Catch-22 aircraft

Wed Jan 09, 2008 12:46 pm

Looking for information on the Catch-22 aircraft - have listed the information I already have but looking to complete the list - missing some of the tail codes, which names went with certain aircraft, and which aircraft were made to look like B-25C/D's (turret placeed in rear). I also heard that the s/n painted on the tails was the n-numbers / any confermation (if not what numbers were painted)

* * *

B-25H-1NA 43-4432 (NL90399) 6N Berlin Express, Camouflage, B-25J, EAA museum
B-25H-1NA 43-4513 (N1203) 6A, Olive Drab B-25J Camera Ship
B-25J-5NC 43-28204 (N9856C) 6?, B-25? Aero Traders
B-25J-5NC 43-28925 (N7687C) 6E Tokyo Express, B-25J, Cavanaugh Flight Museum
B-25J-20NC 44-29366 (N9115Z) 6M, B-25?, Bomber Command Museum
B-25J-20NC 44-29887 (N10564) 6Y Luscious Lulu, B-25?, NASM
B-25J-25NC 44-29939 (N9456Z) 6C, Camouflage, B-25J Mid-Atlantic Museum
B-25J-25NC 44-30077 (N2849C) 6Q The Denver Dumper , Olive Drab, B-25J, Aero Trader
B-25J-25NC 44-30493 (N9451Z), 6? Dumbo, Olive Drab, B-25J, Malmstrom AFB
B-25J-25NC 44-30649 (N2452Z), 6?, B-25?, Maxwell AFB
B-25J-25NC 44-30748 (N3447G), 6? Miss Renee B-25? Van Nuyes, CA
B-25J-25NC 44-30801 (N3699G), 6? Vestal Virgin Olive Drab B-25J, Challenge Publications
B-25J-25NC 44-30823 (N1042B), 6? (nude on bomb), Olive Drab, B-25J, Camera Ship
B-25J-30NC 44-30925 (N9494Z), 6B Laiden Maiden , Desert Tan, B-25J, Brussels Air Museum
B-25J-30NC 44-31032 (N3174G), 6D Free, Fast and Ready, B-25, Now at March AFB
B-25J-30NC 44-86701 (N7681C), 6?, B-25?, Destroyed – Hanger Fire
B-25J-30NC 44-86843 (N3507G), 6? Passionette Paulette, B-25?, Now at Grisson AFB
B-25J-35NC 44-8843 (XB-HEY), 6?, Olive Drab, B-25?, Destroyed/buried Guernas Airfield

Other know names were: Booby Trap, Hot Pants, Annzas, Superman, & aBominable Snowman.

Wed Jan 09, 2008 2:44 pm

N1042B flies today as the J.L. Terry Foundation's Pacific Prowler. Here she is off our left wingtip returning from the CAF DFW Wing's fly-in at Lancaster, TX:

Cheers!

Wed Jan 09, 2008 11:19 pm

B-25H-1NA 43-4432 (NL90399) 6N Berlin Express, Camouflage, B-25J, EAA museum
B-25H-1NA 43-4513 (N1203) 6A, Olive Drab B-25J Camera Ship
rear turret

B-25J-5NC 43-28204 (N9856C) 6?, B-25? Aero Traders
B-25J-5NC 43-28925 (N7687C) 6E Tokyo Express, B-25J, Cavanaugh Flight Museum
B-25J-20NC 44-29366 (N9115Z) 6M, B-25?, Bomber Command Museum
Hot Pants
B-25J-20NC 44-29887 (N10564) 6Y Luscious Lulu, B-25?, NASM
B-25J-25NC 44-29939 (N9456Z) 6C, Camouflage, B-25J Mid-Atlantic Museum
B-25J-25NC 44-30077 (N2849C) 6Q The Denver Dumper , Olive Drab, B-25J, Aero Trader
B-25J-25NC 44-30493 (N9451Z), 6? Dumbo, Olive Drab, B-25J,
Malmstrom AFB
6V

