Catch 22 B25 buried in Mexico ?

[aseanaero]

Catch-22 has become renowned for its role in saving the B-25 Mitchell aircraft type from a possible extinction.[8] The film's budget could only accommodate 17 flyable B-25 Mitchells, and an additional non-flyable hulk was acquired in Mexico, made barely ferry-able and flown with landing gear down to the Guaymas, Sonora, Mexico filming location.[5] The aircraft was burned and destroyed as part of the landing crash scene. The wreck was then buried in the ground next to the runway, where it remains to this day.[9]
For the film, mock upper turrets were installed, and to represent different models, several aircraft had the turrets installed behind the wings representing early (B-25C/D type) aircraft.[7] Initially, the camera ships also had the mock turrets installed, but problems with buffeting necessitated their removal.[10]

Many of the "Tallman Air Force" went on to have a career in films and television, before being sold off as surplus.[11] Fifteen of the 18 bombers used in the film still remain intact, including one on display at the Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum.[12]

From

http://www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catch-22_(film)

Could be a parts hunt for someone without being chased after in the jungle .... much closer to home

Last edited by aseanaero on Wed Apr 15, 2009 9:36 am, edited 2 times in total.

[davegnz]

From what I understand the Mexican B-25 was fully airworthy, but has some corrosion problems.

It was purchased locally and was not intended to be destroyed but the special effects people got a little out of control and after 5-6 takes the airframe was toasted (thu by todays standards could be restorable) and the airframe and many of the spare parts assembled for the filming were simply buried near the airfield

[aseanaero]

B-25N AAF 45-8843 XB-HEY "Catch-22" as "6S", no name; never Tallmantz; bought in Mexico for use in film; damaged beyond repair during filming and reportedly buried on site at Guaymas, Mexico.

http://www.aerovintage.com/ac_catch22.htm

The B25 bomber that lies burning after a "crash" was perfectly airworthy before that scene. It was suspended above a gasoline-filled pit in the ground. The gasoline was ignited and the cameras rolled. It was not planned that the plane should be severely damaged, but after a number of retakes it had turned to a wreck, and was buried on the spot. (Source: Aircraft magazines) - Olav Westerman

http://www.saunalahti.fi/frog1/trivia/triv-c.htm

Last edited by aseanaero on Wed Apr 15, 2009 9:33 am, edited 1 time in total.

[aseanaero]

The elevation of the airport is 27ft so corrosion maybe a big problem depending on the depth of the water table.