Tag: B-25

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TB-25N “Panchito” Offered For Sale

Please Note: This is an archived post. The information presented here may not be current and the associated listing may no longer be active.

TB-25N “Panchito” has hit the market.

The aircraft (S/N 44-30734) is touted as “one of the most well-known B-25 aircraft in the world,” serving as “lead aircraft at many events celebrating the Doolittle Raiders in the past 10 years, Superbowl XXXIX, Indy 500, Preakness Race and NASCAR races.”

The airframe has reportedly amassed a total time of 2950 hrs since “total restoration” while the two Wright R-2600-35 engines have accumulated 400 hrs each SMOH by JRS and Cascade Engine Service. The machine is said to include an avionics package as well as recent brakes, a Norden bomb sight, Martin top turret, 50 caliber nose (3), waist (2) and tail (2) guns, four fuselage pack guns with rare original metal enclosures, bombs and a removable tail gunner enclosure for photography.

The aircraft is being offered for $1,400,000 and is also said to include an “extensive spares package.” Click here to check out the complete listing.

(Photo: redlegsfan21 via Wikimedia Commons)

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Airfix Releases New Tool B-25C/D Model Kit

Airfix has released their new tool B-25C/D Mitchell model kit in 1/72 scale.

As previously reported, the offering (A06015) serves as a 21st century upgrade to the company’s previous 1/72 B-25 (which was originally released in 1965), utilizing “the very latest design and production techniques.” The kit is touted as “a highly accurate” representation of the machine, created with the aid of original construction drawings obtained from the Smithsonian as well as data gathered from an up-close inspection of B-25D FR193 (41-30792) based at the National War and Resistance Museum in Overloon, Holland.

Special attention has been paid to accurately reproducing the type’s “distinct gull-winged appearance,” which includes “a slight anhedral being incorporated to the outer wing area from the engine nacelles outwards.” Two livery options are also included representing B-25D-15 41-30409 “Lady Jane” of the 23rd Anti-Submarine Squadron and B-25C 41-12860 “Desert Warrior” of the 12th Bombardment Group.

Product Page ($32.47)

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Group Planning Another Search for Pittsburgh’s Legendary “Ghost Bomber”

The B-25 Recovery Group believes it has narrowed down the possible location of Pittsburgh’s famous “ghost bomber” and are reportedly considering another search.

The aircraft, TB-25N S/N 44-29125 (similar to the type seen above), was on a training flight from Nevada to Harrisburg when it ran out of fuel and ditched in Monongahela River near Homestead, Pennsylvania on January 31, 1956. While four crew members managed to make it to shore, two tragically perished in the freezing waters.

Subsequent searches for the aircraft were fruitless, and its whereabouts have become one of the area’s most enduring mysteries. Since 1995, the B-25 Recovery Group has been conducting research and mapping the riverbed with sonar in search of the missing bomber. Their investigation suggests that the machine came to rest in a submerged gravel pit and was eventually buried by silt. The team is focusing on a 50 x 200′ location off the Glenwood Bridge and may return this October to conduct another search.

After obtaining permits, the group hopes to drill in a grid-like pattern every 7.5′ – a method that they believe will locate the aircraft no matter what condition it may be in.

(via TribLIVE Additional Information via B-25 Recovery Group)

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EAA Meets Fundraising Goal For Airworthy Restoration of B-25

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. Continue reading EAA Meets Fundraising Goal For Airworthy Restoration of B-25

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B-25 “Old Glory” Offered For Sale

Please Note: This is an archived post. The information presented here may not be current and the associated listing may no longer be active.

B-25 “Old Glory” has hit the market.

The aircraft (S/N 44-28938) was originally delivered in 1944 and served with the 12th Air Force in Italy before returning to the US in 1945. After initially being stored in Texas, the machine was put back into service in 1947, operating in an administrative role at McClellan Field, California.

After a decade at McClellan, the machine was declared surplus and sold. The following years saw it pass through the hands of numerous owners, spending time as a fire bomber before being restored to its military configuration and wearing the names “Dream Lover” and “Spirit of Tulsa” before being renamed “Old Glory” in 1995.

Pricing on the aircraft has not been reported. The full listing and contact details can be found here.

(via Barnstormers.com Photo: BrokenSphere via Wikimedia Commons Additional Information via B-25 History Project and Warbird Registry)