Worlds only USMC Mitchell PBJ-1J Restoration CAF's Semper Fi

[Warbird Kid]

Ah i see. I cant blame you guys, im in the same prediciment over here on the East coast.

Aside from attending college (living on campus) and the party life here, i try to volunteer every Sat at the Conneticut Air and Space Center.

[Lightning]

Howdy Dan

Would you by chance have any pics of the fuselage ?

Thanks

Get Em Flying !

Lightning

[Dan Newcomb]

Crew Chief Marc Russell's day job is flying B-777s



Scott (on ladder) works with Roger (inside). Scott flies B747-400s and considers a triple seven in his words "a light twin"!

[Dan Newcomb]

This will give you folks a little background on our Mitchell



http://www.orgsites.com/ca/caf-socal/B- ... Flight.htm

[Dan Newcomb]

In the above article they hoped we would fly in 2001. Obviously we missed the mark! As we dug deeper we found more and more structure that was in need of repair or replacement.

Dan

[phil65]

Ah i see. I cant blame you guys, im in the same prediciment over here on the East coast.

Aside from attending college (living on campus) and the party life here, i try to volunteer every Sat at the Conneticut Air and Space Center.

"and the party life here"
In Connecticut ??? Now thats funny

[Jerry O'Neill]

I saw the History Channel this morning (7:00am in CT) and they had the B-25 segment re-run on "Save Our History". It featured a good look at the restoration of this PBJ.
Jerry

[Dan Newcomb]

Here are some behind the scenes shots of the History Channel program. After a full day of shooting Marc took show host Steve Thomas up for a little recon of Ventura County in Marc’s T-34. It was a fun day.

Crew Chief Marc Russell and show host Steve Thomas

[Django]

Ah, now it all makes sense. I thought it looked familar.

[Robbie Stuart]

It's looking real nice Dan. Yall hang there.
Robbie

[Dave Fish]

That is going to be great looking. My next door neighbor flew PBJ's with VMB413.

Something you may want to share with your neighbor. My father, 1st Lt Doit L Fish, was a PBJ pilot in VMB-611 under command of Lt Col George A Sarles. While I know little history on VMB-413, they served on Emirau as part of MAG-61. VMB-611 was also on Emirau, serving with her sister squadrons in MAG-61 from October 1944 to March 1945 before departing for Moret Airfield, Zamboanga, Mindanao.

Both Lt Col Sarles (PBJ-1D "MB 7") and my father (PBJ-1J "MB 11") were lost on May 30, 1945 while on a strike of the Kibawe Trail.

[Elroy13]

This will give you folks a little background on our Mitchell



http://www.orgsites.com/ca/caf-socal/B- ... Flight.htm

I was wondering where Big Ol Brew had been hiding! Thanks for the UPDATES Dan!

[Dave Fish]

I am a fellow team-member with Dan Newcomb on our CAF SoCalWing PBJ-1J restoration project. While I do not have a lot of "nuts and bolts" or aircraft rebuilding experience, I hope to make contributions in other ways.

My father was a PBJ pilot in VMB-611. I have done, and continue with, much research on the history of VMB-611 and her sister squadrons. I have made contact with vets of VMB-611, VMB-423, and VMB-613. With the information I gather, it is my goal that when our PBJ-1J is airworthy, she will be accompanied with an outstanding ground display.

Recently, I had the privilege and honor to represent, and on behalf of, Marine Bombing Squadron VMB-611 to present a $3,000.00 donation to our Wing for our PBJ-1J restoration project.

If anyone in the group has any history of the Marine Bomber Squadrons to share, I would be happy to receive it.

In their Honor, Semper Fi.

[ACarey]

Images deleted

Last edited by ACarey on Thu Mar 29, 2007 6:12 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[Dave Fish]

VMB-611 Official Insignia