43-4106 B-25H-1 N5548N

[gary1954]

Where was the restoration of 43-4106 B-25H-1 N5548N done. I have a couple of photos that show a little of the restoraton, but nothing indicating where it was done. Thanks in advance.

[Guest]

Just checked some of teh files. It must have been between 1981 and October 1990 (roll out as “34380 / Barbie III”). First post restoration flight was most likely on 19 May 1992. Further details are always welcome!

[Coert Munk]

... and I was the guest in this morning's reply

[gary1954]

Thanks, do the files say where the restoration was done?

[Coert Munk]

The Aero Trader site states:
QUOTE
N5548N: Only flying B-25H cannon nose in existence, prepped by Aero Trader for ferry flight to Springfield, IL for restoration after years of inactivity in Chicago area. Later moved to Rockford, IL and restored by the Weary Warriors Squadron. Now flies as Barbie III.
UNQUOTE
And there's no reason to doubt about that!

[gary1954]

*SLAPS self in the forehead*:roll: thanks Coert Munk, I didn't think about looking at that . Appreciate it *rubs forehead*

[novascoty]

I was going through some old 35mm negatives and came across this one of N5548N in the late summer of 1975. The "Chicago Area" location you mentioned was on Weber Road near Joliet, IL on Lambert Field.

[novascoty]

More info on the Barbie III:

http://historyflight.com/nw/docs/barbie ... _years.htm

[gary1954]

Great Old Picture man , thanks for Sharing this

Didn't the Wright Brothers (Not the Wright Brothers of Aviation History at Kitty Hawk) ferry this ship out of Oswego? I believe I read somewhere that they had an engine failure sometime after takeoff. It's been years so I employ the CRS factor.

[Chris Brame]

Don't remember their names, but Earl Reinert told me that when they asked him what extra equipment to bring when they went to fly the the long-dormant plane from Lambert, he told them "Two coffins!" . He went on to say it had one of the main wheel tires blow out on landing along with the engine failure, and the crew ran from the plane after the landing...

[gary1954]

Before I got disgusted with **pukes** Air **puke** Classics, I believe it was in that **pukes** publication where I read that it was a guy, I want to say Mike Wright that flew her from Lambert and the ship did suffer an engine failure....I don't know about the blown tire.....two coffins, that's a good one.

I was visiting a friend of mine one day, we were riding in his golf cart headed to the hangar to look at his flying machines. As we passed a row of garages, one was open and I saw a coffin against the wall. I asked him about it.....he said "It's cheaper to buy one when you're alive, so I got that one and put it away." I asked him when did he buy it. In a casual voice, as if one was sitting on the front porch on a hot summer afternoon sipping great southern iced tea, he said, "When I bought my helicopter."