Warbird Information Exchange

I admit I'm a bit of a B-25 addict. I was lucky enough to meet Gene Fisher when he first started displaying Briefing Time sometime between 1978 and 1980. I was around 10 then and thought all the B-25s in the world were on the west coast. So, it was quite a shock to see those twin tails at a McGuire AFB airshow. Although some crewmembers told my folks that Gene didn't let anyone tour the plane, he allowed me to crawl from end to end. I'll never forget his generosity or the excitement of this first warbird experience.

I know the big picture details of the airplane's Catch-22 past, its time in Ohio, Gene's early restoration, and its eventual donation to MAAM ... but did anyone here really know Gene or any of the veteran WWII crewmen who flew with him in those early years? I corresponded for a few years with a mechanic named Bill McMillen (sp) but lost touch in my early college years. There were others whose autographs I have tucked away and sadly the names don't come immediately to mind.

Anyway - I'd love to learn more details about those early years of BT and what eventually happened to those kind gentlemen - as well as any stories on how she became such a well detailed restoration.

Ken

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"Take care of the little things and the big things will take care of themselves."

When I first started researching the B-25 in 75, Mr Fisher responded to all of my inquiries about his Briefing Time. He was always prompt in getting back to me with snail mail. When it looked like he was going to sell her, he told me he was keeping the spare horizontal stabilizer, and was going to make a bar out of it. I wonder if he ever did.

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

For a long tme they were pushing the false story of it being the actual a/c and even tried changing the registration

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Don't touch my junk!!

I'll have to dig in my files, but Mr Fisher told me it was painted to resemble the real Briefing Time

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

Here she is 11/28/08. Tucked in for the winter.

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Share your story: Rutgers Oral History Archive http://oralhistory.rutgers.edu/

Jack's right, Gary. There was a big article that told the whole story all the way to it being a replacement for aircraft that were ruined in a Mt Vesuvius eruption ! They backed off of those stories when they were called on it. Still a beautiful B-25, even without the hype !

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"You cannot invade the mainland United States. There would be a rifle behind each blade of grass..."
Admiral Isoruku Yamamoto

In all fairness, I remember that they were trying to say she was the real McCoy ... it was some time before the real serial number came out ... but I don't dwell on that, as the truth did eventually come out. Actually, I would compliment Gene and everyone who contributed to her on what a fine bomber BT has become. If you look at wartime photos of the original BT nose art, the level of detail in replicating the exact markings is tremendous - on par with HJGB - and we're talking about the 1978 paint job, not just her 2008 appearance. In some respects, ahead of its time.

http://www.warwingsart.com/12thAirForce/planes5.html

Absolutely a very nice B-25.

The Collings Foundation B-26C Invader may have been one of the first warbirds to wear her own photodocumented wartime noseart and colors. We put them on in about 89-90 timeframe.

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"You cannot invade the mainland United States. There would be a rifle behind each blade of grass..."
Admiral Isoruku Yamamoto

bump ...

Ken;
I just went and checked out MAAM on Saturday, and the B-25 is still looking good. I had to go and drool over their P-61 project though . Which by the way is coming along, can't wait to see the baby fire up and take to the skies.

Scott...................

Hi Guys,

A bit off topic, but I met Mr. Fisher way back when the MAAM was out of Harrisburg, PA and I was a still wet behind the ears A&P with the ink still drying on my tickets. I worked with the MAAM to get experience and Mr. Fisher had a Fairey Firefly project tucked back in the corner of the hangar. He introduced himself to me and asked if I would like to tackle the Firefly and I was honest and told him no Sir, and told him why. He admired my honesty, but I have often wondered what happened to the Firefely. Does anyone know ?

Paul

P.S. The MAAM's P2V and the B-25 were my very first warbirds I ever wrenched on and it warms my heart everytime I see Briefing Time at a show, now, close to 30 yrs later.

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Dammit Jim, I'm an Airplane Inspector/Mechanic not a Doctor !

This Firefly no doubt.

http://faireyfireflywd840.com/index.htm

T J

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Make my day, punk!

BT is perhaps the most complete B-25 flying. Interesting story about the aircraft identity deal. Never heard that before.

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Chris Henry
EAA Aviation Museum Manager

Since I was a kid, the B-25 was one of those planes that captures the imagination. I remember building the Monogram Snap-Tite 1/72 version that I didn't have to paint because of the OD plastic. I got to see my first one, the H model at the NEAM in the late 70's. Back then it was parked outside and was painted blue? (Pre-tornado)

It wasn't until 1984 at the Sussex NJ show when I was 16 that I saw my first live B-25. There were two! And I think I had the same reaction as the other poster -- "B-25's on the east coast?" That B-25 was Briefing Time and has been a fav ever since!

The other Mitchel was Carol Jean, the one painted the sand N. Africa colors that is now disassembled in the NASM I believe? I would love to see her together again.

Ahhh memories...........

Me too! Except I found a way to buy two so I could hang 'em in formation.