B-25J-25NC 44-30649 (N2452Z), 6?, B-25?, Maxwell AFB
B-25J-25NC 44-30748 (N3447G), 6? Miss Renee B-25? Van Nuyes, CA
B-25J-25NC 44-30801 (N3699G), 6? Vestal Virgin Olive Drab B-25J, Challenge Publications
B-25J-25NC 44-30823 (N1042B), 6? (nude on bomb), Olive Drab, B-25J, Camera Ship
B-25J-30NC 44-30925 (N9494Z), 6B Laiden Maiden , Desert Tan, B-25J, Brussels Air Museum
B-25J-30NC 44-31032 (N3174G), 6D Free, Fast and Ready, B-25, Now at March AFB
B-25J-30NC 44-86701 (N7681C), 6?, B-25?, Destroyed – Hanger Fire
B-25J-30NC 44-86843 (N3507G), 6? Passionette Paulette, B-25?, Now at Grisson AFB
B-25J-35NC 44-8843 (XB-HEY), 6?, Olive Drab, B-25?, Destroyed/buried Guernas Airfield

I don't think there was a Miss Renee, I don't have many of the tail shoot, just the nose art

Thu Jan 10, 2008 8:10 am

Check Out this interview with Director John Landis, where He talks about being an intern on the set of "CATCH 22".

Beleve it or not He QUIT because He didn't like working with the B-25's (!!!!!!!!)

Obviously not a Warbird Fan: :evil:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bjBAez9cm4&NR=1

All those awesome Original "CATCH-22" A2 Jackets were stolen from the Western Costume Rental Company after filming...

It's now available on DVD at Amazon.com for just $4.50 .... Digger

Thu Jan 10, 2008 9:39 am

Dave,

I would highly recommend you purchase a copy of Scott Thompson's, B-25 Mitchell in Civil Service, available here: http://www.aerovintage.com/catalog.htm
It's a great addition to anyones library.

The book has seven pages dedicated to Catch-22 and according to the book yes, once the aircraft arrived in Mexico the 'N' of the registration was replaced with a '0,' '3,' or '4.'

Thu Jan 10, 2008 10:03 am

43-4513 should be 43-4643 Reference Warbirds Directory 4. (43-4513 ran off strip landing, New Britain 9/7/44. Still in situ, derelict)

43-28925 should be 44-28925 (43-28924 was a P-38J-15-LO)

44-8843 should be 45-8843 (43-8843 was Lockheed/Vega B-17G-85-VE)

I also used Scott Thompsons "B-25s in Civil Service" and his Aero Vintage website.

Thanks for all the info you posted. I hope you can find the other names and 6s and tie them to the B-25s. When you do please post them.

bill word

Thu Jan 10, 2008 10:52 am

Craig59 wrote:Dave,

I would highly recommend you purchase a copy of Scott Thompson's, B-25 Mitchell in Civil Service, available here: http://www.aerovintage.com/catalog.htm
It's a great addition to anyones library.

The book has seven pages dedicated to Catch-22 and according to the book yes, once the aircraft arrived in Mexico the 'N' of the registration was replaced with a '0,' '3,' or '4.'

Thanks, Ordered.

Now we just need one on A-26 in Civies.

Fri Jan 11, 2008 12:00 am

44-30801 was 6K, "Vestal Virgin" , its currently N30801 "Executive Sweet" owned by the American Aeronautical Foundation, Camarillo,Ca

Fri Jan 11, 2008 12:47 pm

OK now by Tail Code

43-4643 6A
44-30925 6B Laiden Maiden
44-29939 6C
44-31032 6D Free, Fast and Ready
44-28925 6E Tokyo Express
44-30801 6K Vestal Virgin
44-29366 6M Hot Pants
43-4432 6N Berlin Express
44-30077 6Q The Denver Dumper
44-30493 6V Dumbo
44-29887 6Y Luscious Lulu
44-30823 6? (nude on bomb)
44-30748 6? Miss Renee
44-86843 6? Passionette Paulette
43-28204 6?
44-30649 6?
44-86701 6?
45-8843 6?

***
pictures of 429887 as Miss Renee:

http://www.b25.net/pages/b25ferryvny.html

Was she Miss Renee in Camouflage scheme or just M&M airforce??

http://www.b25.net/pages/catch22.html

and in Camouflage:

http://www.b25.net/pages/b25s-camouf.html

One aircraft marked 6H taxies by but can not catch tail number or name - so far have 11 out of 18 - still trying to get the N-number replacement digit for each.

Fri Jan 11, 2008 12:47 pm

OK now by Tail Code

43-4643 6A
44-30925 6B Laiden Maiden
44-29939 6C
44-31032 6D Free, Fast and Ready
44-28925 6E Tokyo Express
44-30801 6K Vestal Virgin
44-29366 6M Hot Pants
43-4432 6N Berlin Express
44-30077 6Q The Denver Dumper
44-30493 6V Dumbo
44-29887 6Y Luscious Lulu
44-30823 6? (nude on bomb)
44-30748 6? Miss Renee
44-86843 6? Passionette Paulette
43-28204 6?
44-30649 6?
44-86701 6?
45-8843 6?

