The 18 Catch-22 B-25s

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Summary Table

The B-25s

43-4432 Back to Summary Table	B-25H NL90399 N10V	Pre-Film: Delivered in February 1944 to the AAF with domestic service and then surplus after November 1945. To Joe Zeppa, Dallas, TX, in June 1947, with the civil registration of NL90339. Numerous civil owners, becoming N10V in 1952. Numerous civil owners including Husky Oil Co. and Cherokee Flying Service with use primarily as an executive transport. Purchased by Tallmantz from Long Island Airways on 9/1/68 for $4,000, then to Filmways. Catch-22: Appears as Berlin Express with appropriate nose art; tail code of 6X. Also, this airplane is featured in one sequence as a pristine VIP transport for Gen. Dreedle, complete with white sidewall tires, highly polished in an overall pinkish themed paint-scheme. Post-Film: Sold by Filmways in May 1971 to Dr. Sherman Cooper, Merced, CA. Donated in May 1972 to the EAA Air Museum Foundation. Maintained in flying condition on and off over the subsequent years; currently under restoration by the EAA as Berlin Express.	Photo Page for 43-4432
43-4643 Back to Summary Table	B-25H TB-25H N1203	Pre-Film: Delivered to the AAF in March 1944, then domestic AAF service. Surplus after October 1945 and purchased as part of a 475-lot sale in February 1946 by Paul Mantz. One of the few airplanes selected by Mantz for post-war use and modified as his primary cameraplane. Used for dozens of notable film projects including Cinerama and Disney Circlevision. Transferred to Tallmantz Aviation in November 1961 with the merger. Continued use as a cameraplane with the company. Catch-22:Use as a camera plane for the filming. No name added added, but nose art of girl on a bomb evidently applied; tail code was 6A; tail serial was 01203. Post-Film: Continued use as a camera plane for Tallmantz until 1975 when sold. Several civil owners, the last one being Vicki Meller of Burbank, CA. The airplane crashed on September 4, 1976, near Santa Marta, Colombia, a town located on the northern coast of the country. Reportedly it was in use by drug smugglers at the time. A very ingnoble end.	Photo Page for 43-4643
43-28204 Back to Summary Table	B-25J TB-25J TB-25N N9856C	Pre-Film: Delivered to the AAF in June 1944. Domestic AAF service, then USAF service. Surplus after 1958. Sold to Blue Mountain Air Service, La Grande, OR, probably for conversion to an air tanker. Subsequently to several air tanker companies, then to Filmways in September 1968 for $6,000. Catch-22: Carried the name Booby Trap for the film with appropriate artwork; carried the tail code of 6G; tail serial was 39856C. Post-Film: Sold in April 1971 to Tallmantz (after Filmways wanted to close out the film), then to Ted Itano, Monterey Park, CA, in May 1973. Operated by Aero Trader as Pacific Princess at Chino and eventually purchased by Aero Trader. Remains airworthy.	Photo Page for 43-28204
44-28925 Back to Summary Table	B-25J TB-25J CB-25J TB-25N N7687C	Pre-Film: Delivered to the AAF in August 1944. Confirmed combat service with the 12th Air Force (310th BG) in Italy, back to the U.S. in July 1945. Unusual post-war combat service with the AAF and USAF for a combat vet airplane, then surplus in 1958. First civil owner was Parsons Airpark, Carpenteria, CA, for use as a test bed and later an air tanker with various owners. Purchased at Salt Lake City for Filmways by Tallmantz on 5/7/68 for $1,500, no engines. Catch-22: Carried the name Superman with appropriate artwork; tail code was 6F. Post-Film: Sold by Filmways for $6,000 to a veterans cemetary in Pittsburg. Delivered by air by Frank Pine, then air lifted to the cemetary by helicopter. Sold in 1984 to Harry Doan, then to the Cavanaugh Flight Museum at Addison, Texas, in 1992. An extensive and extremely accurate restoration was completed by Aero Trader. It remains on display in airworthy condition at the museum.	Photo Page for 44-28925
