Lotsa questions on the B-25B

[Taigh Ramey]

If you want a serious B-25 manual then in my mind the best one is the B-25C and D maintenance manual.



(Image shamelessly stolen from eBay)

A lot of the information and systems will cross over to later H and J but this is the best manual I have come across for pure technical information, illlustrations and awesome artwork.

This manual is a North American Factory produced manual that is beautifully written and illustrated that beats the military manuals hands down. Most of the NAA factory manuals, and Boeing factory manuals too, are great works of art and a solid investment.

You can find the NAA B-25 C/D maintenance manuals in many formats these days from originals to copys to electronic versions on CD's. It is a very large book over 4 inches thick,m 700 some pages as I recall, of wonderful inmformation. Here is a link to some originals and copies avaiulable on eBay:

http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_nkw=b-25c+maintenance+manual&_sacat=0&_odkw=b-25c+maintenance+manual&_osacat=0&_trksid=p3286.c0.m270.l1313&_rdc=1

They are spendy at $200+ per original but to me it is worth is as they are chocked full of color. A color copy would run a lot more than that. These are not terribly rare manuals as a lot must have beren produced and they show up regularly for sale. Condition sure varies so if you are going after an original then be sure it is in good shape as the spine can be weak with age on such a large manual. They originally came in an OD canvas carying case with two handles slipped on it like a dust jacket but finding these original covers is very rare.

This guys CD looks like it is a good one with 20 B-25 manuals including the one mentioned above. $28 for the CD:

http://cgi.ebay.com/DVD-ROM-20-MANUALS-B-25-BILLY-MITCHELL-BOMBER-/120657475789?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c17bef8cd

You can't beat the original manuals for the details and technical information we seek as most books published these days can't go into this kind of detail without putting most of the readers to sleep.

I hope this helps,

Taigh

[warbird1]

I like "B-25 Mitchell: The Magnificent Medium," N. L. Avery, Phalanx.
When I was a kid I carried around both of the Squadron/Signal books on the B-25 in my backpack. I spent many an hour reading those books in class when I was supposed to be doing work. I must have read those books at least 100 times over. They were totally destroyed by age 10. I built a plastic B-25 model for each of the paint schemes in the B-25 Mitchell In Action "centerfold" LOL.

I was the same way as a kid. I had nearly every Squadron/Signal book made in the 70's and 80's, including the B-25 one when I was growing up. I too, spent many an hour studying those books, among others, rather than studying.

Thanks for the book recommendation, I'll look into it.

[rwdfresno]

I agree Taigh, the NAA B-25C/D maintenance manual is fabulous. My dad got me one along with the pilot's manual for my birthday when I was 12 or so and I think it is one of the nicest manuals I've ever seen. Great photographs throughout.

Ryan

[warbird1]

If you want a serious B-25 manual then in my mind the best one is the B-25C and D maintenance manual...............

Good point, Taigh. I guess I never thought about going to the original technical manuals! Those primary sources would be THE definitive reference sources. Thanks for the links, I'll check those out.

[The Inspector]

I've got the Pilot Training Manual for the B-25 AAF Manual No. 50-11 1 Apr. 1945
and The Handbook Maintenance Instructions USAF series TB-25L, L1, and N. T.O. 1B-25 (T) L-2 15 Mar. 1955

[Taigh Ramey]

My dad got me one along with the pilot's manual for my birthday when I was 12 or so and I think it is one of the nicest manuals I've ever seen

Now that's a Dad!

My Dad was a B-29 Navigator and was also my hero. I give him credit, or blame, for me being a Warbird nerd.

I have been meaning to call your Dad to talk Harpoon. I hope all is well with you Ryan.

Taigh

[Coert Munk]

BTW, what is the "definitive" book on B-25's? Is there one? I have several B-25 books, but none of them I have go into the level of detail to make them a reference book.

Any suggestions from anyone?

There's no "definitive" book in my opinion, it depends on what you're interested in. The manuals quoted by Taigh are good and show a lot of details, both on maintenance as well as on the operation. Norm Avery wrote "The Magnificent Medium" and Wolf's "B-25 Mitchell: the Ultimate Look" gives many details. I found some 4-5 meters of books on the B-25, articles and stories in magazines since the forties not included... Interested in a listing? Send me a pm please.
Kind regards,

Coert

[dane]

The B-25 that was recently found in the lake wasn't that an early B-25? It was lost during a training flight.

[rwdfresno]

The B-25 that was recently found in the lake wasn't that an early B-25? It was lost during a training flight.

Hello, yes the Lake Murray recovery in 2005 was B-25C 41-12634 that was lost on a training flight. There was also another B-25C recovered from Lake Greenwood in the 1980s. There are a number B-25C/Ds around, with 43-3318 and 43-3634 both being airworthy.

Ryan

[The Inspector]

I thought 12634 had the lower turret still installed

[warbird1]

I thought 12634 had the lower turret still installed

Yes, it did. AFAIK, it is the only B-25 with a surviving ventral turret - quite rare!


Also, didn't this B-25 change hands recently? I thought I had read that it got sold or went to another museum. Details?

[Chris Brame]

Looks like it's been sold (see below) - tried to talk my boss into it but he bought a motorhome instead .

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