The EAA’s $400,000 fundraising initiative to restore their B-25H to airworthy condition has been successful.
The aircraft (S/N 43-4432) was originally delivered to the USAAF in 1943 and went on to serve as an administrative aircraft at several bases around the US. Following the war, it passed through the hands of several owners, including Tallmantz Aviation, who used the machine in the 1970 film Catch-22.
The B-25 was donated to the EAA Museum in Oshkosh, Wisconsin in 1972 where it was restored to flying status as “The City of Burlington.” However, it was damaged in a landing accident in the 1980s, which resulted in cosmetic repairs and static display at the museum.
In 2015, the decision was made to fully restore the aircraft and return it to airworthy condition in order to “honor veterans and promote educational outreach.” Funds raised to date have reportedly supported the overhaul of both engines (which are expected to be complete by early March), the removal and refurbishment the landing gear, and finishing of the interior.
According to John Hopkins, the EAA’s manager of aircraft maintenance, the project should come in at or under budget, stating,
We should have enough reserve cash left over to purchase an extra propeller and an extra engine when the time comes that will give us a little extra cushion as the airplane goes into service. It’s always good to have a reserve fund because you never know what is going to happen to the aircraft — when an engine’s going to go, or when something mechanical is going to go. By having a little bit of a reserve we’ll be assured and the community will be assured that the aircraft is going to be flying for a long time.
It is hoped that the aircraft will return to the air this spring. In the meantime, constributions toward the project are still being accepted. Interested parties can learn more by clicking here.
(via EAA Additional Information via B-25 History)
