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From what I read the answer is yes, those that could be repaired that is. They were used to supplement the aircraft lost that flew to Russia for the lend lease program. Even after the war the Russians kept aircraft flying even though the lend lease agreement was to destroy them. Some where destroyed but not all. Some B-25's where still flying in the 1950's after the war.Did the Russians use the aircraft that were interned?
Russian sources mention that "a few" B-25 from the CBI have been interned and used by the Soviets - no clue how many those were. I know for sure of one a/c: the Tokyo Raider piloted by Capt. Ed York, s/n 40-2242. This was the only "Mitchell" from the Doolittle Raid to land on Soviet soil.Did the Russians use the aircraft that were interned?
Paul, can you post a copy of the front page/cover of this book? I wonder if it's the one I know or not.The following is quoted from the book Lend-Lease and Soviet Aviation in the Second World War by Vladimer Kotelnikov.....
Here you go my friendPaul, can you post a copy of the front page/cover of this book? I wonder if it's the one I know or not.
Kotelnikov has compiled several books through the years and some of them have been revised too.
Regards!
Hi Paul, checking your posts from the time of my absence I saw the above quoted one.A long time back in thread 130 I posted what looked to be an all black B-25. After some research this is a PBJ Mitchell used by the Marine Corps and equiped with the HVAR rocket system or high velocity aircraft rockets. They where used for night heckling which ment that they flew at night with orders to find and destory Japanese ships in the Pacific.
Like all squadrons colors seem to very. Being colored blind does not help me on top of black and white pictures but this one seems to be either painted black or mid night blue according to some PBJ squadrons sources.
Also this one is equiped with the GCA system or Ground Controlled Approach radar to aid in landing in bad weather or on night landings. The H antenna is located under the cockpit window.
Note also on the co-pilot wing that the radar pod is located on the wing instead of the nose.
Some sources claim that because they flew at night most of the machine guns where removed which seems to be the case with this one which looks to show that even the glass nose was painted. Tail guns where usually still installed in case of night fighter attacks.
If any one knows more I would love to hear more about it.
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While reading yesterday before I went to bed I found this page at the Aircorps Online library in a North American Weekly News letter Vol 2 number 14. As per the picture above it shows that the US had a similar system though I have not seen any pictures of it yet.Very cool Yves and I updated my notes, I have noted in there as well that the B-25C was referred to as the B-25S but that's it if you know anything more. I will have to study your Russian website in more detail this weekend. I have no plans other than to update my notes on the B-25 as they sorely need updating before I forget what LOL.
Awesome find on the waste gun modification. Sure looks like a modification. As far as the G model goes I have the same picture you posted above.
Below I hope is a picture you have not seen before. It came from the book Mitchell Masterpieces by Wim Ni Jenhuis. It's the only picture I have seen so far of a Soviet Mitchell with adjustable air intakes for the the engines which where only used in cold weather from what I have read and removed once weather warmed up.
Another thing I found interesting was that the Soviets did not like that they did not have fire preventing neutral gases. Crews considered this to be unacceptable and therefore with the assistance of the design burau of NKAP Plant No. 156 developed a system to vent spent engine exhaust gases into the fuel cells. The exhaust gas would pass through filters (a set of serrated copper rings) and vented under pressure into the fuel system to reduce fire danger. It was ordered that all aircraft have the Auxiliary external wing tanks and internal bomb bay fuel tanks equipped with the exhaust gas protection feature. Later on, Plant No. 156 produced one time use fiber (specially compressed cardboard) 220-gallon wing tanks. After their fuel was expended, they were dropped. The mounting of the auxiliary fuel cells permitted the duration of the flight to extend to 12 hours.
All the best
Paul
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Going through the above site (and photos) I found some old and some newer information, compared to what I had from earlier years. Unfortunately older sites I have saved as html do not open anymore - I must try the Waybackmachine.You can find a list of some of the crew interned in Russia on the 77th bomb squadron web page. link below
Greg, this is a B-25 threadInteresting history link.
Reading through the unit history, I note a number of errors. The history mentions two crashes in early 1942 involving B-26s. Consulting aviationarcheology.com database, both crashes actually involved B-18As.
Is that better?Greg, this is a B-25 thread.
Going through the above site (and photos) I found some old and some newer information, compared to what I had from earlier years. Unfortunately older sites I have saved as html do not open anymore - I must try the Waybackmachine.
From site to site I found this one - it's new to me. I never stop wondering how many and how different the B-25 armament systems, modifications and additions were. As somebody stated years ago: No two "Mitchells" were exactly the same!
At the above address one will find a rather unique nose armament of a B-25 ( IMHO a -C, could be an early -D as well) from the 77-th BS. in the Aleutians:
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The yagi-antenna is visible too. I don't know what type of antenna is the small one, under the pilot's position, but it's another unique element. Note the gun-sight in front of the pilot too. This is the full photo for those who do not visit third sites:
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Cheers!
I've seen similar looking antennae on radar equipped a/cs (PBY, PB4Y etc.) but they are usually vertical. I believe I have a scheme with the exact name of the antenna below:I would love to see the drawings of the inside mounting of this one for the nose guns. As close as those front guns are I bet the feed system was a night mare. As far as the antenna on the out side of the pilot seat I am at a loss for now.
So many questions and the more notes to update, The first picture I had seen before but the second one is new to me. I started reading your pdf on the 612 squadron, Lot of interesting stuff to say the least for anyone interested in the Mitchell.