Bedsheet Bomber

I would doubt it, what would be the point when you can pick up a good flyer in America for way way less than it would cost to rebuild this example.

if the B-25 is owned by the TFC could this be the next big project after the Beaufighter?

It WAS owned by Aces High until 1989 when Stephen Grey bought it. Aces High bought it in1984 and intended flying her, putting the B-25 on the civil register as G-BKXW and painted it in RAF colours as “HD368/VO-A”. In 1989 it was repainted as “44-30861/Bedsheet Bomber” which is its correct serial. It has not flown since the making of “633 Squadron” in 1964 and has just sat there deteriorating.

Albert- The B-25 at North Weald doesn’t belong to Aces High – the initial reply
to he first post is pretty bang on the nail. Off the top of my head she has been at North Weald since 1986 .

(where the spar was cut – great bit of forward planning),

Why was the Spar cut, to deny further use of the aircraft or for some specific engineering reason ?.

I thought that the Sandtoft B-25 was Gorgeous Georgeanne – the guys have visited it recently and its rotting – real shame see old thread…

thanks for all your help on bedsheet guys…one day maybe she’ll be saved…

Ben

Yes, you’re right it was “Gorgeous Georgeanne” in “Hanover Street” and I actually flew in her during the making of that film in 1978. It had its noseart changed to “Laiden Maiden” at some stage and think these were the markings it had when in the film “Catch 22”, but not sure.
“Bedsheet Bomber” was indeed used briefly in “633 Squadron” as ‘N908’ and has been with Aces High for years, parked outside at North Weald. Guess they think Mitchells are two-a-penny as not worth taking care of?

Yes it is ‘Gorgeous Georganne’ at Sandtoft, ex Coventry Airport. I see there is more about Bedsheet’s interesting history on an earlier thread, though I’m still not clear who owns her or even how long the aircraft has been at North Weald. Surely someone must know the answers to these points?

A new wing spar would probably cost by the time you have fitted it and restored the rest of it more than an airworthy Mitchell bought straight from the U.S.

what about asking salvage squad they did a beautiful DH moth in 2002 why not do a warbird as well?

Good idea, im getting bored of them restoring steam rollers 😀 there is a number of problems with this as the owner might not even want the plane touched, also im not sure if the Salvage squad could do a restoration of this scale. It might be too complex, then you have the CAA…..

how much would a new wing spar cost for a B-25?

I thought that the Sandtoft B-25 was Gorgeous Georgeanne – the guys have visited it recently and its rotting – real shame see old thread…

thanks for all your help on bedsheet guys…one day maybe she’ll be saved…

Ben

Bedsheet Bomber

I believe this was the B-25 which appeared briefly in the film 633 Squadron in a semi natural-metal finish. From there to Biggin Hill (where the spar was cut – great bit of forward planning), and thence on to Southend, Duxford and finally North Weald.

As for ownership, I understand the above name is correct. Had heard a price tag of around £25K attached to this aeroplane, but this is not direct from the owner so take with a word of caution.

Would be nice to see her finally come in from the cold – a B-25 deserves a better future than simply roting away. Life is, however, not always that simple.

The aeroplane at Sandtoft, “Laiden Maiden” was in a lot better state when I last saw her four or so years ago. Bad exfoliation to one of the port centre section spar booms, but as B-25s go, a restorable airframe. I believe the centre section has been lifted without spreader-bars being fitted, so unknown and potentially fatal damage may have ben caused.

Phil

Wrecks & Relics gives the US reg as N9089Z. The FAA info site gives the following as the registered owner.
AERO ASSOCIATES INC
Street P O BOX 5821
City TUCSON State ARIZONA Zip Code 85700
County PIMA
Country UNITED STATES
It was also registered in the UK as G-BKXW but this does not show up now on the G-INFO site.
‘Bedsheet’ had shuffled between Duxford, Biggin and Southend before ending up at North Weald. W&R doesn’t show it as having taken part in Hanover St.
I first saw it at North Weald about 10 years ago, I suspect its been there a lot longer than that. 🙁
mmitch.

Apologies if its been covered elsewhere recently, but what’s the brief history of this B-25 then? Not a Hannover Street veteran?

its a shame now that we are left with very few warbirds in the country

I bet she’s a mess inside with that open crew hatch!

Im glad grumpy didnt go this way hopefully some one will decide to repair this warbird…………………………………….. i know it sounds stupid but what about asking salvage squad they did a beautiful DH moth in 2002 why not do a warbird as well?

How sad…who owns it??? whats it worth???

This was ‘Bedsheets’ condition last Summer. It mainly looks complete but severe corrosion evident everywhere. 🙁
mmitch

That said Hanover Street was 1978 (ish) a lot can happen in 26 years. I only need to look at how much I have deteriorated in that time. 😀 😮

Yep, later found in a semi dismantled state at Coventry before passing through Aces High’s hands on the way to Sandtoft.