Warbird Information Exchange

I was in an extremely privileged position of having traveled with a couple warbird guys out to this year's Planes of Fame air show, and got to visit AeroTrader and meet Carl and Tony who own the company and the storage compound, who have been well acquainted for many years with one of my travel companions and friends, through B-25 restorations. We were expressly invited to go out there and have a tour of the compound, which was about a three hour drive from where we were staying (just outside of Chino). In early May when we were out there, it was already 102-degrees, in the shade. A phone call was required ahead of time so that the guy who lives on the property year-long and keeps an eye on things (who is related to Carl) would know of our arrival. There is also a police deputy that happens to live on the property throughout the year. You cannot see anything from the road (78), and where it is located, you're right at the line where the boarder patrol monitors (when we were out there, there was a board-patrol truck that went by on the road, back and forth, several times throughout the day, keeping an eye on any illegals trying to come north).

I'm not allowed to post photos, but if all you need is confirmation, I can confirm that there are two complete B-29 airframes in storage there, disassembled, including both front nose sections.

John,

[u]Thank you [u] for the most comprehensive insight into the Aero Trader operation out there. I really appreciate yours and the others' responses. You are indeed one lucky guy to have been to view the compound, I envy you!

Greg

Powered parasail time?

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DBF

John, sorry for sliding off topic, but did you get a chance to give B-25B 40-2347 a good going over? Always wondered why no one has ever wanted to buy it and restore it as the only B-model and second-oldest surviving Mitchell.
As to the B-29s, at $1.7 million I don't see anyone buying into that project soon, unless Paul Allen decides he wants one.

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All right, Mister Dorfmann, start pullin'!
Pilot: "Flap switch works hard in down position."
Mechanic: "Flap switch checked OK. Pilot needs more P.T." - Flight report, TB-17G 42-102875 (Hobbs AAF)

I did get a good look at the B-25B (something like 3-serials away from the one Doolittle flew) and the C. We were told that all of the drawings/information is on hand to restore it exactly in the same configuration with all of the modifications as one of the Doolittle Raid examples, if someone would desire as such. It would be a tremendous investment to have restored/flying, much more so I'd imagine than purchasing an already flying B-25, but it would certainly set itself apart from all other flying Mitchells. The B-model only consists of the fuselage (and perhaps tail), while the C-model is more complete, with wings/nacelles, etc. (disassembled).

John,

Thanks for some great first-hand info!

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Dean Hemphill, K5DH
Port Charlotte, Florida

I know what I'm doing when I hit the lottery.

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