B-25 Ruptured Duck

Fri Dec 15, 2006 8:56 am

I have a two part question on this one. The first is that I talked to Ellen Lawson, and she told me that the aircraft was found and is no longer in the water. Can any one confirm that? The second is that I was looking for any pics of the B-25 that played the Duck in the movie Pear Harbor. Thank you guys in advance. It would be awsome to see the Duck restored if this is true.

Fri Dec 15, 2006 10:12 am

If you have ever read 30 Seconds Over Tokyo the epilogue section tells a bit about the fate of the Ruptured Duck. It says (been awhile) something to the effect that the portion of the fuselage featuring the artwork was put on display in Tokyo not long after the raid. On that same note, has anyone gone wreckchasing for these a/c? I recall that someone had found Doolittles aircraft and recovered the armored seat back, but that was several years ago.

Jim

Fri Dec 15, 2006 10:55 am

Par of Doolitles aircraft was incorporated into the restoration of the one that is in the USAFM. I by no means mean to say that that makes it Doolittles aircraft, but it is kind of neat that part of his aircraft is in there. The one on display was actually a D model that was rebuilt by North American to B standards.

Fri Dec 15, 2006 11:09 am

Jim my copy of 30 Seconds Over Tokyo was given to my Grandfather on Fathers Day by my Aunt on June 20,1943. It states on p. 188 that an evacuee from the Gripsholm stated the the Duck was on display in a Tokyo square.

Fri Dec 15, 2006 5:22 pm

Thats it Rick...like I said, its been awhile.

Jim

Fri Dec 15, 2006 7:27 pm

I am shocked that no one has put one of the real Doolittle raider -25's back together. I wouldn't imagine that they would be any worse than some of the other wrecks I have been seeing that are being restored.