Re: Gene Fisher and the Briefing Time B-25J
Sat Mar 17, 2012 12:59 pm
I was going through photo boxes and rediscovered these gems:
The first three are from Mr Conrad Krueger, Honeywell Flight Operations, Minneapolis. He sent me these photos in 1982 from the company archive. He said that the airplane was on lease from Tallmantz and used for radar altimeter testing in Atlantic City, NJ.
The next photo was sent to me by Bill McMillen; the caption reads, "Freedom Field, Medina, OH, 1978". I may be mistaken, but that may be Bill leaning over at the forward end of the nose gear door. IIRC, Bill was a wartime B-25 mechanic/crew chief in the Pacific.
The next photo was taken at a McGuire AFB Open House, year unknown.
The final shot is also from Mr. McMillen and says, "Oceana NAS, VA, 9-27-81".
Enjoy,
Ken
The first three are from Mr Conrad Krueger, Honeywell Flight Operations, Minneapolis. He sent me these photos in 1982 from the company archive. He said that the airplane was on lease from Tallmantz and used for radar altimeter testing in Atlantic City, NJ.
The next photo was sent to me by Bill McMillen; the caption reads, "Freedom Field, Medina, OH, 1978". I may be mistaken, but that may be Bill leaning over at the forward end of the nose gear door. IIRC, Bill was a wartime B-25 mechanic/crew chief in the Pacific.
The next photo was taken at a McGuire AFB Open House, year unknown.
The final shot is also from Mr. McMillen and says, "Oceana NAS, VA, 9-27-81".
Enjoy,
Ken
Re: Gene Fisher and the Briefing Time B-25J
Tue Mar 20, 2012 2:21 pm
I really thought this was going to generate ~some~ discussion ... photos that haven't seen this light of day in years ... Honeywell ... possibly BT's first airshow season with natural metal undersides. 
Re: Gene Fisher and the Briefing Time B-25J
Wed Mar 21, 2012 3:36 pm
That first photo of the airplane in the hangar is a standout. It appears to be painted in the standard Paul Mantz fleet scheme at the time...overall white with red rudders, wing tips, and engine nacelles. His main B-25 cameraship, N1203, had the same paint scheme for a while.
Also, I'd point out that there was never any question about the identity or serial of this B-25J, actually TB-25N, as it came from USAF surplus stocks in 1959 and the paperwork trail was quite clear. Any perceived confusion by anyone was was self induced.
You might also check out this page from my Catch 22 section at aerovintage as this is a photo page of this aircraft that was used in the movie: http://www.aerovintage.com/429939pix.htm
Okay, I'll also have to plug B-25 Mitchell in Civil Service here as these items slot right into the meat of that book....
http://www.aerovintage.com/b25.htm
Enough said.
Also, I'd point out that there was never any question about the identity or serial of this B-25J, actually TB-25N, as it came from USAF surplus stocks in 1959 and the paperwork trail was quite clear. Any perceived confusion by anyone was was self induced.
You might also check out this page from my Catch 22 section at aerovintage as this is a photo page of this aircraft that was used in the movie: http://www.aerovintage.com/429939pix.htm
Okay, I'll also have to plug B-25 Mitchell in Civil Service here as these items slot right into the meat of that book....
http://www.aerovintage.com/b25.htm
Enough said.
Re: Gene Fisher and the Briefing Time B-25J
Tue Sep 08, 2015 2:45 pm
I recently saw a picture of Briefing Time on the info board at the Bowmansville Service Plaza (PA Turnpike)...brought back a lot of memories of seeing her as a child. My father did some of the paint work on the nose.
Does anyone have pictures of BT during the late 70's restoration when she was in Middletown?
Thanks,
Chris Lattig
Harrisburg, PA
Does anyone have pictures of BT during the late 70's restoration when she was in Middletown?
Thanks,
Chris Lattig
Harrisburg, PA
Re: Gene Fisher and the Briefing Time B-25J
Tue Sep 08, 2015 6:36 pm
I was an avid volunteer with the MAAM for a few years and had 4 or so flights in Briefing time, including one magnificent ride in the nose. You learn more about warbirds in 10 minutes doing that than you will in a lifetime of reading or building models. Briefing time is still my favorite warbird a true classic and one of the very first on the East Coast. Thanks everybody who posted photos of her earlier days.
Tom Bowers
Tom Bowers