44-29366 Back to Summary Table	B-25J TB-25N N9115Z	Pre-Film: Delivered to the AAF in September 1944 with domestic wartime service with AAF and USAF. Surplus in 1959 and sold to Sonora Flying Service, Sonora, CA, for $2,000 for conversion to an air tanker. Various civil owners until purchased by Tallmantz for $6,000 at Paris, Texas; Jr. Burchinal ferried the airplane to KSNA. Transferred to Filmways in November 1968. Catch-22: Tail code of 6M assigned. Photographic evidence would suggest that, despite other accounts, Hot Pants was N9115Z for the filming. (Hot Pants was certainly not N9452Z as is commonly reported. N9452Z had an aft turret for the filming.) Post-Film: Transferred to Paramount in 1970 or 1971, then sold to David Tallichet shortly afterwards. Operated by Tallichet's company, MARC, and flown by Tallichet in Hanover Street in the UK in 1978 as Marvelous Miriam. Sold in 1979 to Doug Arnold in the U.K. with the FAA registration cancelled. Donated to the RAF Bomber Command Museum at Hendon in 1982. Restored and placed on display at the American Air Museum at Duxford where it remains on static display.	Photo Page for 44-29366
44-29887 Back to Summary Table	B-25J TB-25N N10564	Pre-Film: Delivered to the AAF in November 1944 with domestic postwar service with the AAF and USAF. Surplus in 1957 and sold to Les Bowman, Long Beach, CA, for $2,777 as N10564. Used as an engineering test bed, then modified as an air tanker. This was the B-25 air tanker used by the USFS for tests of the suitablility of the B-25 as a tanker and deemed unusable. Sold to Hemet Valley Flying Service, Hemet, CA, for the engines to be transferred to a PBY tanker. Purchased by Tallmantz in October 1968. Catch-22: Marked as Luscious Lulu with nose art; tail code 6Y; tail serial was 310564. Post-Film: Sold to January 1971 to Wings of Yesterday at Santa Fe, NM. Several owners in subsequent years, the donated to the National Air and Space Museum in 1985. Retained in storage in subsequent years, where it remains.	Photo Page for 44-29887
44-29939 Back to Summary Table	B-25J TB-25J TB-25N N9456Z	Pre-Film: Delivered to the AAF in November 1944 with domestic service in the AAF and USAF. Sold as surplus in 1959 to a scrap dealer, then to Les Bowman and Paul Mantz for modification as an air tanker. Not modified; instead transferred to Tallmantz in 1961. Used for several contract test programs for Tallmantz. Catch-22: Marked with just the squadron patch--a girl on a bomb--but no name; tail serial 09456Z; tail code 6C. Post-Film: Sold in January 1971 to Don Buchele, Columbus Station, OH. After another civil owner, then to the Mid-Atlantic Air Museum at Reading, PA, in about 1980. After restoration, it operates as Briefing Time with the museum.	Photo Page for 44-29939
44-30077 Back to Summary Table	B-25J TB-25N N2849G	Pre-Film: Delivered to the AAF in December 1944. AAF and USAF domestic service, then surplus in 1958 and sold as N2849G to John Young of Beverly Hills, CA. Modified as a sprayer and operated by Christler & Avery at Gerybull, WY. Obtained by Tallmantz for Filmways in late 1968. Catch-22: Marked as Denver Dumper with appropriate artwork added; tail code 6Q. Post-Film: Sold in August 1971 to Tallmantz, then to Peter Bell and Keith Larkin, Freedom, CA. After numerous civil owners, it wned up with the Georgia Historical Aviation Museum at Stone Mountain, GA and operated as Mouthy Mitchell. After a landing accident in the early 1980s, then the damaged aircraft sold to Tom Reilly at Kissimmee, Florida. It was obtained by Aero Trader and stored at Borrego Springs. In 2006, parts of the airframe were incorporated by Aero Trader into the static display Doolittle B-25B on display at the Pacific Air Museum in Hawaii.	Photo Page for 44-30077
44-30493 Back to Summary Table	B-25J TB-25N N9451Z	Pre-Film: Delivered to the AAF in January 1945, then domestic service with the AAF and USAF until 1958. Sold as surplus in 1960 to a scrap dealer, then to Spring Aviation, Tucson, AZ, for possible tanker conversion, instead placed into storage. Purchased at Buckeye, Arizona by Tallmantz on 5/10/68 for $5,000, then to Filmways in August 1968. Catch-22: Marked as Dumbo with artwork; tail code 6V. This was the centerpiece airplane featured in many scenes with Yossarian. Post-Film: Sold in August 1971 back to Tallmantz. Selected by Tallmantz to be modified as a camera ship to replace B-25H N1203. Overhauled and special camera nose mounted. As Tallmantz Aviation began closing down in the early 1980s, it was placed up for sale and eventually went to USAF Museum Program and is currently on static display at Malmstrom AFB, Great Falls, MT.	Photo Page for 44-30493
