Doolittle Raid Reunion and Largest B-25 Gathering

[mustangdriver]

http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/news/s ... =123177923

The NMUSAF is planning on landing 25 B-25's at the museum to celebrate the Doolittle Raid. They are going to use the runway at the museum. That will be awesome.

[Pat Carry]

Sounds great. I will have to make plans to be on hand for this.

[jet1]

....and confiscate.

[The Inspector]

Lots of pictures please!!!!

[spookythecat]

John Sessions made mention of taking "Grumpy" to a gathering in April. This must be it. Now to practice my stowaway abilities.

[spookythecat]

Just out of curiosity, which B-25's are currently flying or would be by then to make it?

1.Grumpy
2.Pacific Prowler
3.Miss Mitchell
4.Executive Sweet
5.Panchito
6.Doolittle Raiders/Special Delivery
7.Tondelayo
8.Barbie III
9.Hot Gen
10.Lady Luck
11.Martha Jean
12.Yankee Warrior
13.Briefing Time
14.Show Me
15.Yellow Rose
16.Maid In The Shade
17.Wild Cargo
18.Heavenly Body
19.Miss Hap

Last edited by spookythecat on Mon Nov 16, 2009 6:16 pm, edited 2 times in total.

[Warbird Kid]

What would be even cooler, is if the very few C/D models at the show were to have the temp paint applied to resemble the Doolittle B-25's.

-"Grumpy"
-"Yankee Warrior"
-"Miss Hap"-sans turret
-Hughes B-25?

Very interesting idea. Hope they get the 25 there shooting for. Even with some of the probable no shows there sure to have at least 16. This just might be a big enough reason for me to make it out to Dayton.

[mustangdriver]

....and confiscate.

Only if someone tries to sell the one in the museum.

[Warbird Kid]

....and confiscate.

Only if someone tries to sell the one in the museum.

I've never been to the museum and don't know how packed the aircraft are in the museum, but is it possible to see the museum's pseudo B-25B out on display next to the other ones? I'm assuming probably not since the aircraft is on its own display.

[mustangdriver]

I am going to say no just because it was one of the first aircraft placed in the building when they restacked it several years ago. It is at the other end from the doors and in the Hornet display. The B-25 on display at the NMUSAF is actually a D model that was restored to B standards for the Doolittle PR events and eventual display at Dayton. Doolittle flew this B-25 on more than one occassion.

[mustangdriver]

Chris, I hope you do make it out, I'd love the chance to meet up. Beers on me man

[Tim Savage]

Back in 2006 when the NMUSAF hosted the Raiders and I still had the -25, we offered to bring the airplane to the Museum or even just do some flybys of the base. We were turned down flat by the General. Wonder why the change of heart?

Either way, it sure would be neat site to see, but my guess is getting 25 to DAY at that time of year (if there are even really 25 operational at any one given time) is gonna be pretty tough.

[mustangdriver]

I hope they atleast get 18. I do agree that it would be awesome to see some painted in temporary markings of the Raiders. It would be great to see all of the B-25's stacked on the runway for a photo op similar to the way they were on the Hornet.
Tim remember that the runway at the museum is sort of at the hands of not the NMUSAF but the USAF. The museum has had many changes back and fourth about security since 9/11 and my guess is this may have been one of those things. Even our procedures for getting people to and from the Air Force one and R and D Hangars changes all of the time. One more reason that it will be nice once the R&D and Air Force One aircraft be in the new additon on the other side of the field, joined with the rest of the museum.

[warbird1]

Back in 2006 when the NMUSAF hosted the Raiders and I still had the -25, we offered to bring the airplane to the Museum or even just do some flybys of the base. We were turned down flat by the General. Wonder why the change of heart?

Either way, it sure would be neat site to see, but my guess is getting 25 to DAY at that time of year (if there are even really 25 operational at any one given time) is gonna be pretty tough.

I agree. Not to sound like a "debbie downer", but I don't think that is going to happen unless they get HUGE sponsorship. If they could get one of the large oil companies to donate a very small portion of their excesses of billions of dollars profit just for fuel for the aircraft, then it might happen, otherwise, I doubt it will. Since they plan on having this next April, isn't that kind of a late start to be advertising this and trying to get sponsorship?

I remember when the infamous "Gathering of Corsairs" happened in 2002, they heavily advertised that for what - about 2 years or so. It resulted in a lot of publicity. Back then before the show, they planned on having 30 Corsairs show up. Only 6 made it. I'm sure that Mint, who organized the event and posts here, can tell of the difficulties of getting numerous warbirds to show up at the same time. I fear the same will happen in this case.

Either way, I wish them the best and hope they make it happen. I would love to see a mini- "Catch 22" reunion of sorts with a large turnout.

[kzollitsch]

Well the following were at Detroit a few years back:

1. Pacific Prowler
2. Doolittle Raiders/Special Delivery
3. Killer Bee
4. Hobbes
5. Martha Jean
6. Take Off Time
7. Panchito
8. Lady Luck
9. Betty's Dream
10. Miss Mitchell
11. Axis Nightmare
12. Tondelayo
13. Briefing Time
14. Miss Hap
15. Yankee Warrior

Additionally from the East Coast and Midwest there are the following:
16. Show Me
17. Hot Gen
18. Yellow Rose
19. Barbie III (think this is East coast now?)
20. Wild Cargo
21. Devil Dog
22. Apache Princess

And West Coast:

23. Heavenly Body
24. Maid in the Shade
25. Executive Sweet
26. Grumpy
27. Photo Fanny
28. In the Mood

Seems like a hell of an undertaking, especially in April. Wish them the best though and if it pans out I'll try and make it there.

Edit: Added a couple more that I was reminded of.

Last edited by kzollitsch on Tue Nov 17, 2009 1:03 pm, edited 1 time in total.