2012 - 40th Anniversary of the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum. Our history continues...
Early in 1975, Alan Ness and Dennis Bradley began to look for a B-25. B-25's had been in the news as several were being sold by the producers of the movie "Catch 22". A friend of theirs in Pennsylvania knew of a B-25J located in Wilmington, Deleware that was available for $12,000. An April trip to Wilmington found the aircraft in reasonable shape with run-out engines. The deal was struck, that included spares, a ground unit and a WWII jeep, and a crew was sent down to prepare the B-25 for the ferry flight to Mount Hope.
Originally, the aircraft had been delivered into civilian hands late in 1945. It had apparently been constructed from spares at North American Aviation, since the aircraft had equipment representative of several marks of B-25. It was used as a corporate transport for a number of years and was last used in this role by the Bendix Corp. When acquired by CWH, it had been a ramp queen for several years.
In May of 1975, after several mechanical delays, the CWH's B-25 Mitchell C-GCWM finally arrived at Hamilton Airport flown by Harry Kelly. Apparently, on the arrival pass, the bomb bay doors were opened and a load of watermelons were dropped. Airport officials weren't too impressed.
During the summer and fall of 1975, the B-25 was parked in the hangar for restoration. During restoration, many parts and systems were either replaced or repaired plus the executive interior of ten passenger seats was removed. Member Bill Gregg donated the funds for two zero time engines in cans. For a very short period of time, the B-25 was flown in its natural aluminum finish with RCAF roundels added and "77".
The CWH B-25 was officially test flown on May 8, 1976 and soon after was painted in the colour scheme of a B-25 of 98 Squadron RAF as flown by RCAF F/O John W.D. Pudney of Vancouver, BC. Pudney was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) for his actions on December 3, 1944 as outlined in the following excerpt from the London Gazette on April 10, 1945:
"F/O Pudney has throughout his operational tour, shown outstanding skill and keenness. During a sortie to the Venlo Bridge in December 1944, one engine of his aircraft was put out of action. Despite this, he pressed home a telling attack, afterwards returning to base, where he accomplished a successful landing. Many of this officer's missions have been to heavily defended targets. He has always set a magnificent example of courage, ability, and outstanding determination."
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Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum
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