From the International Cockpit Club website (photo also taken from this site)
In 2002 the remains of a long forgotten North American B-25 were recovered
from Eastern Russia by brothers Daniel & Kevin Hunt. The forward cockpit
section, rear main fuselage and both engines were airlifted by helicopter
and later shipped to the UK.
Due to the location of the B-25 it is believed that it was being operated by
an American unit flying from Attu with the 11th AF. Research is currently
under way using the engine numbers as a form of identification. No evidence
of any human remains were found at the site and all information was passed
onto the American POW/MIA Personnel Office. It is hoped that the USAAF
serial number together with information on the crew, squadron and its final
mission can finally be tracked down and the story of this B-25 displayed
along side the final museum exhibit.
It is planned by the brothers to carry out a sympathetic restoration on the
main cockpit section saving as much of the original as possible. A general
‘tidy up’ will be undertaken and any structural damage particularly the
canopy area being repaired and restored to its former glory. Any corrosion
which is mainly limited to the under belly area due to years of laying in
grass/scrub etc will be treated to prevent any further corrosion from
occurring.
Any work undertaken will hopefully retain its ‘recovered’ look with work
being limited to basically making it a more attractive museum display. Once
the first phase of airframe repairs and anti corrosion work has been
undertaken, it is hoped to then move on to restoring the interior by
replacing some of the missing cockpit fittings, including pilot & co pilots
seats and even the main instrument panel. Any information on the whereabouts
of parts to boost this project particularly 2 control wheels, pilot/co-pilot
seats, instrument panel or drawings, nose section will be gratefully received.
By: Whitley_Project - 19th January 2006 at 21:09
Yes – Tom is correct – same a/c, same person, just been a bit delayed.
Hi guys
Word on the street is that this baby has a new home to go to. Should be moved by summer 05, although she will continue to remain outside – at least she will be looked at and given some TLC.
By: Tom_W - 18th January 2006 at 21:42
Which close to the M25 B25 are we talking about Tom? The one that flies or the one mouldering away in a corner???
Hello Yak11Fan
The B-25 I was referring to was the ‘mouldering’ example, both might be moving in the very near future. I hear the Sandtoft example still hasn’t found its way to Belgium yet. My apologies to David, it was late, only time I get to check the forum nowadays.
Tom
By: Dave T - 18th January 2006 at 09:23
The ‘close to the M25 B-25’ is due to move more than a few inches very soon, David you might need to re-check your information guv.
Tom
I’ll think you’ll find Dave said it hadn’t moved an inch (past tense).
If it moves in the future, then it will have….. er….. moved ! :rolleyes:
By: Yak 11 Fan - 18th January 2006 at 07:55
Which close to the M25 B25 are we talking about Tom? The one that flies or the one mouldering away in a corner???
By: Tom_W - 17th January 2006 at 22:15
The ‘close to the M25 B-25’ is due to move more than a few inches very soon, David you might need to re-check your information guv.
Tom
By: ZRX61 - 17th January 2006 at 00:45
There are large lumps of one at the bottom of a local canyon, don’t much fancy a 5 mile hike into rattlesnake country to have a look at it tho
By: David Burke - 16th January 2006 at 20:31
Coert – I have – it hasn’t moved an inch.
By: Coert Munk - 16th January 2006 at 20:20
It’s a few years since this message was posted. Anyone on the group with further info on this B-25?
By: Whitley_Project - 25th January 2005 at 16:40
M25 mitchell
Hi guys
Word on the street is that this baby has a new home to go to. Should be moved by summer 05, although she will continue to remain outside – at least she will be looked at and given some TLC.
[B/S MODE ON]maybe it’s a boasting thing – doesn’t it sound much more interesting and adventurous to have the retrieval of a junkpile from Russia on the records ? Maybe it’s downright boring just to rescue the one (junkpile) from just around the corner. It’s the air of mistery surrounding such a wreck brought back from the ‘wilderness’ [/B/S MODE OFF]
Honestly – I’d rather see the fire-dump queens and all those other neglected ‘restoration projects’ saved first.
Period.
Martin
By: Swiss Mustangs - 25th January 2005 at 14:11
[B/S MODE ON]maybe it’s a boasting thing – doesn’t it sound much more interesting and adventurous to have the retrieval of a junkpile from Russia on the records ? Maybe it’s downright boring just to rescue the one (junkpile) from just around the corner. It’s the air of mistery surrounding such a wreck brought back from the ‘wilderness’ [/B/S MODE OFF]
Honestly – I’d rather see the fire-dump queens and all those other neglected ‘restoration projects’ saved first.
Period.
Martin
By: Dave T - 25th January 2005 at 14:02
Indeed, second that comment.
Is the ‘M25’ asking price and/or owners just soooo difficult to deal with, that it really is cheaper to go Russia ?
By: TEXANTOMCAT - 25th January 2005 at 13:43
Hear Hear, Propstrike
By: Propstrike - 24th January 2005 at 22:05
It is ironic in a way, to retrieve part of a shattered hulk from thousands of miles away, when we have a complete B25 within three miles of the M25, just begging to be saved. Does a combat history make so much difference?
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January 24, 2005 at 6:03 pm