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Doolittle Reunion B-25 Participation in Jeopardy??

Tue Dec 27, 2011 12:05 pm

Hey all I hope everyone had a Merry Cristams and Happy Holidays. Been awhile since I've been on here, just been concentrating on work and family.

I did take some time off to go up and see the fine people at the Champaign Air Museum and see their progress on the B-17. As well as to catch a glimpse of the remains of B-17G 44-85505.

While I was there I heard through the grapevine that due in part to Panchito's unfortunate accident (which i didn't learn about til yesterday) that there is a Airworthiness Directive for cracked main gear on B-25s. Subsequently since then other B-25s have found cracks as well. So with the mother of all Mitchell gatherings looming only months away it does not bode well for the turnout at the Reunion. Champaign group's B-25 will be having it's gear checked shortly.

Perhaps this is old news but does anyone here have anymore information on this?

Shay
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Semper Fortis

Re: Doolittle Reunion B-25 Participation in Jeopardy??

Tue Dec 27, 2011 2:38 pm

Panchito's situation happened back in Sept. I've looked all over the FAA's website and I can't find anything about an A.D. for the aircraft.

Re: Doolittle Reunion B-25 Participation in Jeopardy??

Tue Dec 27, 2011 3:16 pm

GRUMPY is in Winter maintenance right now and is planned to be @ Dayton in April-so there'll be a 'D' there.

Don't know about FHC and 'BUSTER' they generally don't visit much off field and very rarely land anywhere other than KPAE, which is kind of sad.

Re: Doolittle Reunion B-25 Participation in Jeopardy??

Tue Dec 27, 2011 3:40 pm

cooper9411 wrote:Panchito's situation happened back in Sept. I've looked all over the FAA's website and I can't find anything about an A.D. for the aircraft.


The Inspector wrote:GRUMPY is in Winter maintenance right now and is planned to be @ Dayton in April-so there'll be a 'D' there.

Don't know about FHC and 'BUSTER' they generally don't visit much off field and very rarely land anywhere other than KPAE, which is kind of sad.


That shows you how much out of the loop I've been.

Good, I hope the situation is not as bad as it sounded. I don't mean to scare anyone. No one is hoping for the best turn out possible for the final public Doolittle Raiders Reunion than me. The CAM did have their 25 up on jack and were striping the main under-carriage when I was their yesterday although I don't know if it was for this reason.

Shay
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Semper Fortis

Re: Doolittle Reunion B-25 Participation in Jeopardy??

Tue Dec 27, 2011 7:42 pm

To All B-25 Operators:

A Mandatory Service Bulletin B-25-001, released today, regarding NDT inspections on B-25 Main Landing Gear Struts. This inspection is intended to prevent failure of the upper drag arm by detecting cracks before they reach failure point. Not all operators are on this e-mail list. Pass this information on to anyone you may know. A snail mailing will follow. If you have any questions, please contact Tony Ritzman @ Aero Trader (909) 597-4020.

Re: Doolittle Reunion B-25 Participation in Jeopardy??

Tue Dec 27, 2011 10:46 pm

Arizona Wing "Maid in the Shade" is going if it can raise the funds.

Re: Doolittle Reunion B-25 Participation in Jeopardy??

Tue Dec 27, 2011 11:12 pm

:? I hope all groups affected are able to get what they need to make it in April. Yesterday's pics up in Urbana with regards to the B-25.

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Shay
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Semper Fortis

Re: Doolittle Reunion B-25 Participation in Jeopardy??

Tue Dec 27, 2011 11:23 pm

Chris wrote:Arizona Wing "Maid in the Shade" is going if it can raise the funds.


I believe the same case for "Pacific Prowler"

Re: Doolittle Reunion B-25 Participation in Jeopardy??

Wed Dec 28, 2011 10:07 am

Here is a link to my pictures from the Champaign Aviation Museum, also from Tuesday

http://kennsmithf2g.smugmug.com/Airplan ... 322_MZMnCq


Have a super day.

Kenn

Re: Doolittle Reunion B-25 Participation in Jeopardy??

Wed Dec 28, 2011 6:19 pm

Hi all,

For those interested in the full txt of the SB: I can mail it. Please leave me a PM.
Kind regards,

Coert Munk

Re: Doolittle Reunion B-25 Participation in Jeopardy??

Wed Dec 28, 2011 9:42 pm

I know part of the reason Champaign Gal is up on jacks is for a new set of tires. A couple months ago while landing in Michigan, the starboard main blew out on the taxi in. Everybody was ok, but the chunk that came off tore all the hydraulic lines on that side and did some damage to the nacelle structure and the gear doors. After a couple days of work they ferried her back but she has been bedridden since.

Re: Doolittle Reunion B-25 Participation in Jeopardy??

Wed Dec 28, 2011 10:02 pm

At least everyone was O.K., and they'll get 'er back in shape :drink3:

Re: Doolittle Reunion B-25 Participation in Jeopardy??

Thu Dec 29, 2011 12:58 pm

Miss Mitchell will be there.

Re: Doolittle Reunion B-25 Participation in Jeopardy??

Thu Dec 29, 2011 3:46 pm

As far as I know both Briefing Time and Take-Off Time will both be there.

Re: Doolittle Reunion B-25 Participation in Jeopardy??

Thu Dec 29, 2011 10:56 pm

It looks like I will be there. I have thought about sweet talking John Sessions into letting me tag along for the ride over to Dayton in Grumpy (Hey, he needs to have an A&P along just in case, right?), but I don't think he will go for that! I have already sweet talked the wife into letting me leave her for a week. Now to find a flight and get a hotel!
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