The Twilight Zone: King Nine Will Not Return

[spriso]

I have often wondered about a partial episode of The Twilight Zone that I saw many years ago regarding a crash of a WWII bomber in the desert where the only survivor is the captain of the aircraft.

I did a quick Google search and found the episode that I saw was called “King Nine Will Not Return”, and it first aired in September 1960. I also found that old episodes of The Twilight Zone are now available on DVD.

With nearly nothing to do last night, I visited the local movie rental place and was able to pick up Volume 7 of The Twilight Zone with this episode on it.

The story obviously was inspired the “Lady Be Good” story, but with a Twilight Zone twist.

There is some fantastic footage of a B-25 bomber that has belly-landed in the desert. Other than the obvious Hollywood replacement upper turret, the aircraft looks quite stock and complete.

I did get a good giggle when the main character, Captain James Embry, leans against the rear elevator and it falls off—I was thinking what a nice desk that piece would make…

Anyone have any additional information regarding this aircraft? I assume it was probably a Tallmanz aircraft?

I am sure that the amazing WIX’ers will have the full back story, serial number, and great info on this…

Michael

[dollar65]

Some answers here:

http://www.warbirdregistry.org/b25regis ... 32354.html

L

I sure hope that B-25C is restored someday soon.

There was a made for television movie in the 70s also using a B-25 as a sort of "Lady Be Good" twisted tale. It was a ghost movie of sorts. I forget the title.

[Jack Cook]

I beleive the title of that movie was SOLE SURVIVOR with Richard Basehart (sp) but not 100% sure.

[Warhawk]

I beleive the title of that movie was SOLE SURVIVOR with Richard Basehart (sp) but not 100% sure.

Yup, thats the one. I haven't seen that movie since I was a kid.

[Jack Cook]

As I remember now Vince Evans also starred in the movie as the AF investigator. The name of the B-25 was the Home Run has the crew were baseball players. Basehart was the new Bomb/nav who bailed out on them during a rough mission (the #$%**??!!ing coward!). Has I recall the airplane was displayed for a while in its crashed state at the Air Museum in Chino. Where is it now???
Also, what B-25D (D?) was used in the great Andy Griffith movie 'No time for sergeants'?? Everytime I see the last 45 minutes of that movie I laugh so hard I almost start heaving up internal organs. Everytime we fly our B-25 it's sort of like our own 'Operation Promethius'.

Check Scott Thompson's B-25 book for that one, it's probably the one listed as bought by Paul Mantz in 1957 with no further record. I'd give you the serial but I can't find the book right now... By the way, did the hurricanes in Florida put that poor waterpark B-25 out of its misery?

Found the book - B-25D N7493C 43-3376. No info between when Mantz bought it in '57 until it was reported destroyed in '70. A parts bin for his camera birds, maybe?