Ron Fagen's new B-25J

[Lightning]

Howdy All

Saw this on Facebook today

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set ... 668&type=1

Lightning

[Dan K]

Looking good...now fair skies back to Granite Falls.

[JohnTerrell]

She sure looks slick! Kinda cool that it shares the same pinup as the nose art on another Minnesota-based B-25, 'Miss Mitchell', and they both are 12th AF Med.-Theatre schemes (with this one, it is more/less inspired by a wartime paint scheme, rather than an exact recreation). Restored for comfort/joy riding, I trust the Fagens will get a lot of enjoyment traveling around in this beautiful aircraft. Like the FHC Mitchell, I like the look of the contrast of the bare metal cockpit and nose framing against the OD paint.

[Warbird Kid]

Attached here for everyone:

[lmritger]

Did my eyes deceive me, or did I see the red fin tips of the 321st BG on this beautiful bird?! Does anyone have a view of the outer vertical stabs, to see if she's carrying battle numbers or the Roman digits common to the group? Man, I really, really, REALLY hope that's the case!!

Lynn

[Mark Allen M]

Close scheme but just a bit off ..... nice looking B-25 no matter.

More photos here
http://57thbombwing.com/gallery2/main.php

[bomberfan]

They say it should arrive sometime this weekend. I wish I knew when, I would love to see it arrive. Looks absolutely beautiful!!

[JFS61]

Close scheme but just a bit off ..... nice looking B-25 no matter.

More photos here
http://57thbombwing.com/gallery2/main.php

At least it's better than the godawful "Russian to Get Ya" noseart:



If you're going to do WWII style pinups girls, at least use models who resemble women of the period, and not modern day silicon-enhanced models as the basis for your art (although one could argue that's the least of the problems with it).

[Mark Allen M]

It is indeed a beautiful airplane (that doesn't belong to me) so the only observation I have is why not a more accurate scheme coming from an observer only of course. Great opportunity to have a BMF with camo schemed B-25 as you see in the photo. That would have been super cool. As far as I can tell Fagan's empire usually goes to great lengths on accurate paint schemes. Dunno!! His airplane, his decision. If it flies it's a winner no matter what I suppose. See it as OSH

As for the Russian scheme? Dunno!! His airplane, his decision. If it flies it's a winner no matter what I suppose.

If it's my airplane? it doesn't fly (at least shown and flown publicly) until it's scheme is painstakenly correct .... but that's just me

But make no mistake, another B-25 flying is a wonderful thing and best of luck with it for the Fagan group.

[Ken]

This and Briefing Time both beautiful birds that represent NMF machines camoed in theatre. I fully appreciate why an owner wouldn't want to do this scheme, then again I wonder why they didn't just pick an entirely different scheme for an OD factory bird.

As Mark says, it's the owner's call and I fully support that, even when it makes my inner-rivet-counter cringe.

Ken

[JohnTerrell]

(Sort of a repeat of my previous post) I was told, months ago, that the aircraft was being restored to be a comfortable 'touring' aircraft (and you can see this by the interior photos). It's not in-line with the super authentic restorations as some of the other Fagen Fighters aircraft are, but it does fall right in with the charm/character that I love about the museum. This is the same group, as you recall, which have hand-painted the nose art on their warbirds (P-38 "Ruff Stuff", P-51D "Twilight Tear", P-40K "Aleutian Tiger", and now the B-25), and who fitted their ultra-authentically restored P-51D "Twilight Tear" with live-firing .50's and shot off numerous rounds into a purposely-built gun range/pit, only after bore-sighting the guns and gun sight just like they did originally in service. The idea of painting the B-25 OD over grey I know was an early one, prior to any decision on what markings to apply, and the push towards painting it in 321st BG markings came later. It looks stunning already in the various partial glimpses of the aircraft - I can't wait to see a picture of the full aircraft in-flight!

Also, a big congratulations to the guys at Aero Trader as well, for another gorgeous and superb B-25 refurbishment/restoration completed (as I understand, having seen them, they have several projects available for anyone willing to invest the money required to get another B-25 restored/flying!).

[Jack Cook]

I'm sorta very underwhelmed..............
B-25Js in the MTO mid 44 and beyond arrived NMF and some had a OD/green overspray on the upper surfaces.
MTO B-25Js and I believe all others to did not carry the fuselage mounted .50s.
Be that has it may I find the nose art overpowering and don't get the black anti glare for the cockpit.
But, it is better than that Russian abortion of a paint scheme of Bill Arnot's old Bomber.
Has the saying goes....I doesn't cost anymore to do it right
So glad that Doc Hisey didn't change one dang thing on the Rabbit! That man has great taste!!

Last edited by Jack Cook on Thu Jul 17, 2014 11:14 pm, edited 2 times in total.

[Dan K]

So glad that Doc Hisey didn't change one dang thing on the Rabbit! That man has great taste!!

You speak with forked tongue, Kemosabe...wasn't the original "Super Rabbit" OD?

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=8980

[flightsimer]

Is this a new restoration or just a new paint scheme? Not really familiar with his collection

[Jack Cook]

contraire mon frère!
She's just has I left her!!! Those mission markers took forever to put on!
The kill flags I had reproduced from a original in a Corsair pilots logbook!
http://www.oklahomamuseumofflying.org/photos/b25/sr-09b.jpg