B-25 fire bomber videos

[T J Johansen]

I just found these videos of B-25s used as fire bombers in Canada (G&M or Nothwestern Air Lease???) and thought they were pretty cool. Can't remember seeing any posts of them earlier either.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=niyWNxkRlQs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EfWfgNX1qdM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJAZLlydSXc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxA8UzaZ8vY

T J

[Jerry O'Neill]

Great Video.
I'm assuming that with the date of 1991 on the videos that these three B-25's are still with us somewhere.
Any idea where they are now?
Jerry

[gary1954]

Concur with you Jerry, I would like to know where they are now also

[Consul]

At least two of these G&M B-25s were re-registered in the US and flown down to Chino when later withdrawn from fire bombing. I recall photographing them there when I was on a visit from my home over here in England. One of the B-25s had by then already been restored to military configuration and scheme, the other still retained its yellow civilian scheme and Canadian fire fighting code number - but has since also been put back to military colours.

It's a shame that more aircraft that did such a wonderful job in their fire-bombing days can't be preserved in that configuration and colour as a reminder of the diverse rolls and capability of these piston types;
but inevitably owners (who pay the bucks so have every right to do what they want) wish see them in more iconic wartime schemes.

I know there are a few fire-bombers preserved as static examples but I don't know of any in the preservation movement retained in active condition as water or retardant bombers (and I'm not counting those still working such as the Mars).

Great video BTW!

Tim

[Warbird Kid]

One of those three has to be Betty's Dream!