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We're including these pages as an update point for B-25 news. We'll post information garnered from any variety of sources, and notate that source at the end of the item. If anyone has anything they'd like to add, please let us know.
January 2018
- Catch-22 Redux?: In November 2017, the Hollywood folks were all aflutter that actor George Clooney would direct and star in a six-part miniseries remake of Catch-22. It would seem that Paramount Television and another production company had joined hands and signed Clooney to the project which, as far as is known, does not actually yet have a purchaser (i.e. network or cable outlet). Those familiar with B-25 lore, as readers here are presumed to be, know that Catch-22 is the iconic 1961 Joseph Heller made in to the less-than-stellar-but-still-not-that-bad 1970 movie of the same name. What George and gang might do to add value is of some doubt, but nonetheless it is of interest as to how this mini-series would be filmed and if any real, actual, gasoline-burning B-25s might be involved.
Well, no information about this has yet surfaced. B-25 industry insiders that I know of have not heard anything about what might be in the works. And, since Paramount was involved in the original film and there were many hours of unused film footage remaining in the film vaults after the final edit was completed, one would suspect a dive into that film might be in the works if this project ever sees the light of day. Also, computer generated graphics are dangling right in front of any film producer these days. One would expect at least of couple of real B-25s would make it the filming set, however, so we shall see.
For those worried that the old and greying Clooney would play the central role of the young Capt. Yossarian, you can relax. Clooney reportedly would play Col. Cathcart, the role played by Martin Basalm in the film.
- Another Catch-22 Item of Interest: In the painstaking and tireless research I did for the above item, I did come across a YouTube upload of the pilot episode for a proposed 1973 TV series based on the film. Not surprisingly, it was to be called Catch-22 and, also not surprisingly, it was not picked up by any network and made it over the airwaves only once. By the wonders of YouTube, you too can see it now.
As a bit of background, it starred a youngish Richard Dreyfuss and was also produced by Paramount Television. Viewing it now, it can be seen that it relied on footage shot for the film in Mexico. New material was shot on location at El Mirage out in the California high-desert north of Los Angeles. Tallmantz Aviation, which did the flying for the movie effort, also provided a combat painted B-25, which happened to be TB-25N 44-30493 (N9451Z). At the conclusion of the filming for the TV pilot, it was painted as Ramblin' Rose but in most of the scenes that made it into the pilot, it carries different nose art which is not discernable to this eye, anyways.
Also making an appearance is Tallmantz camera ship B-25H 43-4643 (N1203) in what is probably its last film appearance as it was sold by Tallmantz shortly afterwards. It shows up in the TV pilot in a standard AAF camouflage scheme as a supposed VIP transport carrying Gen. Dreedle in for a visit.
The TV pilot itself is nothing to get too excited about. I did see it when it was broadcast in 1973 but had forgotten its content. It's probably worth 28:33 minutes of your time.
- Soplata VB-25N Slated for Restoration: As reported by Warbird Digest, in September 2017 VB-25N 44-86708 (N3682G), long stored with the Soplata collection in Ohio, waa purchased by a new owner and moved to Corning, New York, for restoration back to airworthy condition. According to the article, the stock VB-25N was purchased by Kevin Hooey of Corning, who plans a restoration back to a standard AAF B-25J.
This B-25 was delivered in July 1945, and was used as a VIP transport. It was given the Hayes modification in 1956, then becoming a VB-25N. It was sold surplus in August 1959, but its FAA registration file is missing. It did get the civil registration assigned, but it appears it was unmodified and never saw any civil use. It was acquired by Walter Soplata and added into his aircraft collection at Newbury, Ohio. Ownership was reported sold to Steven Detch of Atlanta, Georgia, around 1999, but it never left Ohio. The airplane appears to be a time capsule from a USAF VB-25N.
According to the article, B-25 restorer Tom Reilly of Douglas, Georgia, was involved in making the sale happen, and he will do the restoration on the aircraft center section along with the vertical and horizontal stabilizers. The rest of the restoration will be done by Hooey in his shop at Corning, New York. This will be a long-term restoration project.
- USMC Display Moves From Quantico to Pima Air Museum: The B-25 forward fuselage section displayed at the National Museum of the Marine Corps at Quantico, Virginia, has been sent to the Pima Air and Space Museum at Tucson, Arizona. Not sure of the details of why the display was moved, but it has been relocated.
So in the process of looking at the history of B-25 forward fuselage reveals a bit of a discrepancy in the identity of said airframe. My prior identification suggested it was from B-25J 45-8882 and this was based on deduction and discussions. However, a recent discussion with Carl Scholl from Aero Trader suggests that this forward fuselage is actually from VB-25N 44-28765 (N9443Z). The problem is that Aero Trader did two similar museum displays that used forward fuselage sections at about the same time: the one for the Marine Museum and one for the Discovery Center in Washington, D.C. After re-reviewing the information and taking a close look at some photos, it would appear that, yes, the USMC forward fuselage is actually VB-25N 44-28765 (N9443Z). Here is an earlier view of this aircraft seen while in storage with Aero Trader.
Well, B-25J 45-8882 was the one cut forward of the production break, while the forward fuselage section now at Pima is separated at the factory production break. Thus, I think I and others have mixed the two up. As for the Discovery Center forward fuselage: the center closed up a few years ago and the forward fuselage section is reportedly with one of the contractors who worked to close the building up.
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