OK guys, here's a challenge for you.
Last September the Times Picayune ran an article about Paul Hilliard, a retired businessman and USMC veteran who made it possible for the National World War II Museum in New Orleans to acquire a C-47 with an impressive combat record for their collection. The piece also quoted him expressing his hopes for the future.
Robbie Stuart wrote:...the price tag was $155,000, plus another $70,000 for restoration -- both of them compliments of Hilliard.
And he isn't finished yet. Now Hilliard is looking for a B-25 bomber...
"If we can get our hands on one of them, we're going to do it," he says.
How about it, folks? The man is seriously looking to preserve a Mitchell and I say we help him out! What better group to consult about the number, condition, significance, and availibility of surviving examples?
I'm certain they intend it to be a static display, so let's leave the flyers off the list. I also think it should be something not so far gone as to need major work just to make it externally presentable -- located somewhere in the US or Canada (to reduce transportation costs) -- and ideally an aircraft with a genuine WWII combat record.
Post your suggestions and I'll pass them along to Mr. Hilliard via the museum staff.
(Of course, for all I know, they've already found one -- but, then somebody here should be able to tell us that too)