B-25J Mitchell project for sale / trade

This B-25J Mitchell with Con # 108-37583 and assigned USSAF serial 44-31508, came of the assembly line in Kansas City, MO in 1944 as a B-25J-30. During its USAAF service it was converted to TB-25N specs and used as a radar trainer for USAF F-89 RSO.

Nil damage records can be found for the aircraft during service life.

This B-25J was listed for disposal in late 1958, demilitarised and in January 1960 offered for sale at Olmstead AFB. It was acquired by N.A.Kalt / Stinson Field Aircraft in San Antonio, TX and registered with the FAA as N6578D, subsequently sold to Mr. Strube of Marietta, GA. During October 1961 this B-25J was sold to Trans Calypso Inc. in Miami, FL. and then sold again in 1965 to L.H. Patin in Miami, FL.

In June 1967 it was acquired by John Hawke / Euramericair Inc. / Airspeed International Inc. in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. and in November 1967 was modified into a camera ship in preparation for use in the Hollywood Movie named ‘The Battle of Britain’ and flown to Bovington, United Kingdom, arriving on December 15,1967.

Between 1967-1968, this B-25 was used as the camera ship during the filming and was flown in the United Kingdom and Spain. As a safety requirement during filming the aircraft was painted in bright colours to identify it in the air and was referred to as the ‘Psychedelic Monster’. On January 10, 1969, the B-25J was flown back to the United States.

The history of this B-25J between 1970 and 1975 is vague and no solid reports have been located by the current owners, however it appears that sometime after returning to the USA N6578D was photographed parked at Caldwell-Wright Field, NJ and then reported as derelict until 1977.

It was then acquired during March 1975 by Ten Plus One Inc and then later in 1977 was acquired by Tom Reilly's Flying Tigers Warbird Museum. Restoration of the B-25 was begun at Caldwell-Wright Field, then on February 3, 1979, ferried to Kissimmee Airport, Florida.

The B-25J was then acquired by the B-25 Bomber Group Inc, Ocalla, FL. and sometime during 1981, restoration to airworthy status was completed and the B-25J was presented in a natural aluminium finish, complete with the nose art "Chapter XI" with the 5th Air Force logo and "25th Bomber Group" [an 8th Air Force unit that served in ETO] with tail serial number 44-31508.

In August 1994 the B-25J is recorded as owned by Dan Powell / Fair Oaks Ranch in Boerne, TX. and painted in the markings of "Lucky Lady" with the nose art of a woman atop a pair of dice.

On June 16, the B-25J 1999 was purchased by Rio Grande Aviation in McAllen, TX and withdrawn from flying and left parked at Franklin, VA where it was reported derelict with one engine removed and bird infestation obvious.

In 2014 the B-25J was secured by Reevers Warbirds who had it dissembled and shipped to South Australia where it was initially re-assembled, inspected / assessed. In 2015 the aircraft was placed into dry storage.

By 2016 the B-25 was completed in a static format until research convinced the owners to present the aircraft as a Dutch B-25 that flew in Australia in WW2 with the Netherlands East Indies Air Force (NEIAF) and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).

As a result of discussions, it was decided that the B-25 would be presented to the public in 2017 as B-25J of the NEIAF named ‘PULK’ after one of the B-25’s that served in the 18^th Squadron NEIAF/RAAF from Batchelor in the Northern Territory during WW2.

The aircraft was completed as a static with paint schemes completed to NEIAF wartime colours.

In 2018 - 19 further inspections were completed and the aircraft was taken to Gulfstream Aviation for strip down and review. Subsequent Engineering and Technical assessments identified the aircraft’s potential for return to flight and numerous areas of concern identified were engineered for repairs. By 2022 (post Covid-19 in Australia) the B-25 had progressed to being broken down into its subsections for further inspections and ongoing repairs.

By late 2024, major repairs to the wing centre section (port side) had been completed and reassembly was commenced.

All repairs, replacements and refits have been completed to the necessary Australian Standards with all work documented and performed by qualified technicians.

Current Status - The B-25 is in storage at Parafield Airport (South Australia) having minor repairs and fit outs completed however, the lack of access to suitable workshop space has slowed progress and the owners have now decided that the B-25 deserves to be completed and to achieve that it needs a new home and so is offered for sale as is where is.

Photographs and paperwork will only be supplied to genuine parties as we’ve had previous fake buyers looking to secure information and photos for publication. Reevers has maintained discretion of the restoration at the request of the owners who reserve their rights over all photographs and information pertaining to this B-25.

The B-25 is externally very complete with minor repairs required to some control surfaces and to transport damage on the rear lower fuselage section. The project will require new full set of fuel and oil tanks complete with pumps and electrical systems and bomb bay doors.

There is one only oil filter so 3 more will need to be secured. Due to Australia’s strict gun laws the focus of this rebuild has been on return to flight necessities and no military fittings, other than seats, radios etc have been secured. There is no upper turret for this project as it was planned to blank over this station to effect airworthiness.

When the aircraft arrived in Australia both engines and prop assemblies were unserviceable. Reevers has secured serviceable Wright Cyclone R2600 engines (half-life) and a full set of serviceable props and hubs.

The project will require ongoing repairs to the internal sub-assemblies on the starboard side of the wing centre section. New Made wing attach angles have been procured and the Port side has been measured, cut and trial fitted for confirmation of data and awaiting permanent fitting.

New control yokes will be required and inspections of the torque transfer tubes in the lower cockpit section will be required. Some soft structures (stringers, brackets) will also require replacement. Reevers has adopted a policy of replacing like for like and only manufactures new when parts are unavailable.

Undercarriage assemblies are complete but will require overhaul and wheels will need to be inspected. Tires must be replaced. Both engine cowl rings will need replaced and new cockpit and nose glass will need to be sourced.

Many new old stock parts have been secured and come with the project like the rear gunner’s canopy and many smaller fittings.

Asking price is approx $750,000 AUD / $500,000 USD (whichever is highest at time of sale). The owners would consider a part trade for a smaller airworthy aircraft to the 50% value ($375,000 AUD) ($250,000 USD)