Aero Vintage Books

Got these off e-bay. Caught my eye as I couldn't figure out what model B-25 it was.

Turns out it is one of 16 low time B25Gs that had their cannon noses removed and 8 gun strafer packages installed. The 16 birds went to the 41st BG that flew shipping strikes from Okinawa off Japan in 45. They had a mix of glass nose D and Js flown by the flight leads and strafer nose J and Gs. All modified in Hawaii to add rocket rails, remove the waist gun glass and add wind deflectors. Also added a twin 50 package on the co-pilot's side of the fuselage and a updated tail gun position with a single 50 in an enclosed canopy similar to the H and J style. All photos noted as taken on Luzon while in transit in 45. An interesting B25 for those who like those kinda things

First glance it must be a J model with a 8 gun nose.


But wait! Where's the top turret and what's that window behind the cockpit?


Hmmm waist windows and top turret behind the bomb bay. ADF football on top of the fuselage. Must be a J behind it as the ADF football is on the bottom of the fuselage.


The crew gets together for a photo. What's that? Rocket rails?


So those are wind deflectors


With no waist window glass I guess the laundry will dry faster


Old style twin 50 gun package visible


I guess this is how bomber crews roughed it in the PTO while in transit

those are great old photos, Sure would love to know the serial on the ship

Well, if it's a B-25G and the serial number ends in 50:

(42-)64850 (38th BG, 823rd BS) damaged by AAA and crashed into water offshore S of Madang, New Guinea Nov 3, 1943. MACR 1087.
(42-)64950 ? (No record on Baugher but it falls among several B-25G serials that were 41st BG losses in January 1944.)
(42-)65050 to RFC at Walnut Ridge Oct 31, 1945.
(42-)65150 surveyed at Hanner AAF, CA May 4, 1944

Kinda leaves it wide open don't it

Great photos! Sure, let the kids prime it, LOL. If I was the enemy, I sure wouldn't want to see one of these birds coming at me. Thanks for sharing.

Actually the photos are from 45 so it would narrow down the field. The modifications to the B25Gs were done at a Depot in Hawaii in late 44 early 45 and included the 8 gun nose to replace the cannon nose. These were the 25s that were the first over Japan since Doolittle.