair-space.blogspot.com/
Warbird Wear: https://www.redbubble.com/people/warbirdwear/shop

Chicks Dig Warbirds.......right?


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Wed Aug 25, 2010 3:16 pm 
Offline
1000+ Posts!
1000+ Posts!
User avatar

Joined: Wed Oct 03, 2007 3:22 pm
Posts: 1776
Location: Seattle
I haven't been in enough of them to even fathom a guess but I can bet once Paul Allen's is finished we'll have a winner.

_________________
-Al Sauer
http://www.flickr.com/photos/spookythecat


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Wed Aug 25, 2010 3:30 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Thu Feb 22, 2007 4:15 pm
Posts: 789
Location: CAF SoCal Wing Camarillo, CA
Just my two cents.

Heavenly Body, which I have gone through many times, has to be on the list.

Paul Allen’s, which I have also seen, if completed as originally intended will be THE most authentic of them all. Also when considering “authentic” you must consider the post WWII Hayes mods.

Dan

PS: I guess we know who has the most authentic PBJ.

_________________
Check out our new website.
CAF SoCal Wing http://www.cafsocal.com/


Image


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Wed Aug 25, 2010 3:37 pm 
Offline
Long Time Member
Long Time Member
User avatar

Joined: Sat Dec 02, 2006 9:10 am
Posts: 9715
Location: Pittsburgher misplaced in Oshkosh
Well shoot Dan, it already is the most authentic PBJ. :)

_________________
Chris Henry
EAA Aviation Museum Manager


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Wed Aug 25, 2010 3:55 pm 
Offline
1000+ Posts!
1000+ Posts!
User avatar

Joined: Mon Dec 25, 2006 10:21 pm
Posts: 1325
Location: Dallas TX
How Boot That? Hands down...

_________________
Taylor Stevenson


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Wed Aug 25, 2010 4:16 pm 
Offline

Joined: Sat Apr 05, 2008 11:11 am
Posts: 170
Location: Switzerland
"...but I can bet once Paul Allen's is finished we'll have a winner."

Sure.


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Wed Aug 25, 2010 5:11 pm 
Offline
3000+ Post Club
3000+ Post Club
User avatar

Joined: Thu Apr 27, 2006 2:10 pm
Posts: 3185
Location: New York
With respect, the NMUSAF's B-25 should go directly to the bottom of any list of B-25s ranked by authenticity. Personally I do not consider the fact that it was flown to the museum by Doolittle et al. cool or even interesting, but regardless, it has no bearing on the plane's authenticity.

We've been discussing Briefing Time on the other thread. I recall when BT appeared at Oshkosh in 1980, it drew a crowd and a lot of attention with the consensus that it raised the bar for B-25 restorations. It should have been a contender for grand champ that year; don't know whether it actually was in the running. The other B-25 that was trumpeted as setting a new standard of authenticity at about that time was Executive Sweet; however, much of that trumpeting was by Air Classics so perhaps should have been discounted.

Nowadays I suppose BT has been surpassed, and of course the revelation that the neutral gray should be natural metal would be a deal breaker for the paint scheme buffs. Too bad; in 1980, that was almost the only warbird painted in accurate shades of olive drab and neutral gray.

I've been impressed by the Collings and Weeks B-25s and, a little less so but still substantially, by Panchito, How Boot That, and Miss Mitchell. Haven't had a look at Lewis'. Right off the top, those would be the outstanding B-25s that occur to me.

I would have preferred that Proud Mary, now Miss Hap, be left in Hap Arnold VIP transport configuration, and that Yankee Warrior be kept in the RCAF transport configuration that Glenn Lamont had her in. But I understand the motivation to convert back to bombers.

August


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Wed Aug 25, 2010 5:19 pm 
Offline
3000+ Post Club
3000+ Post Club

Joined: Fri Jun 24, 2005 7:26 pm
Posts: 4961
Location: PA
Miss HAP is my fav. Because she is an early version.

_________________
Shop the Airplane Bunker At
www.warbirdbunker.com


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Wed Aug 25, 2010 5:24 pm 
Offline
1000+ Posts!
1000+ Posts!
User avatar

Joined: Sun Feb 18, 2007 12:39 pm
Posts: 1817
Location: Irving, Texas
Miss Mitchell

Authentic:
Paint scheme (documented)
Nose art (documented and painted by original artist)
Correct Bendix turret
Correct armament
Cabin heaters removed

Non-authentic:
Hayes modified engine nacelles
16G pilot seats
Modern radio antennas
Modern flight instruments


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Wed Aug 25, 2010 5:31 pm 
Offline
Long Time Member
Long Time Member
User avatar

Joined: Sat Dec 02, 2006 9:10 am
Posts: 9715
Location: Pittsburgher misplaced in Oshkosh
August, You don't feel that the fact that Doolittle and gang flew the plane at all cool? It is the closest to a Doolittle Raider as you are going to get unless someone restores the B in storage as a Doolitle raider. You mention the Collings Foundation B-25, which is also one that I enjoy, and spent many hours with. But it is not correct either.

_________________
Chris Henry
EAA Aviation Museum Manager


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Wed Aug 25, 2010 6:48 pm 
Offline
1000+ Posts!
1000+ Posts!
User avatar

Joined: Sun Oct 07, 2007 5:31 pm
Posts: 1332
Location: Galveston County
I vote Yellow Rose for several reasons:

1. I get to see her in the air, and up close and personal in hangars, often, and this has been going on for years and years and years. And that's a pretty good reason right there.

2. Every time I walk up to her, the nose compartment looks so authentic with equipment and guns and ammo belts and crap all over. Just a wonderful overall effect. She really exudes the war weary, battle hardened veteran look with grace and elegance.

3. The paint job and markings make her instantly recognizable in any busy airshow. Who needs a tramp stamp?

4. She's a true modern-day warrior. Maybe it'd be interesting to see which B-25's have the most "airshow missions" racked up to date? Bet old Rose would be right on up there, if not at the very top.

_________________
Cheers,
Kurt Maurer
League City, Texas

PIC, Ford 6600 pulling Rhino batwing up and down the runway


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Wed Aug 25, 2010 9:50 pm 
Offline
3000+ Post Club
3000+ Post Club
User avatar

Joined: Sun Nov 27, 2005 10:51 pm
Posts: 4663
Location: Cheshire, CT
NEAM's B-25H "Dog Daize". Totally original inside. all racks, ammo chutes, shell discharge chute and spring loaded doors, life raft compartment etc.
Never civilianized.
Jerry

_________________
"Always remember that, when you enter the ocean or the forest, you are no longer at the top of the food chain."


Top
 Profile  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 68 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5  Next

All times are UTC - 5 hours


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: Google [Bot] and 77 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Search for:
Jump to:  
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group