Warbird Information Exchange

If all goes right I plan on buying a B-25 ride sometime next week at the reunion. I haven't decided which one nor do I really have a favorite. What's the most authentic and/or complete B-25 that sells rides; what would your B-25 choice be?

_________________

Don't know if they'll be hopping rides, but the Mid Atlantic's B-25 "Briefing Time" is, for my money, among the most completely restored and detailed B-25s flying. Original Armor plate, Radios armaments etc. If I could only fly in one, that's the one I'd fly in. Of course I might be biased since I already did
Tom Bowers

How about "Tondelayo"? I would think it might be a good candidate.

_________________
Ain't no sunshine when she's gone!

As most here probably know, P Allen's B-25 is the most authentic looking but most likely will never give rides out to anyone. AFAIK

I think it is all very subjective - so many things were done to them in the field and even the factory lines were always changing and being modified.

Are you closer to any one particluar group - I would always say support your hometown group.

My experince has been that all the flyers have one thing or another that sets them apart. More imporntaly you will find, as I have mentioned before, the people that make them operate and the folks they are honoring are the most powerfull thing.

Regardles of how the aiprlane is equipped you will still be getting the feal, the sights, the sounds (and a lot of it) and the smells of what our fathers and grandfather experienced. Try to remember those people during your flight and be thankfull you are not getting shot at and you are sure to have a memorable experience no matter who choose.

Although not much of a flier any longer, "Apache Princess" seems to be very authentic from what I remember when I saw it at Oshkosh a number of years ago.

_________________
Ain't no sunshine when she's gone!

Another thing to consider is how much access you get in the aircraft once it's airborne. When I flew on Pacific Prowler we were able to crawl over the bomb bay to experience it nose to tail. I believe some offer front or rear only so if you want to crawl around more see who allows it.

_________________
-Al Sauer
http://www.flickr.com/photos/spookythecat

Among the non-flyers, for authenticity, it would be hard to beat Cavanaugh Flight Museum's "How 'Boot That?". Fully restored at a staggering cost, former Oshkosh Grand Champion, documented combat veteran. NICE.

_________________
Dean Hemphill, K5DH
Port Charlotte, Florida

Thanks for the feedback everybody!




I'm sort of in a dry area for warbirds or that would make the decision a little easier. I'm about 4-5 hours away from Yankee Warrior and Axis Nightmare, somewhat centered in between. Those are the closest B-25's to me that I can think of.




Definitely something I'd take into consideration. I'd want the flight deck or up front if I wasn't able to move about the plane freely.


I do have a pretty cool Miss Mitchell souvenir in the airplane room so she's high on my probability list.

_________________

You will also need the very best in ear plugs money can buy....

Go in Grumpy from Historic Flight Foundation. It's the oldest flying B-25 as it is a "D" model.

I would assume your budget, flight scheduling and B-25 availability at the reunion would be factors in your decision. Not all are offering rides and the one's that are may have a full list of folks wanting a ride. But I'm sure if there's a will (and enough money) there's a way. Good luck

Begs the questions: what's the going rate for a ride in a B-25 these days? Varies per plane? Varies per event? Varies per position in the plane?

Actually, the oldest flying B-25 (and oldest Mitchell period) is 'Miss Hap', which is a B-25 (no A, B, C, D, etc).
http://www.warbirdregistry.org/b25regis ... 02168.html

_________________

Isn't it interesting that while we can have this discussion of choices on one W.W.II medium bomber, you can't get a flight on any other W.W.II medium bomber from any combatant nation - even the other US types? Maybe an exception would be the Douglas A-26 Invader, but I don't know of any offering rides. The B-25 was a great bomber by any yardstick, but we must remember it wasn't the only one.

_________________
James K

"Switch on the underwater landing lights"
Emilio Largo, Thunderball.

www.VintageAeroWriter.com

The price for B-25 flights in Dayton are going to be level across the board. Mr. Kelly pooled all of the ride aircraft several weeks ago and came up with an average price so that everyone would charge the same for the flights. I believe the price was $450 per seat.

Outside of the event in Dayton, the prices range anywhere from $350-700 depending on the aircraft and the seating position.