My First Flight in a B-25
Fri May 04, 2007 2:27 am
WHAT AN EXPERIENCE! Today (May 3) I had the privilege of my first flight in a B-25 (better known to me as a PBJ). The Collings Foundation trio of warbirds - B-17 Nine O Nine, B-24 Witchcraft, and B-25 Tondelayo visited Camarillo Airport as part of their Wings of Freedom Tour 2007. I had previously flown in their B-24 when it was the Dragon and his Tail but today it was the B-25.
The Tondelayo flies two passengers forward of the bomb-bay behind the flight deck and three passengers aft of the bomb-bay. I was forward and enjoyed most of the flight in the bombardier’s nose position. We flew over the mountains of Ventura County, over a local lake, and returned to Camarillo along the coastline.
For my first time, I was able to "experience" my father’s routine of pre-flight checks, starting and run-up of the twin engines, taxing, and takeoff. We flew at about 1500 feet at 180 knots. As we flew over the mountains, I could imagine PBJs flying over the jungles of Mindanao, striking targets with low-level (500-1000 ft) bombing, rocket, and strafing attacks, and then returning over water to Zamboanga. I could also imagine a safe return to base as we approached Camarillo Airport, touched down with the nose gear making a slow and gentle glide contact with the runway and finally taxing with that sound that only the B-25 engines make.
What a day! I just had to share it with those that would understand my feelings of the event and understand what it meant to me to experience in my mind a few moments with my father. Dad, today I became another part of your life, Semper Fi.
The Tondelayo flies two passengers forward of the bomb-bay behind the flight deck and three passengers aft of the bomb-bay. I was forward and enjoyed most of the flight in the bombardier’s nose position. We flew over the mountains of Ventura County, over a local lake, and returned to Camarillo along the coastline.
For my first time, I was able to "experience" my father’s routine of pre-flight checks, starting and run-up of the twin engines, taxing, and takeoff. We flew at about 1500 feet at 180 knots. As we flew over the mountains, I could imagine PBJs flying over the jungles of Mindanao, striking targets with low-level (500-1000 ft) bombing, rocket, and strafing attacks, and then returning over water to Zamboanga. I could also imagine a safe return to base as we approached Camarillo Airport, touched down with the nose gear making a slow and gentle glide contact with the runway and finally taxing with that sound that only the B-25 engines make.
What a day! I just had to share it with those that would understand my feelings of the event and understand what it meant to me to experience in my mind a few moments with my father. Dad, today I became another part of your life, Semper Fi.
Fri May 04, 2007 5:52 am
Dave,
That's a moving story and I can relate to having a similar experiences flying AF jets and later warbirds and thinking about my dad during those flights and how it made all his stories and kodachrome slides come to life in a new way. How cool that you got to fly in the B-25/PBJ and get a tangible glimpse into his experience in the old bomber!
That's a moving story and I can relate to having a similar experiences flying AF jets and later warbirds and thinking about my dad during those flights and how it made all his stories and kodachrome slides come to life in a new way. How cool that you got to fly in the B-25/PBJ and get a tangible glimpse into his experience in the old bomber!
Fri May 04, 2007 6:33 am
Great story!
I got a chance to fly in a B-25 back in 1990 (Glenn Lamont's B-25J "Guardian of Freedom.") The aircraft didn't have an upper turret, so two of us were strapped into jumpseats aft of the flight deck..like you, I made a beeline for the nose as soon as possible. The view is incredible, but it makes you realize just how vulnerable those guys were. The 30 minute ride cost me 100 bucks..a princely sum then, but it would be considered dirt cheap today!
I understand Colonel Lamont sold the B-25 in 1999, and it's now on the west coast. Does anyone know if he's still with us? The most recent info I could find online was an ad he posted offering a jeep for sale in November of '05.
SN
I got a chance to fly in a B-25 back in 1990 (Glenn Lamont's B-25J "Guardian of Freedom.") The aircraft didn't have an upper turret, so two of us were strapped into jumpseats aft of the flight deck..like you, I made a beeline for the nose as soon as possible. The view is incredible, but it makes you realize just how vulnerable those guys were. The 30 minute ride cost me 100 bucks..a princely sum then, but it would be considered dirt cheap today!
I understand Colonel Lamont sold the B-25 in 1999, and it's now on the west coast. Does anyone know if he's still with us? The most recent info I could find online was an ad he posted offering a jeep for sale in November of '05.
SN
Fri May 04, 2007 7:34 am
Very, very cool, Dave! If that was yesterday morning, you flew right over the top of my office! I heard you guys coming but got to the window a tad too late. Thanks for sharing that with us.
Fri May 04, 2007 7:50 am
Dave,
CONGRATULATIONS! I know what the experience must have felt like for you. What a great thing to do in honor of your Dad.
I too, flew aboard 'TONDELAYO' a year ago April 18th and had the good fortune to experience the flight with my Dad. He had not flown in one since he stepped out of his PBJ at Barber's Point in November, 1945. As he stepped down from the plane after our flight he exclaimed that he felt like he was 21 again!
With 15,000 flight hours in everything from Cessna 152's to the B-767-300, flying in the B-25 with Dad (even though I never touched the controls) is the most rewarding 45 minutes of flight I believe I shall ever have.
CONGRATULATIONS! I know what the experience must have felt like for you. What a great thing to do in honor of your Dad.
I too, flew aboard 'TONDELAYO' a year ago April 18th and had the good fortune to experience the flight with my Dad. He had not flown in one since he stepped out of his PBJ at Barber's Point in November, 1945. As he stepped down from the plane after our flight he exclaimed that he felt like he was 21 again!
With 15,000 flight hours in everything from Cessna 152's to the B-767-300, flying in the B-25 with Dad (even though I never touched the controls) is the most rewarding 45 minutes of flight I believe I shall ever have.
Fri May 04, 2007 11:12 am
Just think Dave some day when we get our PBJ flying you can go up for FREEEEE!!!!
Fri May 04, 2007 11:28 am
Very cool Dave. I used to help out maintaining her when she was at Beaver and named Hoosier honey. It was so cool to be in the pilot's seat. THere is no learning, like being there.
Fri May 04, 2007 12:47 pm
CONGRATS Dave!!! 
B-25
Fri May 04, 2007 1:05 pm
During the airshow last weekend the LSFM B-25 flew a lot. It looks good in it's new paint job. A 25 is a super photo plane, it can cruise at 190 knots or so, therefore is easy for a fighter to form up on. It can hold a number of photographers and with the open tail gunner position you can get the head on shots. And I don't know if there is a more honored or deserving group of vets in aviaton than the Doolittle Raiders.