The Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum's B-25J Mitchell was assembled in Kansas City in early 1945, but never saw military service. It was operated as a civilian transport for over 25 years and the Museum found it abandoned at Wilmington Airport, Delaware, in 1975. After repairs, the aircraft was flown to the Museum, where it underwent extensive restoration. The aircraft now displays the markings of a B-25J of RAF No. 98 Squadron, which fought over North West Europe during 1944-45. It is dedicated to the Canadians who flew with that squadron. This model of airplane is well remembered for its role in the Doolittle Raid, on April 18, 1942, the first air raid by the United States to strike the Japanese homeland during World War II. Sixteen B-25B aircraft were launched from the U.S. Navy's aircraft carrier USS Hornet. The strike made the Japanese realize that they were vulnerable to attack, and served as a morale booster for the United States.
____ |
I have never seen those pin-ups on the aircrafts, didn't know it existed. Interesting...
ReplyDeleteLooks like a tough cookie indeed.
ReplyDelete...WWII nose art is great.
ReplyDeleteGreat! I love old planes!
ReplyDeleteIt looks beautiful, very nicely preserved. I lived about a mile from the Wilmington Airport for about 15 years, prior to moving to go to college.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beauty! I'm so glad it's been so nicely restored. Although I was too young to serve, many friends and members of my family did and I had a very close friend who was a gunner in one of these bombers flying many missions over Europe. He died a few years ago of prostate cancer.
ReplyDeleteNow that's a museum I would like to visit!
ReplyDeleteThat is a beautiful plane!
ReplyDeleteThe War Museum has several examples of that nose cone art, with the pin up model motif prevalent.
I should really head over to the Aviation Museum here sometime.
An amazing airplane. Hot Gen is looking pretty saucy!
ReplyDeleteWonderful display!
ReplyDeleteI didn't know that place existed, Andy.
ReplyDeletei would love to really see this plane. we have a show at a small, local airport here, i always enjoy seeing the WWII planes!! one plane that always comes to our show has the names of all the men that flew in it written on the outside. it is very cool!!!!
ReplyDeleteWhile I think this is very sexist, if pin-ups helped our pilots and soldiers face the war, I am OK with that.
ReplyDeleteShe's a beauty!! Great photos, and interesting about the golden age of aircraft artistry. One could do a whole book on the topic!
ReplyDeleteArt work looks nice on the side of it.
ReplyDeleteBuen trabajo... Me encantan tus imagenes
ReplyDeleteThat is great nose art on this B-25. It explains what the young men were fighting for. This aircraft is an survivor of a troubled time in World history. Many of these planes were converted to fire fighting water bombers, and many were just scrapped. Love your photos.
ReplyDelete