Looking for Marking Information on B-25D 9C with...

GMorrison

 

 

B-1 CrewCheif

Hi ps1cw, 

Ive been working with a group that is restoring a B-25J that will be using the markings of a bomber in the 340th but in the 488th instead.

Anyway in my time with the restoration ive been able to see Yankee Warrior quite a few times and talk with there crew. It was rumored to be the bomber you speak of during the war but still dont know for sure. If youre still trying to find info i have a friend who is a historian on B-25s so if you'd like his info just message me and ill send it your way.

 

 

 

 

 

The buNo of Ellen E. was noted on the caption of the photo of her. Can't see it in the picture itself, but I would guess it's correct. I'll look in airplane numbers land.

 

 

I would say she was OD over NG with colored cowl rings.

 

 

I talked to the crew a couple months ago and they said that the tail had been converted a couple times, but they converted it back to its original tail. Waist guns i couldnt tell you though. Also as far as paint it is possible that it could be RAF Dark Green over Aluminum. I remeber reading in a book that the Germans bombed the airfield at night and when they dropped flares all the B-25s lit up from the reflection and most were destroyed and the next day they went to the RAF and got green paint and painted all the upper surfaces RAF Dark Green. 

Here's her record according to Joe Baugher.  Looks like the side gun windows are later additions.

Baugher:

3634 (MSN 100-23960 (100-23460 according to Andrade) delivered on December 17, 1943, to the USAAF.  Jan 1944 
				assigned to Lend-Lease program for the RAF as 'KL148'.  Instead departed Hunter Field, GA, on January 19, 1944 
				on the southern route through Brazil to Africa enroute to "ELMS" (ie North Africa / Algeria);
       			May 1944 on May 30, to "DUKO" (ie Italy). Flew 7 combat missions from Corsica over Sicily and through the 
				Brenner Pass.  With the USAAF 12th AF, 57th BW, 340th BG, 489th BS during April and May of 1944. It carried the 
				tail code '634 9C' and was named Ellen E. & Son.
				Later back to the US via San Antonio, TX, and Great Falls, MT, before leaving for Sea Island at Vancouver;
      			Oct 1944 taken on strength by RCAF on October 18, as Mitchell II. Later stored until January 1947;
       			Jan 1947 assigned to No. 418 Squadron "City of Edmonton" Auxiliary.  1950 stored until June 1953;
       			Jun 1953 to Flying Instructors School at RCAF Trenton, Ontario;  1954 stored until 1956; on March 16, 1955, 
				1956 used for training;  Jan 1961 transferred January 4, from RCAF Trenton 129AAF to Dunnville, Ontario;
       			Jun 1962 sold June 10, to Hicks and Lawrence Ltd., St. Thomas, Ontario;
       			Aug 1962 registered CF-NWV for the ferry flight on August 2;
       			Jun 1968 sold on June 1, to Richard B. McPherson of Aerodix Association, New Albany, OH;
      			Jul 1969 sold on July 29, to Glenn Lamont.  Oct 1969 ferried from St. Thomas, Ontario, to Detroit City 
				Airport, MI, by Glenn Lamont, October 24;  1987 sold to Yankee Air Force, now "YANKEE WARRIOR"
				Registered N3774, current. Based at the Yankee Air Museum, Willow Run, MI. Named Yankee Warrior
				Reported 1989 at Milestones of Flight Museum, Lancaster, CA

http://www.warbirdregistry.org/b25registry/b25-433634.html

I think you're right. She is now Yankee Warrior.

B-1 CrewCheif

Hi ps1cw, 

Ive been working with a group that is restoring a B-25J that will be using the markings of a bomber in the 340th but in the 488th instead.

Anyway in my time with the restoration ive been able to see Yankee Warrior quite a few times and talk with there crew. It was rumored to be the bomber you speak of during the war but still dont know for sure. If youre still trying to find info i have a friend who is a historian on B-25s so if you'd like his info just message me and ill send it your way.

 

 

I would say she was OD over NG with colored cowl rings.

Thank you for your offer, that would be great

Hi ps1cw, 

Ive been working with a group that is restoring a B-25J that will be using the markings of a bomber in the 340th but in the 488th instead.

Anyway in my time with the restoration ive been able to see Yankee Warrior quite a few times and talk with there crew. It was rumored to be the bomber you speak of during the war but still dont know for sure. If youre still trying to find info i have a friend who is a historian on B-25s so if you'd like his info just message me and ill send it your way.

Thanks for all the info everyone...the reason I asked is that Yankee Air Museums (flyable) "Yankee Warrior" is a vet of this group flying just shy of 10 combat missions with them.  About 2 months after she arrived all the older B-25's were replaced with the J models.  I was hoping to find what she looked like while on active duty.  Thanks!

That is a quite a colorful group. They were the basis for Joseph Heller’s “Catch 22”.

Great info, guys!  Thanks for sharing the link to that site!

Here is the later B-25J 9C Ruthie

http://www.warwingsart.com/12thAirForce/page.html

I’ve been doing a little Googling.... 9C would be the squadron tail ID marks, as an aircraft was worn out or shot down, a new 9C would appear in the 489 BS. All that being said, the 340th Bomb Group was fairly well photographed. I did find this photo of the rear half of a B25D, coded 9C. It looks to be in a field applied two tone camo scheme (Sand and OD?) Over Neutral Gray (most likely). There are RAF style fin flashes, and the serial number is overpainted.

http://57thbombwing.com/gallery.php

Another B-25, named Ruthie, a J model, later wore the 9C code in the 340th BG, 489th BS.

This site looks like a good place to start. Do you have any info on the crew or aircraft serial number? 9C is likely the squadron ID code.

http://www.warwingsart.com/12thAirForce/squadbook.html