1:1 B-25 Mitchell project

[sakrison]

The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) is restoring its 1943 B-25 Mitchell "Berlin Express" to flying condition. As an EAA member and longtime volunteer, I will be spending a few afternoons a week helping with the restoration. I spent this afternoon and evening "getting intimate" with one of the aircraft's 14-cylinder Wright Cyclone engines, pulling exhaust stacks from the cylinders so the engine can be removed and overhauled.

On the airplane, the rear of the Cyclone is a rat's nest of pipes, tubes, and shrouds. Getting a socket wrench onto a bolt hidden deep in the maze and then finding room enough to swing the ratchet wrench was often a real challenge. I really could have used an eyeball on the end of my index finger.

Several years ago, I worked on the repair/restoration of the EAA's B-17, "Aluminum Overcast," pulling, cylinders, cleaning landing gear bays, installing guns and ammunition boxes. and other tasks. Crawling in and around that airplane, I gained a heightened appreciation for the young men and women who built, maintained, and flew these historic warbirds.

This B-25 has been on static display in the EAA's AirVenture Museum for many years. After restoration, it will be flown on tour as a "flying museum." I feel very privileged to take part in returning this beautiful aircraft to the air.

You can read about "Berlin Express" here:
https://www.eaa.org/…/1943-north-american-b-25h-mitchell---…

You can read about the restoration project here:
https://www.eaa.org/en/eaa/contribut...25-restoration

 

[Cybergrinder]

Very cool, there are so few airframes left from WW2, much less those can be restored to flyable condition. Enjoy!

 

[zathros]

OMG, to be able to touch such an aircraft, and one that was there!!! David, you really must be a special person to donate you time effort and expertise. Your devotion to the E.A.A. is to be commended. We would be honored to host any pictures you wish to post of the project. This is excellent news. I love seeing our countries heritage reclaimed, restored, and proudly displayed. Kudos to you and let us know if there is a link where donations can be sent. There may be some of us who could squeeze out a couple of bucks here and there. You can put the link in your signature if you wish.

Thanks for letting us know about this, that's fantastic. One of my favorite all time planes!!

Quote from E.A.A.:

EAA
Published on May 23, 2017
After sitting on static display for more than 20 years, EAA’s North American B-25 Mitchell medium bomber is now undergoing a full restoration to airworthy status. Thanks to volunteers from EAA chapters around the country, under the leadership of Chapter 237 in Blaine, Minnesota, we’ve already made significant progress. Watch for future updates on the web, our social media channels, and in Sport Aviation magazine. If you’d like to help, see www.EAA.org/B-25 for details.

 

[Gandolf50]

DROOL!!! Just once, just a few laps around the field!! I'll treat her like my own, I promise!