$2500.00 B-25

[DIK SHEPHERD]

Back in the mid-70s, my partner (Norman Knight) and I bought a B-25 from a John Stokes out of San Marcos, TX. This aircraft was one of five that he bought from Dothan Aviation at Wheelas Field, Dothan, AL.

Four of the 25s were flown out, but this last one had a dead number one engine and a few other problems and Stokes was going to have it scrapped, or so we were told.

So, in order to save it we contacted Stokes and offered to buy it. He said sure, for $2500.00, and we were soon the proud owners of B-25, s/n 44-28765.

Our next problem was getting the plane from where it was to where we lived, north of Dothan in Ozark, and it was obvious that we were going to have to tow it. Well, before we did anything I contacted the State Highway Commission and was told, flatly, by someone I was told was the head of the Commission - "You're not going to tow anything down MY highway."

Because of that response, we were concerned that we were going to have some problems and so we went to the County, who said - "No problem. No permits needed, just be careful.".

With that out of the way, our next project was to start making the plane smaller, in order to get on down the road. So that's what we did.

Well, so as not to go into all the details, these pictures show some of what we did.

B-25, s/n 44-28765, N9443Z, as it sat.



First thing to do was to remove everything we could, starting with the right wing. By the way, everything was done with hand tools and the hoist was operated with a speed handle.



My partner was in the lead car, and taking these pictures. His job was to stop whatever traffic might be oncoming. Most times people listened and waited, but sometimes people just ignored him and kept on coming. That is until they came up to me. More than once I would be approaching a rise in the road just to see some smuck suddenly see what was coming and than do a hasty turn around.



The trip was a zigzag course and we had to cross over the State's highway three times. We also had to cross a couple of bridges.

This one was just a tad narrow.



Plenty of room on this one.



How'd you like to be sitting on the bank, fishing, and see this passing by?



We got to Ozark with no real problems, and I got real good at opening people's mail boxes with the tip of the number one engine's propeller.

[hang the expense]

Now that is some great pics. Were the harpoons still there when you picked up or drove your 25 out of papys place?

[ww2John]

I can just imagine driving down a road and being confronted with that rig early on a morning. Wow.

[DIK SHEPHERD]

The PV-1 "Venturas" and the PV-2 "Harpoons" were still there, at that time, as were the three remaining B-17s.

[DIK SHEPHERD]

Here are some shots of the Harpoons, lined up for sale.

[jmkendal]

Dik,

Brings back memories! I flew in and out of Dothan a number of times when I was stationed at Ft Rucker.

Spent more than a little time in Ozark, but; mostly went to town in Daleville. I had heard there was a "bomber" in Ozark, but; never could find it. Were you there in 80?

Joe

[DIK SHEPHERD]

Hey there Joe:

My partner and I both had left Alabama by 78. I moved back to California, he went to work in Louisana. In late 80 I went to work in Louisana, and stayed there till 82.

During that time some things happened that caused both of us to part with our B-25. We decided to donate it to a nonprofit organization and I signed over my rights to him so that he could use the tax deduction.

I understand that the nose section is in Washington, D.C., and some of the rest of it is in California.