Warbird Information Exchange

Wasn't there a B-25 that made a forced landing in a farmer's field in France 5 years ago or so? What B-25 was that and what is its status today?

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Ain't no sunshine when she's gone!

Yes, it was the camouflaged one, named 'Russell's Raiders'. The wreck is in storage I believe. The pilot did very well to get it safely on the ground before the wing burned through.

It seems that this wreck will be restored in Melun-Villaroche, not far from Paris.

There is a museum there with a lot of interesting airframes (ex ethiopian firefly, IL-10, Bristol Bolingbroke,etc..) still unrestored. Some aircraft are flying and regularly displayed at airshows (skyraider, T-6).

They have an official website but it's only in french (http://www.mamv.fr/). According to the site, restoration has been started on the B-25 (probably static). Damages on the airframe are substantial as it sustained both impact and fire damages. I've seen pictures of it being recovered from the field and a restoration for flight seems unlikely, but who knows...

http://www.pyperpote.tonsite.biz/pages/musee_ampaa__mamvpag.html

Cheers,
phil

Hello,

It was in 2011: right engine fire just after take off, the crew elected to land in a field and considering the extend of the fire, it was the good decision.
Unfortunatly, a small dry river bed was in the middle of the field, hidden from the sky (and the crew didn't have other option) the contact was rough causing serious damages, but the crew escaped unhurt and it was the far more important thing.


This link shows a few pictures taken by one member of the team in charge dissambling and retrieving the plane:
http://www.crash-aerien.aero/forum/seine-et-marne-un-vieux-bombardier-s-ecrase-pres-de-l-a5b-t18959-30.html

The plane was already based in Melun Villaroche before the accident. From what I red on various french forum: the plane changed ownership after the accident and is still stored in Melun Villaroche airport. there is a restoration plan, but I don't know if it's a static or flying status restoration.

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Sorry for my bad English:-(

The Skyraider is no longer part of the AMPAA collection since it was exchanged with the B-25.

FMI: http://www.ffwm.fr/en/aircrafts/34-ad4n-skyraider

Hi BenG,

Do you know what is the plan for the B25 ? Static or flying status restoration ?

Thanks

Regards

Iclo

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Sorry for my bad English:-(

45-8811 B-25J-35-37-NC F-AZZU ex-N9621C, F-AZID, HB-RDE down in France on 31 May 2011

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