A B-25 Mitchell is coming to Australia

[Liberator]

I have the pleasure to announce that in 2015, a B-25 Mitchell bomber, is all going well once the deal is finalised, to be imported into Australia.

At this stage I have no idea what B-25 type/model, who owned it or where it is coming from and whether it is flying or static candidate.
I will be able to advise more when the purchaser is ready to tell me more of their plans.

It is a beginning I am told of a few more very significant aircraft imports to happen over the next year all going well. The types are known to have flown in WW2 and possibly have a direct connection to Australia. What these types are I am not told at this stage but I am told when it happens I will be able to pass on more details to enthusiasts.

[Lightning]

Wasn't by chance a certain person by the name of Peter Smythe, that purchased Lucky Lady ?

Lightning

[Jack Cook]

have the pleasure to announce that at this stage I have no idea what B-25 type/model, who owned it or where it is coming from and whether it is flying or static candidate.

It's a secret but what I can tell you is that I really don't know anything!

[RobC]

One man's B-25 coming to country A is another man's leaving country B.

Hopefully it is the VA crapwagon in which case it does not matter.

[Speeddemon651]

One man's B-25 coming to country A is another man's leaving country B.

Hopefully it is the VA crapwagon in which case it does not matter.

WOW...

[Digger]

Yes WOW indeed, since my name has been linked to this I feel I have a right of response.

One poster to this announcement has referred to the B-25's in Storage in Darwin, a look at the Aerovintage page re B-25 news will give everyone a pretty good understanding of what we have here in Australia regarding the B-25.
I can state that I have personally not purchased a B-25 but I have played an active role in researching a suitable candidate to bring to Australia for display in the Southern and Eastern States of Australia - including FNQ.
The decision to purchase the B-25 was made by a third party however I remain involved to oversee its importation and communicate with others here in Australia who have done this very same thing before.

As to the condition of the aircraft I simply say this, when conducting research into such purchases a level of 'realistic' expectations must be maintained, as this is an investment for the longer term and not an investment
for financial return, an assessment of what is available needs to be made.

Candidates such as any in the NT or WA are way too buried in administrative nightmare to consider, PNG is another nightmare but
from a different perspective and so places like England and the US have been the subject of numerous enquiries over a number of years.

It is hoped this B-25 will be a static display alongside the A-26 which is regularly reported on and therefore add a new dimension to warbirds here in Australia.

Its an unfortunate thing that whenever my name appears linked to Warbird purchases I find myself needing to explain, not here but to others in places of government the how, why, where and whens of my private life interests.
If this purchase has upset anyone all I can say is get over it. I look forward to working with the majority of Warbirders who have a healthy positive
outlook to any efforts to ensure the efforts of our veterans are remembered. Here in Australia we had both
RAAF and Dutch units using the B-25 and of course USAAF units operated them here as well. It is hoped to focus on that
Dutch link of our WW2 history that seems to have been forgotten or ignored.

I hope to continue to play an active role for this B-25 and future recommended acquisitions. If anyone has a crapwagon in the form of an A-20 we would be most interested to here from you.

regards

[RobC]

For the record, crapwagon referred to a particular airplane which had performed well-documented custodial service for the resident aviary population - as seen on WIX. I had no prior knowledge of what airplane Daniel/Phil/Liberator/Bunky was referring to, nor any particular individual's involvement in said airplane.

P.s. Don't order the squab.

[Liberator]

So we now wait for the next stage of this pending project, when ever that may happen.
May then we can all find out what aircraft this is and its status?.

Im sure some magazines would love to cover the story.

[Coert Munk]

...a more than interesting project, Digger!

[Digger]

For the record, crapwagon referred to a particular airplane which had performed well-documented custodial service for the resident aviary population - as seen on WIX. I had no prior knowledge of what airplane Daniel/Phil/Liberator/Bunky was referring to, nor any particular individual's involvement in said airplane.P.s. Don't order the squab

Hmmmm.......let me consider this, a mountain of bird poop vs exposure to swamps, scrub fires, theft (via salvagers and vandals) and the general damaged caused by the initial crash or dumping.

whats wrong with the squab?

Hi Coert, yes, the NEIAF / RAAF connection is a very unique story and well worth telling, so lets hope the plan can follow this intended path

[Liberator]

The importation of the planned B-25 Mitchell will ideally help fill the big history "gap" which is currently in place. The aircraft will make many more people aware that the B-25 was in service down under during WW2. Promotion and education will be one way to ensure this gap issue is addressed. Most of the general Australian war history currently overlooks the B-25's service role and this results in people instead focusing on fighters or more the popular/common themes of heavy/medium bombers.

So many people are not aware or know that RAAF 2 Sqn operating with NEFI 18 Sqn had over 50 aircraft pass through the units during WW2.
Some more info can be seen here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No._18_%28 ... adron_RAAF and
https://www.airforce.gov.au/raafmuseum/ ... s2/A47.htm and http://www.raafwarbirds.org.au/aircraft.htm

[Hemiman]

One has to remember the 3rd's initial group of -25's were begged/borrowed/stolen ( whatever floats your boat) from the Dutch.

[David J Burke]

Sort of makes you wonder why the AWM disposed of B-25 VH-XXV all those years ago!

[OZFURYFAN]

David, I think there is a bit of history there!! From what I have heard the B-25 was offered here and whilst some groups were in the process of making an offer the AWM announced it had already been sold overseas, pls dont take this as gospel as I'm sure someone will chime in with all the facts, will be good to see a B-25 back in the air here, Pete

[Invader26]

The AWM reneged on a first right of refusal that the original operators had that brought that B-25 to Australia. Part of the sale agreement to the AWM was that a/ it would never be sold and b/ if somehow that it was, then they would have the first right of refusal. Also another Australian syndicate made a higher bid that the Chino mob but this was refused. The sale was a scandal and a farce.

Great to hear that we will recover one again. The B-25 was up there as a significant aircraft for the Pacific war operated by RAAF, Dutch [under RAAF control and about 70% manned by RAAF] as well as US forces..