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B-25H Barbie III is giving rides at Falcon Field Mesa, AZ

Mon Jan 02, 2006 4:47 pm

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/

Mon Jan 02, 2006 5:36 pm

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

Tue Jan 03, 2006 8:52 pm

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.

Wed Jan 04, 2006 9:30 pm

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

Wed Jan 04, 2006 9:39 pm

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

Thu Jan 05, 2006 5:25 am

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

B-25's with 75mm

Thu Jan 05, 2006 6:43 am

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?

Thu Jan 05, 2006 12:03 pm

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.

Thu Jan 05, 2006 12:40 pm

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." :wink:

Thu Jan 05, 2006 4:15 pm

henning wrote: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


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

Thu Jan 05, 2006 6:37 pm

Its a long way off but then you can save up your nickels and dimes :D
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.

Thu Jan 05, 2006 7:37 pm

Hmmm,

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

Thu Jan 05, 2006 8:32 pm

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. :o

Fri Jan 06, 2006 8:35 pm

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. :?

Fri Jan 06, 2006 10:33 pm

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
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