Warbird Information Exchange

They did it for the same reason F4U-5NLs with winterization equipment were sent to Honduras postwar ! Govt efficiency ! [/b]

VMB-611's PBJ-1D's appear to also have this "air-scoop" as noted in these photos of MB 3 and MB 4. Unfortunately, I do not have any close-up photos of their PBJ-1Js. From my documentation, 611's PBJs were modified with the addition of HVAC hard-points at Barbers Point NAS after leaving San Diego, so if the "air-scoop" was a modification, I don't know where or when it was done to their PBJs.

Also note that MB 3 has waist-gun windows. I believe the "D" normally did not have waist-guns, they were added to the "H" and "J" models. I've been told all of 611's "D" models were modified as such, but also do not know where or when.

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In Honor and Memory of Marine Bombing Squadron VMB 611 "Black Seahorse" 1943-1945
Remembering 1st Lt Doit L Fish, MIA May 30, 1945 in PBJ-1J "MB 11"
Cherry Point - Parris Island - Emirau - Zamboanga

Dave,

Great photos! The mod looks to be the same minus the fluted front piece. Sure would like to solve this mystery.

With regards to the waist windows on the 'D' models. They were standard beginning, I believe, with the -30 or -35 block. There is at least one survivor like this - 43-3634 - flying as "Yankee Warrior." I also believe NAA manufactured kits for many mods - waist windows included - which could be added in the field. The same probably holds true for our mystery nose modification.

_________________
Cheers,

Craig

Facebook Groups:

U.S. Marine Corps Sikorsky HRS / CH-19 Helicopter Database
U.S. Coast Guard Sikorsky HO4S / HH-19 Helicopter Database

According to the directions in the Monogram B-25 1/48th scale model it is a gas fume expender.

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Chris Henry
EAA Aviation Museum Manager

The final word.
It is a mod on 25s with 3 nose guns using ram air to vent
cordite fumes from the nose.

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Don't touch my junk!!

Those .50s in the nose of a B-25 can really build up some fumes and smoke in the fuselage if they are not vented out properly. I keep wanting to think that the scoop has something to o with the nose of the aircraft because it doesn't make much sense to have such a long scoop just for a fresh air scoop. The B-25 has a couple of these already and they just stick right out side of the aircraft and trying to figure out why it would need such a production for simply fresh air unless they are trying to make get some sort of suction action from the long tube.

Sounds like Mustangdriver got it right and Jack had to know all along. Makes sense to me.

Craig,

You may be correct on the "D" waist-guns. I have a partial list (missing 5) of VMB-611's PBJs correlating their "MB" numbers with their BuNo. Their PBJ-1D's were from both -30 and -35 blocks. (One learns something new everyday!)

Dave

_________________
In Honor and Memory of Marine Bombing Squadron VMB 611 "Black Seahorse" 1943-1945
Remembering 1st Lt Doit L Fish, MIA May 30, 1945 in PBJ-1J "MB 11"
Cherry Point - Parris Island - Emirau - Zamboanga

A fume eliminator -TOO COOL! Wonder if Boeing could install one on the 757 to vent the fumes from the forward lav and keep them from wafting into the cockpit!

_________________
Cheers,

Craig

Facebook Groups:

U.S. Marine Corps Sikorsky HRS / CH-19 Helicopter Database
U.S. Coast Guard Sikorsky HO4S / HH-19 Helicopter Database

Since I knew I wasn't going crazy...

From RCAF Mitchell II Maintenance Manual EO 05-55B-2:



Pictured in the manual is Mitchell II light bomber KL 149 (B-25D-35 43-3647) with the "chute" shown. This manual does not show or discuss cartridge or link collection bags like the earlier manuals.

So it's both!