Warbird Information Exchange

Ah, so there is a possibility for a "B" resurrection. Looks like most of the fuselage at least. Better than starting with just a data plate!

Yes, most of the B-specific parts are available from what I heard.

Ryan

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Aerial Photographer with Red Wing Aerial Photography currently based at KRBD and tailwheel CFI.
Websites: Texas Tailwheel Flight Training, DoolittleRaid.com and Lbirds.com.

The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD. - Prov. 21:31 - Train, Practice, Trust.

A few years ago I spoke to Carl Scholl at length about this airplane, and what they don't have on hand they can reverse engineer back to B standard. When it "arrives" I think it'll be a pretty amazing airplane.

Speaking of the B-25B model, does the tail skid retract on it or is it just a spring loaded skid that sticks down in flight? I have yet to find a good photo of it?!? Inquiring minds want to know

I wish that the NMUSAF would restore that B-25 for the collection and return the one in the collection to flight. It would be more historic to have a B model and one that shared the assembly line with Doolittle's aircraft. The one in the collection did some flying in the raider markings for a reunion before coming to the museum. North American converted it back to a B from D standards.

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Chris Henry
EAA Aviation Museum Manager

The D/B on display has more meaning to the Museum because Gen. Doolittle made the delivery flight. As far as the B model project I'm torn on whether it should be a flyer or a static display. A flyable B would be an incredible airshow attraction. It would have the possibility of being seen by millions of people vs. a static display which people would have to travel to see. It is however the ONLY B in existance.


Tim

The average airshow crowd wouldn't know the difference between a B-25B and a C, D, or J. That is my main reason for saying that it should be restored as static. It is the Only one left. There is a C model and a D model that already fly.

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Chris Henry
EAA Aviation Museum Manager

There's a flying C model?

Chris,

Well have to agree to disagree this time. I would eventually like to see this one flying. Oh, and you never know when someone may find enough remains to have another B for static.
I say let someone restore this one to flying condition, and then eventually retire it to a museum. As long as it's flown conservatively with good maintenance, it should last a while and it's gonna get better TLC if someone with $$$ makes the effort to get it on the airshow circuit. I just wish it could be done while we still have some of the Raiders left with us who could ride in it.

Ryan

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Aerial Photographer with Red Wing Aerial Photography currently based at KRBD and tailwheel CFI.
Websites: Texas Tailwheel Flight Training, DoolittleRaid.com and Lbirds.com.

The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD. - Prov. 21:31 - Train, Practice, Trust.

the same thing could be said about a certain B-17, but the AF seemed to think it mattered.

YOu actually just helped prove my point. The general airshow crowd doesn't understand that the real Memphis Belle is not the ex-firebomber that is flying around. Most don't know the differences between a B-17F or a G. Of course it doesn't help when the people that work at a certain aircraft are telling others that it is the real Belle either. As for the Swoose it is famous for being the Swoose, and it's the only surviving D model so it is being restored as static.

As for B-25's we have Miss Hap which is the oldest flying B-25 ( I thought it was an early C model, but it is even older than that), and we have Yankee Warrior a D/C model. There is some confusion on this when I was there talking to them as to which it really is. I can't rememer the whole story. If it is the last of it's type then I say go static. Maybe give it to the NASM and get the one they have back into the air.

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Chris Henry
EAA Aviation Museum Manager

Mis Hap, is the 4th Production Model of the B-25.
She is a true B-25.
The B-25A commenced at the 10th production model of the B-25type aircraft so yes, she is the "Oldest and Only" flying true "B-25".
With Regard to the B-25D on display at the NAFM. Back in 1958, it cost , 95 or 98,000 dollars to refit this F-10 model to "resemble" Lt. General Doolittles B-25B. I am at work now and don't have the documents in front of me.
She was flown from Inglewood with the D model exhaust stacks as she is seen today.
The engineers and workers at North American way back then, provided the Air Force Museum, with the exhaust system components and cowlings packed into the D model, to make the D model look for all outward appearances, a B model.
After 50 years, who knows where the stuff got off to.
just my two cents.

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Kind Regards,
Gary Lewis
J.A.F.O.

Doesn't look like too much left to me... I wonder if the USAFM would trade a P-82 for it?

Wow!! That is pretty cool. I did not know that.

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Chris Henry
EAA Aviation Museum Manager

Actually, the B-25D that's in the USAFM was modified and used as an F-10 s/n 43-3374
( http://www.b25.net/pages/dooraid.html ) making it a doubly rare bird. The pilot (I think) of that particular aircraft during WWII actually attended the Doolittle Raiders reunion this year in San Antonio!
And I still think that the B-model should be restored to flying status and taken on the circuit... Also that it should be based somewhere in TX.

Ryan

_________________
Aerial Photographer with Red Wing Aerial Photography currently based at KRBD and tailwheel CFI.
Websites: Texas Tailwheel Flight Training, DoolittleRaid.com and Lbirds.com.

The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD. - Prov. 21:31 - Train, Practice, Trust.