Description

B-25 Mitchell in Civil Service

by Scott A. Thompson

About the Book:

B-25 Mitchell in Civil Service contains the complete story of the North American B-25 Mitchell in post-World War II civil service. Though the U.S. combat service of this famous medium bomber ended in 1945, military utilization continued into the early 1960s. As a result, numerous B-25s made it into the civil ranks and their story is documented here. From early roles as test beds and corporate transports, the B-25 later became useful as agricultural sprayers and air tankers. Receiving and undeserved reputation as a dangerous air tanker, dozens of ex-borate bombers languished on airfields across the country through the 1960s. Many were saved by movie use such as Catch-22, while others formed the foundation of the young warbird industry as groups like the Confederate Air Force sought to preserve the vanishing breed. Today, pristine B-25s ply the airways, always drawing a crowd at the airshows and turning heads with the loud bark of twin Wright R-2600s.

This book provides an unprecedented photo record of the B-25 in civil service, with details about the many roles played by the Mitchell in the years since World War II. Individual aircraft histories are included, as are detailed appendices and indexes. Stories of movie use (Catch-22 and Hanover Street), the Tallmantz B-25s, the B-25s use as an air tanker and transport, and those companies which today specialize in B-25 restorations, are all assembled here in one comprehensive book. 8.5″x11″, softcover, 144 pages, 190 photos, 16 pages of color.

Published by Aero Vintage Books.

FREE USPS MEDIA MAIL SHIPPING TO U.S. ADDRESSES!!

Price include applicable U.S. local taxes!

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What readers say about B-25 Mitchell in Civil Service:

“This book is a wonderful resource for anybody interested in the North American B-25 Mitchell in general and particularly for those who want to know the fate of these magnificent aircraft. This aircraft type proved to be easily adapted to a variety of roles and found wide acceptance on the civilian market and some individual aircraft have very interesting histories. A must have book for any B-25 Mitchell warbird nut..”–Scott Rose

 

“good read!”–Richard C. Salata

 

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Book Reviews:

“(The author) realized that to do a “complete” book on the civil Mitchells would probably be too large to be published and too arcane for the most enthusiasts to comprehend. Instead, he set out to record as much history as possible in one place that would be “user friendly” to the reader. He has done an admirable job of achieving that goal. For the hard core Mitchell buff, the last 50-plus pages of the book will be their real “meat” for this is where (the author) lists the individual B-25 histories . Very reasonably priced with many excellent photographs (many coming from William T. Larkins and Milo Peltzer), this book is a must for any Warbird lover.” — Air Classics Magazine

 

“Those who like their warbirds on the larger side will already cherishing Scott’s “Final Cut”, the story of the postwar B-17s. Scott has a keen eye for detail, an academic approach to presenting source material clearly and his works read well. Here are details of executive conversions, research, and development B-25s, air tankers and, of course, of their “new” working life as warbirds. There is a tribute to Paul Mantz and his airborne cameraships, and lashings of materials on B-25s in firms, includ ing the “full monty” on that outstanding movie, “Catch-22″. Lavishly illustrated, the book includes detailed appendices and individual histories of the aircraft. A superb piece of work…” –Fly Past Magazine

 

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About the Author:

Scott Thompson has long held an interest in the B-17 and warbirds in general. He started collecting information and photos on these airplanes when he was teenager, and began writing about them in 1980. He has written numerous articles and seven other books, not including the five editions of Final Cut. He has enjoyed professional flying for more than 40 years, and also built a Vans RV-8 for fun flying. He and his family live in the Sacramento area.