44-30649 Back to Summary Table	B-25J TB-25N N9452Z	Pre-Film: Delivered to the AAF in February 1945, with postwar service the AAF and USAF. Sold in 1960 to a scrap dealer, then to several civil owners. Purchased at Buckeye, Arizona by Tallmantz on 5/10/68 for $5,000, then to Filmways in August 1968. Catch-22: Reported as marked as Hot Pants but photographic evidence suggests this is incorrect; tail code noted on "Daily Flight Schedule" as 6V (one of two so marked); otherwise it came out of the film as 6W; tail serial 39452Z. This is one of three "aft turret" B-25s in the film, the others being N1203 (camera plane) and N9451Z. It would appear that N9452Z was set up to appear as a double for N9451Z (duplicate tail codes for some of the filming). Post-Film: Sold to Tallmantz in August 1971, then traded to the USAF Museum Program as part of the deal that passed B-17G 44-83525 to Tallmantz. The USAF placed the B-25 on static display at Maxwell AFB, AL, at one time marked as Poopsie.	Photo Page for 44-30649
44-30748 Back to Summary Table	B-25J TB-25J TB-25N N3447G (ntu) N8195H	Pre-Film: Delivered to the AAF in February 1945, with AAF and USAF service until 1958. Sold as surplus in 1959 to a scrap dealer for 41,143. First civil owner was Alson-Niblock Flying Service, Elkhart, IN, then to several subsequent owners. Converted to an aerial sprayer at Greybull, WY, then derelict. Sold to Filmways in late 1968. Catch-22: Marked with just the circular squadron patch and no name through most of the film. Some reports indicate it was named Miss Renee at some point, though a careful review of the film and other photos from the filming have not confirmed this; carried tail code of 6H. Post-Film: Sold in August 1971 to Tallmantz, then to Milo Pupich and several partners in March 1972. The subject of a long-term and continual restoration process, the airplane has been continuously operated by Pupich from its Van Nuys base as Heavenly Body.	Photo Page for 44-30748
44-30801 Back to Summary Table	B-25J VB-25J VB-25N N3699G N30801	Pre-Film: Delivered to the AAF in February 1945, with subsequent years of AAF and USAF service as a VB-25. Sold as surplus in 1959 to Fogle Aircraft of Tucson, AZ, then to Christler and Avery at Greybull, WY. Modified a sprayer, then derelict at Greybull. Sold to Filmways in late 1968. Catch-22: Marked as Vestal Virgin with nose art for the film; tail code was 6K. Post-Film: Sold to Tallmantz in August 1971, then to Challenge Publications in February 1972. The airplane was rebuilt and restored and named Executive Sweet and used as a photo plane and an airshow display. Transferred to the American Aeronautical Foundation (AAF) in in 1984. It is currently based at Camarillo, CA, and remains airworthy.	Photo Page for 44-03801
44-30823 Back to Summary Table	B-25J VB-25J VB-25N N1042B	Pre-Film: Delivered to the AAF in March 1945. Domesitic service with the AAF and USAF until 1958 with a gear up landing. Sold as surplus salvage to Wenatchee Air Service at Yakima, WA, for $835 for planned conversion to an air tanker. Sold in May 1962 to Tallmantz and converted to a camera ship. Operated as one of the two Tallmantz camera planes. Catch-22: Operated as one of the two camera planes for the film. Not named but carried nose art of nude girl on bomb; tail code was 6E. Post-Film: Continued use by Tallmantz as a camera plane until 1986 when sold to Universal Aviation, Delaware, DL. Continued use as a camera plane by Aces High in the U.K., then to several civil owners as a warbird. Currently operational with Jim Terry at Fort Worth, TX.	Photo Page for 44-30823
