Warbird Information Exchange

WIXers in the PHX area. I was at Falcon Field a few days ago and noticed that B-25H Barbie III is giving rides. That 75mm in the nose would surely be a bad omen if you were on a japanese ship or anything japanese in front of it! Here's a link to a picture http://www.airliners.net/open.file/242829/L/

The B-25 is quite a long way from its home base here in metro Chicago!

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Ain't no sunshine when she's gone!

I went by Gene Packards shop today at Falcon Field and Barbie III is undergoing some maintenance there. The number 1 engine has nos 2 & 9 cylinders removed.

I went by Packards again today and new cylinders are on and it should be ready to go by Saturday. Good News.

Sounds like fun... by chance did you happen to ask how much for how long
of a ride? I know its expensive.. just wondering if its similar to what the
B-17 rides are going for like collins or EAA. I always wanted a ride in the
b-25...

hh

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"The best way to control the future is to create it".

Hi Henning

Once they get the winter maintenance finished ~ the Yankee Air Force will be offering rides this year with their B-25D ~ Yankee Warrior

An added bonus with this airplane ~ it flew combat missions with the 340th BG out of Corsica in 1944

I took a ride during the Thunder Over Michigan airshow ~ awesome !

Contact details for B-25 flights ~
call (734) 546-8005 or
E-Mail to b25flights@yankeeairmuseum.org.
Each seat is $400.00

I am interested in the comment about the 75mm Cannon armed B-25 being used against Japanese shipping. Was it also employed in Europe for the same thing.

I recall a discussion with one old bloke years back who had been a loader of these weapons and claimed that he was part of a crew/unit that attacked German Channel Sea Forts, coastal defences and shipping.

Does anyone have more details on these operations?

As far as I can determine, the only USAAF group using cannon-armed Mitchells in Europe was the 310th, which operated a number of B-25G models in the MTO.

If by "old bloke" you mean ex-RAF, I seem to recall reading once that perhaps as few as one or two G models were supplied to the RAF. I'll see what I can track down, but someone who lurks here knows more than I.

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It was a good idea, it just didn't work.

Hmmm...

A little more poking around (this time at Joe Baugher's site) reveals that the RAF were indeed supplied with 2 B-25G's--RAF id's of FR208 and FR209. It goes on to say, however, that neither was used operationally. Not that I believe everything I find on the net, but Mr. Baugher typically strives for accuracy.

As said by my favorite cartoon character Sylvester the Cat: "This gets curioser and curioser."

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It was a good idea, it just didn't work.

The Minnesota Wing of the CAF has rides availible in our B-25 Miss Mitchell. More info on them can be found here: http://www.cafsmw.org/smw-rides/index.html

Its a long way off but then you can save up your nickels and dimes
The B-25 "Pacific Prowler" will be giving rides in Wendover the week ending August 26th along with a C-47.

Plus, if you stay for the air show on Saturday you'll get one of the first glimpses of the new FJ-4 Fury, MIG-15, MIG-17 demo team! formation flying and a mock dogfight!

Tom P.

Hmmm,

What about the rumor of the afore mentioned foundation operating this airplane on tour?

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"Hindsight is usually 20% off!"

Henning,

Rides on the B-25H Barbie III are 30 Minutes in duration and are available at various airshows in which Weary Warriors travels to and I believe are available at their base in the Chicago area. Rides are $400 for a forward compartment seat and $350 for a rear compartment seat much like Collings. Hope this info helps. Check with the people at Warbird Squadron 4 as they are closely connected with Weary Warriors.

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"Keep 'em Flying!"

Re the "old bloke" as far as I can recall he was A French Canadian and now it is mentioned I am pretty sure he was in RAF service which makes the sea fort story all the more interesting.

The Collings Foundation's "Tondelayo" B-25 Mitchell will be starting its tour next week in Florida and will be continuing though the Southern US tour and the tour in California through June 5th. Forward seats are a $400 donation (2 seats available) and the rear fuselage seats are $325 (4 seats available). See the schedule online at: www.collingsfoundation.org.

Ryan Keough