Warbird Information Exchange

Wonder why she was let get so run down. I could see it happening to a old Aztec but not something rare like a B-25. If anyone needs a place to keep a warbird that would otherwise rot outside my local airport rents hanger space for $75 a month..... Which if I could afford a plane like this is where it'd be even if it couldn't fly.

I've had three goes at buying this bird, each with what I consider to be a fair price , I based this on asking lots of questions from B-25 guys in the US who know this bird well. The problem was (and still is) ownership, I figured if I could dismantle her asap and get her into another state then that could help, nope, you have federal laws to combat that.

Although the guy answering my questions was very helpful I suspect that not all the parties involved actually even know themselves what the situation is with this B-25. A real shame to still see her sitting there two years after I started my inquiries. Oh well, move on to greener pastures they say.

Good luck to anyone who can sort this out and rescue this babe.

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Peter
ESAD (E-Science and Digitalisation)

I was wondering on another thread is it would even be a legal sale with an unclear title?

A "what if".......what if a price could be agreed upon, the money put into an agreeable trust and the title legally change hands. That way you get the title/airframe, the money is safely in a trust and the seller and all others with claims/liens can fight over the money and sort it out.

Most states offer the possibility of a 'Bonded Title'. The process is similar to bail bonds IIRC. A bond is purchased for a fraction of the appraised value of the item, and held for a period of time. The title is transferred (or created almost) by the state, and after a set period of time without a dispute or counter-claim, the title is 'clean', and the bond is refunded.

Points of difficulty include finding a willing bonding authority, and arriving at an official appraised value. I've only tried it once, and that was with a solid, but scruffy Diamler. The appraised value was set at a fully restored high end auction estimate, and the bond cost exceeded the asking price of the car.
I can't give any first hand account of the end process, as we decided to skip the Diamler

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Lest Hero-worship raise it's head and cloud our vision, remember that World War II was fought and won by the same sort of twenty-something punks we wouldn't let our daughters date.

doesn't aero trader have several b-25 projects for sale for a lot less then the asking price of this bird!?!?

EDIT, Never mind They are 175 thousand each.

I'm not too familiar with bonding but it sounds like a possible path to take.

No dice at $82,600.

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Rob Mears
'Surviving Corsairs' Historian
robcmears@yahoo.com
http://www.robmears.com

Did you notice in the reserve price was met?

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Tyler Pinkerton
Active Member of Air Heritage Inc. of Beaver Falls, PA.
Aircraft: C47B, C-123K, Fairchild F-24, Funk Model B, L-21B, T-28B, T-34B
Static: F-4C Phantom II, F-15A, T-3 Provost

The PT 26 was not on the ramp a couple weeks ago. Not sure what happened to it. As for the B 25 since the bomb bay has been open all these years every bird within 50 miles of here have nested in it. I would think there must be 5,000 lbs of bird droppings in it. I have often wondered what if any issues would arise from its close proximity to the paper mill all these years. If that would affect corrosion at all.

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Flying Piper L4-J 45-55209

Reserve not met.

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Taylor Stevenson

The gentleman should let it go for 82 grand. At some point you have to cut your losses and find that bird a good home. If not for reasons of yourself but to honor the greatest generation. If you think about it, how much was everybody's mortgage at the time? to own a b-25 for under a 100 grand would be pretty awesome to do! Cheaper than any house up here

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" I am a nobody in aviation, but somebody to my family."

Honor, is like the old soldier that is fading away.

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Kind Regards,
Gary Lewis
J.A.F.O.

Couldn't agree with you more Gary....

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" I am a nobody in aviation, but somebody to my family."

Looking at the bidding history, the high bidder placed several covering bids, meaning that he was willing to go higher than the $82,600.00 final price. The seller would be smart to contact him and see just how high the bidder was willing to go, and try to reach a deal. Unlike your average antique, this one isn't going to keep appreciating in value, especially sitting outside, rotting in the elements.

I saw your picture and I agree. it is a real shame that "they" just let her rot like this.

In it's current condition it would more than likely cost at least as much as as any decent turn-key B-25 to restore. Even I can see that. Interesting though. Let it go...

~J~