Folder B25

DOMAINE “ASTRID” DOMEIN Braine-l’Alleud

Eigenbrakel

Next phase of 69 appartements and shops Launching foreseen for September 2005 Commercialisation : Immobilière d'Argenteuil s.a. Chaussée Reine Astrid 88 - 1420 Braine-L'Alleud

Project by Brussels Air Museum Foundation www.bamf.be

PROMOTOR

G E NE RA L CO NTRACTOR

JAC QUES DELENS MANAG ING DIR EC TOR

MAR C JOWAY MANAG ING DIR EC TOR

S ALE S

FR ANC IS ALBER TYN G S M : 0475 55 94 08 Immo.argenteuil@ skynet.be

A

B-25

BACK IN BELGIUM

A B-25 BACK IN BELGIUM You have today the opportunity to take an active part in the growth of Aviation Heritage in Belgium. A group of individuals lead by the Brussels Air Museum Foundation has acquired a North American B-25J Mitchell to be preserved in Belgium. With your help, this airplane will be transported, restored and displayed in Belgium as a memorial for those many Belgians who fought in the B-25 equipped 98, 180 and 320 Squadron during WWII. Since many years, some initiatives of the same kind permitted to increase the Aviation Heritage in other countries. The Netherlands is a good example, where public initiatives permitted to offer to the Dutch air Museum significant aircraft like the Lockheed Constellation, Brewster Buffalo and Boeing 747. Until now it was not easy to support an aircraft preservation in Belgium. You have now this opportunity. Anyone can participate You can contribute by: Giving funds to pay the restoration of the plane. Financial contribution of more than 30 Euro are tax deductible. -

Helping in restoring and displaying the B-25.

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Gathering information about the B-25, Belgians flying B-25, B-25 operations over Belgium, history of our aircraft.

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Helping on support activities for the project (events, publication, web presence).

By helping the project, you will: Be co-owner of the project. Take an active part in the growth of Aviation Heritage in Belgium. Be informed about this project and others Aviation heritage projects in Belgium. Have your name listed in the official B-25 supporters list.

Your contribution is essential. We are actually looking for the following competencies. Restoration: funds or expertise is needed to restore the plane to a high exhibit standard.

www.bamf.be

Join us by giving funds to Bank Account ING 310-1844762-05 Mention B-25 Project Brussels Air Museum Foundation a.s.b.l. www.bamf.be c/o Royal Army Museum Parc du Cinquantenaire/Jubelpark, 3 1000 Brussels For more information or if you want to offer your help, contact: Vincent Jacobs 02 / 6525727

http://users.skynet.be/BAMRS/BARMS.htm

Didier Campion

( 02/2162153 ) 0475 / 916604 [email protected]

Yves Duwelz

( 02 / 7630019 (after 20 : 00) [email protected]

The North American B-25 Mitchell: a short type history

Fire fighting, warbirds and film stars

The North American B-25 Mitchell was the first bomber designed by the North American Corporation. The U.S Army Air corps ordered the aircraft before the first flight, which took place on August 19th, 1940. 130 airplanes were already in service at the time of the Pearl Arbour attack on December 7th, 1941.

Available in quantity as surplus after the end of World War Two, numerous B-25 were used as engine test bed, fire fighting aircraft and light transport aircraft. Some others were also preserved as warbirds and still appear in air shows.

Less than six months after Pearl harbour, on April 18th 1942, 16 B-25’s took off from the U.S. Hornet aircraft carrier during the legendary raid led by Jimmy Doolittle that proved the vulnerability of Japan. The Mitchell was used throughput the war in the Pacific, Mediterranean and European theatre of operation.

The B-25 was also used in numerous films. Some were modified to be used as flying filming platform. B-25 were so used for the filming of “The Battle of Britain” or more recently on the stage of “Menphis Belle” Mitchell’s were the stars of classic movies as “Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo” featuring Spencer Tracy and Robert Mitchum about the Doolittle raid on Tokyo. “Catch 22” and “Hannover street” were two others movies were some B-25 were grouped to represent typical WWII US bombers.

From D-Day preparation to the Victory. The major operator of B-25 in Northern Europe was the R.A.F. The first B-25 reached UK in September 1942 to equip 98 & 180 squadron. Further squadrons converted including 305 Squadron (Polish) and 320 (Dutch), this unit including many Belgian aviators. In preparation of the landings of June 1944, the Mitchell squadrons of the R.A.F. operated against the V1 sites in Northern France and communication centres (bridges, roads, railways stations). During the Normandy operations and later, the units of the R.A.F. flying the Mitchell were incorporated in the 2nd Tactical Air Force to form the 139 wing and to support tactically the advance of the Allied armies. From October 1944, the 139 Wing was transferred from UK airbases to Melsbroek. The Mitchell’s operated from there until April 1945, later moving to the Netherlands and Germany. After the Second World War, B-25’where used as trainers under the designation TB-25. Some others were used as liaison aircraft. On May 21, 1960, the last serving aircraft, a VB-25J staff transport, was retired from service. Your B-25’s history Delivered to USAAF as 44-30925, 19??. - Stored at Davis Monthan AFB, AZ, Aug. 1958-1960. - Sold to National Metals Co, Phoenix, AZ, 1960. - Registered as N9494Z. John Carter & Will Baptist, Sacramento, CA, July 1960-1964. Empco-Aire, Lakeview, OR, Aug. 1964-1966. Virgil W. Ellis, Boulder, CO, Mar. 1966. John C. Estes, Beaumont, TX, Apr. 1966-1968. Filmways Inc, Hollywood, CA, Dec. 1968-1970. Flew in movie Catch-22 as "Laden Maiden", 1968-1969. Confederate Air Force, Harlingen, TX, Feb. 1970-1972. Wayne Turner/Michael Zahn, Lubbock, TX, Feb. 1972-1975. John J. Stokes, San Marcos, TX, Sept. 1975-1978. - Flew as 430925/61/"Laden Maiden". John Hawke/Visionair International Inc, Miami, FL, Apr. 1978-1995. - Arrived in Luton, UK, May 11, 1978. - Used in movie "Hannover Street". - Flew as 151632/"Georgeous George-Ann" (later "Thar She Blows") - Stored Blackbushe after filming, 1978-1982. - Trucked from Blackbushe to Wellesbourne Mountford, Oct. 1982. - Trucked to Coventry, and stored, 1985-1994. World Wide Aircraft Ltd, Aug. 1995. Removed from USCR, Aug. 14, 1995. Aces High Ltd, North Weald, Aug. 18, 1995-1998. - Registered as G-BWGR. - Stored, dismantled. David Copley/Imperial Aviation Group, North Coutes (later Sandtoft), UK, 1998-2001. - Stored pending restoration to airworthy, Sandtoft, 2001. Source : http //www.warbirdregistry.org/b25registry/b25-4430925.html

our B-25 is a Movie Star appearing in “Catch 22” & “Hannover Street”