B 25 Mitchell 44-31508/N6578 willful neglect in Franklin, VA

[fockewulf68]

I'm a private pilot and I often refuel in Franklin, VA where for the last 10+ years, a B-25 has been sitting outside. SN 44-31508N and N-6578D. It's registered toRio Grand Aviation in Fredericksburg, TX. I think behind that is Dan Powell in Boerne, TX and some other LLC. There is some effort to hide ownership as the FBO won't talk about the owner. Some local I'm told pays a ramp fee.

I'm not a mechanic, but I know when someone has abandoned a plane. There are birds nesting inside it etc... one engine is missing. I even submitted photos to Warbird Digest in 2007 and they printed it in their magazine in hopes that someone may notice....

About 100 yards from it is parked a PT26, also in poor condition and registered to the same person. I think he's either crazy or using this as some tax write off.

I've sent several letters offering to purchase, trade, or arrange for a super donation to a 501c with no response.


I hope this forum is a good place to spread the word. Good luck to anyone able to crack this.

I have several photos and would post them, but I can't figure out how this works....copy paste?
Sincerly
RAM

[GARY HILTON]

Welcom to WIX RAM....to post pictures here, ya need to go thru Photobucket....I'd like to see them...G

[Holedigger]

Best way to post pics is to have an account with Photobucket or other online pic place, copy the specific tag line off of it and paste that into your post here and voila, the pic shows up. Sounds interesting, and a sad end for once proud aircraft. Hate to see that happen.

[Myles]

If you go to airport-data.com there are a couple of pics there.

Myles


http://www.airport-data.com/

[planenutti]

RAM,
The B-25 at Franklin has been the subject of more then a few threads on here. Not only is it willful neglect but also a legal nightmare. The fact that the prop rotted off the PT should speak volumes as to the concerns of the ownership.
Bob

[armyjunk2]

RAM take a look at the bottom of this page on how to post pics http://tinyurl.com/2887scw

[Lightjug]

I recently saw this discussed In This Thread

[JohnH]

This should be illegal.

JH

[fockewulf68]

Thanks you guys. Here are some photos.
Planenutti. I'm happy others know about this, but because they do and the plane is still sitting there means it must be complicated. Any more details on the ownership and legal issues?

I have pics of the PT as well before the prop fell off and with moss on it.

Funny there is a branch of the Commemorative Air Force at Franklin with a hangar about 50 yards from the B 25. I'd be sooo tempted if I lived down there to make a move.

Here are some recent and 3 yr old photos mixed.

[planenutti]

RAM, It is very complicated. I am a staff member of the local CAF group, I have done work on the B-25 back in better days. These days, I see it, I worry about the loss of two assets that can't be replaced, but I don't go near it because of what I know, what I have heard and what I can guess. I have said this before, if someone would want to save those airframes, hire a GOOD aviation lawyer and do an extensive title search. That will give anyone the scope of what they are thinking of getting into.

[marine air]

Any pictures of the PT-26?

[B-25 C]

I hope her luck hasn't run out completely. I would jump at the chance to fix her up even if it was static. Flying would be better! Shame on the owner.

[Braveheart51]

RAM, It is very complicated. I am a staff member of the local CAF group, I have done work on the B-25 back in better days. These days, I see it, I worry about the loss of two assets that can't be replaced, but I don't go near it because of what I know, what I have heard and what I can guess. I have said this before, if someone would want to save those airframes, hire a GOOD aviation lawyer and do an extensive title search. That will give anyone the scope of what they are thinking of getting into.

Plane, PM me, I will buy it right now,no tire kicking.

Please explain in the PM your concerns.

Thanx BH

[whistlingdeath77]

this is just terrible. i didn't think this happened in todays warbird world

[Andy Smith]

So sad to see such neglect as I have some very happy memories of this particular plane. In a former life it was converted into a camera ship and was used to film "The Battle of Britain" in 1968. I was fortunate enough to scrounge several rides in the plane amounting to about 20 flying hours. Great fun though quite dangerous when I look back at it. We even spent one sunday morning flying across central London and overflew Buckingham Palace at 500 feet several times as we filmed background plates. I hope someone rescues her but the photographs show how much work and expense will be required to get her airworthy again.



Andy Smith
Former film editor,
LS8 glider, RV7 under construction,
almost finished.