***
pictures of 429887 as Miss Renee:

http://www.b25.net/pages/b25ferryvny.html

Was she Miss Renee in Camouflage scheme or just M&M airforce??

http://www.b25.net/pages/catch22.html

and in Camouflage:

http://www.b25.net/pages/b25s-camouf.html

One aircraft marked 6H taxies by but can not catch tail number or name - so far have 11 out of 18 - still trying to get the N-number replacement digit for each.

Fri Jan 11, 2008 3:08 pm

Dave,

I searched my library and came up with the following from photographs they contain:

From, Flying the Old Planes, by Frank Tallman:

43-4432 was registered as N10V and painted as 6N, 410V.
6B flying as “Passionate Paulette” (cannot discern ‘N’ #)
6I flying as “Laden Maiden” not 6B as your documentation shows (cannot discern ‘N’ #)
6K possibly “Miss Renee” (photo very grainy and cannot discern ‘N’ #)
6W possibly N9452Z (your data shows N2452Z) (photo very grainy) Aft mounted top turret.

From, When Hollywood Ruled the Skies, by Bruce W. Orriss:

6B flying as “Passionate Paulette.” 3507G appears to be preceded with a ‘0.’
6W possibly N9452Z with ‘N’ possibly painted over as ‘3.’ Aft mounted top turret and not painted as “Dumbo.”.
6D with ‘N’ possibly painted over with a ‘0.’ (03174G)
6V flying as “Dumbo.” (cannot discern ‘N’ #)

From, B-25 Mitchell in Civil Service, by Scott Thompson:

6N as “Berlin Express,” 410V
44-8843 (XB-HEY) as 6B and an ‘N’ number beginning with 40…
44-30493 (N9451Z) as 6V and an ‘N’ number 39451Z (see note)
44-30649 (N9452Z) (your data shows N2452Z). Marked as 6V and 39452Z (see note)

NOTE: These last two photographs are very clear - the first shows the right vertical stabilizer/rudder and the second the left vertical stabilizer/rudder. The ‘N’ numbers are quite clear and yet they both carry the 6V code. In the background of the first photo can be seen a 6W code on another B-25. The rudder of yet another B-25 is blocking the fuselage making it impossible to tell whether this 6V has the aft mounted top-turret but, it does have an upper antenna not found in the second photograph. Also the B-25 in the second photograph has the upper Plexiglas of the tail turret painted OD while the first B-25 does not. The nose cannot be seen in either photograph to tell if either is marked as”Dumbo.” So, it appears there was some trading of code ID’s going on with at least 9451Z and 9452Z. For what it’s worth, photos show that both codes 6V and 6W had aft mounted top turrets.

The photographic evidence is definitely available. Unfortunately, it is poorly reproduced in the first two volumes mentioned above. Good Luck!

Fri Jan 11, 2008 4:05 pm

I suggest that someone also look up Jim Farmer's excellent article in Air Classics, I think December 1970 (has a natural metal finish B-25H on the cover) as it also has a good listing with nose art and tail codes. I'd do it myself but I'm away from home right now.

Fri Jan 11, 2008 5:56 pm

Look again Craig, I think both photos of 6V in "B-25 Mitchell in Civil Service" are N9452Z. See Pages 35 & 39. Correct me if I am wrong.
bill word

Fri Jan 11, 2008 6:14 pm

Hi Bill,

Well, I don't know know for certain, just stating what I'm seeing.

The B-25 on page 39 has 39451Z on the right vert stab/rudder. There's an antenna atop the fuselage. Also note that the top plexiglass of the tail gunners position is clear.

Now look at the B-25 on page 35. The left vert stab/rudder has 39452Z with the number 9 having some fading problems in it's upper right corner but, still clearly a nine. Note the abscence of the antenna and also note that the tail gunners position upper plexiglas (or the aluminum skin replacement) is painted OD.

I hope Dave can iron-out all the wrinkles :lol:

Fri Jan 11, 2008 6:31 pm

Craig I stand corrected, you are right. After watching the movie and pausing and zooming I read N9856C as 6G. It is in the opening take-off scene.
bill word
formerly from deep in the heart of TEXAS.

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