Kermit Weeks Acquires Last B-25B

[Warbird Kid]

The BIG NEWS today... Kermit acquired the world's last known B-25B airframe! Looks like Matt Nightingale's team will be doing alot of the work with Carl Scholl supervising.

Kermit's Video on YT
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snZWlFhyK_A


From Air Classic's FB page:
https://www.facebook.com/airclassicsmagazine

KERMIT AND THE LAST RAIDER
On 19 February, Kermit Weeks announced the restoration of the world’s only surviving North American B-25B Mitchell. The B-25B is the type of aircraft used by Jimmy Doolittle for his historic raid launched against Japan from the deck of the USS Hornet. The B model variant of the Mitchell was produced in just limited numbers and is quite different from later versions of the famed medium bomber. “The B-25B is one of our most significant surviving Warbird artifacts,” stated Weeks. “It is imperative that this aircraft be restored to flight status to honor the Americans that flew the most daring raid of the early days of this country’s involvement in WWII.” The restoration will be handled by Aero Trader and Cal Aero-Sport at Chino Airport in a joint effort to complete the massive project in the least amount of time. “Using Aero Traders vast inventory of Mitchell components, we hope to move forward at a rapid pace and work on this rare icon of USAAF aviation has begun this week,” said Carl Scholl. “We intend to move forward on this project with full speed.” Before being saved by Aero Trader, the B-25B was utilized by Hollywood studios as a movie prop and suffered quite a bit of damage as can be seen in Steve Whitby’s photograph. The June issue of AIR CLASSICS will carry many more details on this restoration along with some never before printed information on the raid itself. Make sure you get a copy of the June issue by calling 818-700-6868.

[phil65]

Pretty cool, hopefully I'll live long enough to see it flying...

Does anybody know the serial number ?

Thanks,
Phil

[rcaf_100]

Does anybody know the serial number ?

It's 40-2347, with Doolittle's plane being 40-2344 as mentioned in the video.
https://b-25history.org/aircraft/402347.htm

[phil65]

Ok, thanks..

I heard him say it was only three numbers away from Jimmy's, but I didn't get the full number..

A lot of work..

Phil

[phil65]

"Her first assignment was to Westover Field, Massecheusetts on June 5, 1942."

Too many E's for my home state...

Phil

[AG pilot]

“We intend to move forward on this project with full speed.”

Nice!!

[Spitty]

Reminds me of a kid showing off his model plane collection..Gotta catch them all..

[JohnB]

Great news. I saw that a "B" project (one source says just fuselage) was owned by Aero Trader.
Glad to see it get restored.

I became a huge B-25 fan when the museum I volunteered at had one.
Since they are relatively common, I hadn't paid much attention to them, but being around one, and flying in it a couple of times really made me appreciate it. I also found out my dad flew a 25D as a currency trainer before heading to Italy to fly B-17s.

Weeks has the resources to do it right, and from seeing the local ship get parts from Aero Trader(as well as their reputation as THE Mitchell shop) I know its in good hands.

[quemerford]

Great news. I saw that a "B" project (one source says just fuselage) was owned by Aero Trader.

It's been stored at Ocotillo Wells for decades since Art got it from Cinema of the Air (IIRC). It would be great to know which movies it starred in: I'm assuming that the cockpit remodelling was to allow camera access?

[Warbird Kid]

Great news. I saw that a "B" project (one source says just fuselage) was owned by Aero Trader.

It's been stored at Ocotillo Wells for decades since Art got it from Cinema of the Air (IIRC). It would be great to know which movies it starred in: I'm assuming that the cockpit remodeling was to allow camera access?

One would have to assume 30 Seconds over Tokyo? Guy Named Joe perhaps? Any other early 40s/50s movies with B-25s in them?

[Thomas_Mac]

I think Kermit needs to acquire another hangar or three

[marine air]

Mr. Weeks has talked a long time about "Phase III." Actually I think it has already been doing Phase Three of his vision. He's been taking a pause, or sabbatical and reviewing his life's work and investments in aviation. To me, he is now starting Phase IV.
Phase IV is about the people. The people that designed, constructed, flew them valiantly and today the craftsmen that restore them. He already owns a very fine B-25. I think he's fascinated with the history makers and the stories.

[JohnB]

I think Kermit needs to acquire another hangar or three

Today, the hangars cost more than the airplanes.

[hardlanding]

(oops double posted)

Last edited by hardlanding on Thu Feb 20, 2025 6:42 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[hardlanding]

Mr. Weeks has talked a long time about "Phase III."... He's been taking a pause, or sabbatical and reviewing his life's work and investments in aviation. To me, he is now starting Phase IV....

I just hope that Kermit has a plan for his collection after he's gone - it's such a priceless collection, and there are so many outstanding projects, more than will ever be started, let alone completed in his lifetime. I still am perplexed that Paul Allen made no arrangements for his collection (Flying Heritage/FHCAM) - no ongoing foundation or endowment - leaving everything to his sister who just shut it down asap. Thank goodness for another aviation-interested billionaire who stepped in to keep that collection together, but who could do the same with Kermit's?

Maybe with Kermit's universal/spiritual connections, he'll keep managing it all from the afterlife... (Just kidding, with affection )