Warbird Information Exchange

OK, here's a Hyperthetical Question.

If an Australian buyer was to be successful in purchasing this, who could be trusted to wrap, pack and stack the aircraft and send it FOB across the pond?

Given the comments regarding its condition etc it sounds like a major project, what would be the best way to tackle such a restoration, sounds like a silly question, but are we talking about removing tail sections, total strip down or what?

any advice appreciated.


Peter

_________________
Peter
ESAD (E-Science and Digitalisation)

Pete

I hope you are not giving this any serious consideration?
We both know of a B-25C project in OZ that needs more attention but is at least a genuine combat veteran.

While even I thought I was up to date with the poor happenings on SR I had no idea about it being kept outside and water allowed to sit inside until someone happened along to let some of it out.
For the cost of buying this project and then getting it to the East coast and then getting it to someone who could do the work (only fella that comes to mind is Steve in Albury) it would be a better
option to restore the C model surely???

From the description given by Jack I would suggest double the trouble spoken of then you could be getting close to its real condition. My earlier description of it came from a friend in Dallas when I was there a few weeks ago and the subject
of Steve and his collection came up, along with MG's Wirraway and Fury etc. I was horrified to hear about the dealings around SR and I now suspect there is a lot more to its decline than people are letting on, and I know some people who visit
this forum know more about what happened etc but are keeping quiet about it. I guess what I am saying is walk away from this one and consider the others you have or are available to you, this one is not worth it.

SD

But the only b25 in Australia will never fly again so why get down on a possible project to get a flying project here?
Like many i didn't know about super rabbit being left out in the open till i talked to jack on face book,he also told me about the odd dealings as well.
A huge shame as Steve had a wonderful dream to get the collection flying(the a20 i was really looking forward to seeing as well as super rabbit).
i can only wish who ever ends up with super rabbit that they get her back where she belongs.

oz rb fan, there is more than one B-25 in Australia, you are correct in saying the Darwin heritage museum example will never fly, but there is another 2 examples of the type that could be combined to make a flyer.

My point was simply that if you are going to spend a lot of $$$ getting a poor example here then spend more $$$$ getting it back in the air, the return on your investment will be zip, most likely you will end up -ve in the pocket.

It seems more logical to me to spend the combined $$$$ on an example that is already here, operated here during WW2 with the NEI (which was made up of both Dutch and Australian crews) and could offer a better return on investment because

of its history etc. Many people know Pete has had poor health but I am not saying that should be the reason for walking away from SR, Pete has many irons in the fire with CAC Mustang, RAAF 4 x P-40's, Wirraway, B-24, Buffalo, spitfire and thats just what I can recall.

I can recall Pete was acting for a syndicate some time ago who were Adelaide based but were not interested in a long term project, perhaps he is revisiting that again, not sure, he'll let us know if he wants. I was just trying to point out the other option and yes, I am biased

towards the Australian version rather than something which appears more and more by the day as a totally unknown path to take. I agree with the A20 statement though, no issues there, but alas, its already been moved on.


SD

Don't become so risk adverse that nothing will ever get done.
A project that is complete is better than an incomplete project usually.
If a B-25 has spent time outdoors it will typically exhibit some corrosion some place in the airframe. Much of this is due to the heat treating process used when extrusions were shaped. Some is due to not everything was given a primer coat. It will vary from one A/C to another and some have been repaired, others are monitored. In many collections there isn't space to shelter a bomber in the hangar so they would sit out in the open.
Whats better, SR or the one put in the field in France not so long ago? There was a fuselage sold awhile back, is that the best place to start? Are the examples in Australia in better shape? More complete? Have engines that have at least run in this Century?
It is a complicated process and not for the feint of heart. Have a plan before you jump in, plan for the worse and have some good people lined up.
Maybe SR will become a static for a collection somewhere. It is at least a complete example.

_________________
Rich Palmer

Remember an Injured Youth
benstear.org
#64- Stay Strong and Keep the Faith

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ok shelldrake that i can understand didnt know there were other b25 project's in oz(would hang to see an 18sqn neif b25 fly....yep as a fellow aussie i'm a little biased my self)
but as rich has said this is a complete airframe,even with the need for a full rebuild it would be faster than a wreck(how many companies make new parts for b25's..has a spar ever been done since the last ones left the usaf service?)i'm also a little fond of super rabbit after reading jack's many tails.