A quick stroll around Buster (FHC B-25)

[Dan Newcomb]

As a frequent visitor to Aero Trader consulting with Carl and keeping his kids in new shoes over the last few years, I have had the opportunity to watch the progress of this plane’s rebuild. On one visit Carl took Jeff and I on a complete and thorough inspection of the interior and exterior. I can tell you that the level of detail and authenticity that P. A. insisted on was extreme. As an example I was shown the main landing gear assembly paint scheme. Few would know that one of the arms was painted a different shade of green then the rest. This is a detail that will never be seen unless you are a mechanic! The goal was to create a B-25 that looked “exactly” like it rolled out of the North American plant in 1944. All parts are numbered. All colors are correct. Everything is in its proper place. It is a time capsule. It is definitely the most impressive restoration that I have ever seen. I doubt anybody can top this due to the extreme cost.

[JohnTerrell]

Al, thank you for sharing these excellent photos of the aircraft! Taigh, thank you as well for the information on those reverse cowl flaps - I had been wondering about those!

It is neat to see also the interior photos that FHC and Warbird Digest have been posting on Facebook. In a photo within the nose, as posted by FHC, you can see an elevation support assembly in which the rear of the nose-mounted swivel machine gun is connected, keeping the gun at the same aiming point as the two fixed nose-mounted machine guns. The nose-mounted swivel machine gun is also wired with a solenoid, just as the two fixed-mounted guns are. These details obviously are recreated from the original strafing configuration of the Burma Bridge Busters, and something I have never seen before in a B-25.

Also, the cockpit of the aircraft is completely stock original, with nothing at all modified or missing from the original B-25J cockpit configuration in order to house modern avionics. The avionics controls which are present, are extremely minimal, and likely easily removable, just as they are in FHC's P-47 and P-51. So in all of these aircraft, if you were to just undo some fasteners, there would be nothing to suggest that you were not sitting in an aircraft that was just manufactured in 1944/1945.

[Ken]

In all fairness to my previous question regarding whether or not the belly was painted, I'm going to guess that Al's post of a wartime overpaint is of an airplane on Corsica, from the unit which MAAM's "Briefing Time" is painted to represent. We know from photos (such as this and of the original BT) that those airplanes definitely had bare bottoms. Given the only poor photo we have (so far) seen of the original Buster, it would be hard to know if her belly were gray or unpainted.

The question of the one-piece pilot's windshield is a valid one as well.

None of these points meant to be negative. I simply prefer to know the exact "way it was".

One day, maybe I'll be lucky enough to be a 90-year old that somebody invites to sit in their restored C-130 to see if everything is "just right". Heck, at the rate we're going, they'll still be flying those same airplanes and a complete restoration won't be necessary ....

Ken

[Ken]

One other point of curiosity: The airplanes in the 340th BG that were overpainted in theatre did not paint their window frames nor did they overspray the serial factory number stencil aft of the pilot's side window; the stencil is usually seen as a small patch of NMF. One could guess that all other factory stencils were overpainted and were no longer visible.

Buster's serial stencil is easily visible. I wonder how they would have done this in Burma and if Buster is missing many of its run-of-the-mill stencils (unlike Wild Cargo) to simulate the overpainting.

Ken

[the330thbg]

OMFG!!!!

She is an absolute beauty!

She looks just like she rolled off the assembly line (nay the field mod paint job over the canopy) but please, please do not let that detract from her. She is perfect!!!!!

[spookythecat]

In all fairness to my previous question regarding whether or not the belly was painted, I'm going to guess that Al's post of a wartime overpaint is of an airplane on Corsica, from the unit which MAAM's "Briefing Time" is painted to represent.

Ruthie is indeed a Corsica Mitchell. It was the first reference to the unpainted framing I could recall.

[Lightjug]

Great pics as alway Al, thank you for sharing

Mark

[makin' boost]

Thanks for posting the pictures. Now, I need to make to trip up I-5 for a visit ...............

[hahnej]

Ok, some questions on stuff I've never noticed on a B-25 before:

1. What is the purpose of the little windows on the side of the aircraft at under the horizontal stab, by the waist windows, navigator's area, cockpit armorplate, etc.

2. What is the round hole on the bottom between the tail guns' spent shell chute and the skid?

3. How do the exhaust stacks work? Is the front (painted) part a fairing and the rear (bare) part the actual stack?

4. What are the 'bumps' on the left side rear at the insignia behind the waist window?

[gary1954]

Ok, some questions on stuff I've never noticed on a B-25 before:

1. What is the purpose of the little windows on the side of the aircraft at under the horizontal stab, by the waist windows, navigator's area, cockpit armorplate, etc. Pop em open and get some fresh air

2. What is the round hole on the bottom between the tail guns' spent shell chute and the skid? camera

3. How do the exhaust stacks work? Is the front (painted) part a fairing and the rear (bare) part the actual stack? looks painted and natural metal together
4. What are the 'bumps' on the left side rear at the insignia behind the waist window?

I believe that too is for air circulation - been known to b wrong though

[rwdfresno]

Ok, some questions on stuff I've never noticed on a B-25 before:

1. What is the purpose of the little windows on the side of the aircraft at under the horizontal stab, by the waist windows, navigator's area, cockpit armorplate, etc. Pop em open and get some fresh air

2. What is the round hole on the bottom between the tail guns' spent shell chute and the skid? camera

3. How do the exhaust stacks work? Is the front (painted) part a fairing and the rear (bare) part the actual stack? looks painted and natural metal together
4. What are the 'bumps' on the left side rear at the insignia behind the waist window?

I believe that too is for air circulation - been known to b wrong though

Gary is right as he usually is on all counts when it comes to B-25s. Just to add a little more detail:


3. The natural metal part is still part of the exhaust fairing. It is the stainless steel "tip" of the fairing.
4. Those are both airs-scoops. I believe that one scoop is for fresh air an the other is for the cabin heater if I recall correctly.

[Ken]

Over the years, few warbird B-25s have had correct upper dorsal turrets. This one is a beauty. Does anyone know - have more turret parts been discovered or are they being scratch built?

Ken

[Lynn Allen]

Well done Al as always... Thanks for sharing them.....

[Chappie]

Lots of little details you've shown here that have not noticed before. The gunsight in the cockpit is a cool touch and the tail gunner position is wonderfully detailed.


Chappie

[gary1954]

Its HAMMER TIME!! Carl and his crew Nailed it. Nailed it!