44-30925 Back to Summary Table	B-25J TB-25N N9494Z G-BWGB	Pre-Film: Delivered to the AAF in March 1945, with domestic AAF and later USAF service until 1958 when deemed surplus. Sold in 1959 a scrap company, then to John Carter and Will Baptist, Sacramento. Numerous civil owners until purchased by Tallmantz for Filmways in December 1968. Catch-22: At one point, marked as Abombinable Snow Man with nose art and tail code 6P. Later (apparently), marked as Laden Maiden with appropriate noseart, retaining the tail code of 6P. (also reported as 6I but 6P appears to be correct). It ended the filming as Laden Maiden. Post-Film: Sold in February 1970 to the CAF and based at Hobbs, NM. Sold again in February 1972, with numerous subsequent civil owners. Sold to John Stokes in September 1975 and flown as Laiden Maiden. Sold in 1978 to Visionaire, Inc. (Jeff Hawke) for use in Hanover Street where it flew as Gorgeous George-Ann. Subsequently stored in the UK at Blackbushe and North Weald. In very poor disassembled condition, it was transferred in 2006 for restoration to static condition with the Brussels Air Museum in Belgium.	Photo Page for 44-30925
44-31032 Back to Summary Table	B-25J TB-25J TB-25N N3174G	Pre-Film: Delivered to the AAF in March 1945, then stored until 1948. Domestic USAF service until 1958 when surplus, and sold to Aircraft Rental Service at Fleming Field, St. Paul, MN. Several subsequent owners until sold to Filmways in September 1968. Film file: Purchased for $5,500. Catch-22: Marked as Free, Fast, and Ready with appropriate artwork; tail code of 6D; tail serial was 13174G. Post-Film: Sold to David Tallichet, probably in 1970, and stored at Chino in poor condition until the early 1980s. Reportedly donated to the USAF Museum Program for display at the March Field Museum, where it remains on static display.	Photo Page for 44-31032
44-86701 Back to Summary Table	B-25J TB-25J TB-25N N7681C	Pre-Film: Delivered to the AAF in June 1945, then stored until 1946. Postwar service with the AAF and USAF, then surplus in 1958. Sold to a crop dusting service at Marysville, CA, in 1958 for $3,000. Sold in September 1968 to Tallmantz for $6,500, then to Filmways the following month. Catch-22: Marked as Annzas with nose art; tail code 6J assigned. Post-Film: Continued ownership by Filmways, then Paramount Pictures in 1978. Sold to April 1978 to David Tallichet, then to MARC. Flown to the U.K. for use in Hanover Street and marked as Amazing Andrea. Post film storage at Blackbushe, then to Le Bourget at Paris, France, for the Musee de L'Air. Destroyed in a May 1990 hangar fire.	Photo Page for 44-86701
44-86843 Back to Summary Table	B-25J TB-25J JB-25J TB-25N N3507G	Pre-Film: Delivered to the AAF in July 1945 and used for training with the AAF and USAF until 1958. Sold as surplus in 1959 to Ace Smelting at Phoenix, AZ, for $1,188. Then sold to Spring Aviation at Tucson for conversion to an air tanker, then to several subsequent civil owners. Sold in May 1968 to Tallmantz at Chino, CA, for $5,250, then to Filmways. Catch-22: Marked as Passionate Paulette with appropriate artwork; tail code 6B; tail serial was 03507G. Post-Film: Sold in August 1971 to Tallmantz, then traded to the USAF Museum Program and displayed at Grissom AFB, IN. Marked as Passionate Paulette.	Photo Page for 44-86843
45-8843 Back to Summary Table	B-25J VB-25N N8091H XB-HEY	Pre-Film: Ready for delivery to the AAF in August 1945, but contract terminated and instead sent for disposal at Altus, OK. Then, added to the AAF inventory in December 1946, then stored at Pyote, TX. Activated for service in the mid-1950s, then surplus in 1958. Sold in 1959 to Edward Tabor, Los Angeles. Exported to Mexico, date unknown. Purchased at Loreto, Mexico, by Paramount Studios on 1/15/69 and delivered to Guayamas for the filming. Aircraft: purchased for $4,500; made ready to ferry for $2,871; ferried for $1,000. Catch-22: No known name or nose art applied. The airplane appeared twice in the completed film. It's first appearance was in the runway crash scene with the tail code of 6S (left stabilizer). A later scene, actually shot earlier, shows the airplane with an intact forward fuselage with the apparent tail code of 6F, possibly 6R (left stabilizer) and a different camouflage paint scheme. A Stoney Stonich photo shows it in an aircraft dump with the forward fuselage burned out and the tail code of 6F on the right stabilizer. Post-Film: As per Tallmantz chief pilot Frank Pine, the burnt remains of this B-25 were buried on the airstrip site at San Carlos when the film was completed.	Photo Page for 45-8843

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