cvairwerks
Staff Sergeant
Probably need to find the info on how the F-10's were equipped to be sure.
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Interestingly, I was reading the war diary of the 418th NFS - the one using B-25H as night intruders for a couple of months, before seeing your post. When they converted to P-61, all their B-25 were also converted (probably) into Fat Cats for other units. I don't have a proof for the latter but this is mentioned in the original text - see attached. No idea where the one on the photo was used.Found on Facebook, One of the few 75mm cannons faired over. Looks like this one was used as squadron hack for fat cat aircraft with all weapons removed. Not sure much more on it.
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That star on the LG reminds me of the B-25 that was used as a general's transport in "Catch-22". "What do you mean I can't have him shot? I'm a GENERAL!"Found on Facebook, One of the few 75mm cannons faired over. Looks like this one was used as squadron hack for fat cat aircraft with all weapons removed. Not sure much more on it.
View attachment 725876
Interestingly, I was reading the war diary of the 418th NFS - the one using B-25H as night intruders for a couple of months, before seeing your post. When they converted to P-61, all their B-25 were also converted (probably) into Fat Cats for other units. I don't have a proof for the latter but this is mentioned in the original text - see attached. No idea where the one on the photo was used.
Units usually flew older planes (C,D) in this role but it's not uncommon to see some newer B-25 as well.
Cheers!
P.S. Paul, please check this thread (if you haven't yet) - I mentioned your name there, hoping you might have some visual references.
Gen Dreedle (Orson Wells)That star on the LG reminds me of the B-25 that was used as a general's transport in "Catch-22". "What do you mean I can't have him shot? I'm a GENERAL!"
Great details, Paul!
So many new (and old) ones to use or discuss. The nose in the PBJ-colours is obviously a composite one. I like this photo very much:
View attachment 711857
One can see the patch over the opening for the second fixed gun and accordingly to that the big plate for the flexible one (moved 4" higher). This change came with block J-20. In the same time this nose has a bombardier's window in the floor, relatively rare for the J-model and AFAIK used only on block J-1. I must check what was the original the museum used.
BTW I see for the first time yellow cushions with USMC stencils on them. I never new everything was changed up to such detail!
Thanks for the amazing "journey"!
Thanks for the link, Paul. I was following this site and the forum years ago but then the information stopped coming.
Just a thought on that, wonder if it was easier to look down for target before peering down the bomb site. Sort of like looking through binoculars. Usually you find the general direction and then peer through them in that direction but being that high up it for medium altitudes they found it ineffective. No idea at least for now.Thanks for the link, Paul. I was following this site and the forum years ago but then the information stopped coming.
Interestingly 44-28765 is a B-25J-15. As I mentioned before the a/c has the 2 fixed guns and the higher mounted flexible one which matches the serial. But why did they put a window in the floor? Here is a photo of the same frame with civil registration:
View attachment 726040
I have several photos of modified VBs (VIP-transports) - I'll check their serials and appearance as well.
Cheers!
Paul, I think the real "bombardier's window" was the one in the middle, with the wiper blade. The bombardier in his battle position could see through the bomb sight and through that window in a way you describe it. Unfortunately I can't prove this from experience - I've been in a B-25 bombardier's nose and looked around but didn't try the "front row".Just a thought on that, wonder if it was easier to look down for target before peering down the bomb site. Sort of like looking through binoculars. Usually you find the general direction and then peer through them in that direction but being that high up it for medium altitudes they found it ineffective. No idea at least for now.
Yes, these are the photos I was thinking about (Sandbar Mitchell) and it's possible that the floor window was used for observing the target as you said. Later on it was deleted after installing the second fixed gun (is my theory).So not really sure what the real reason for the window was originally for.
I think these where the two Sand Bar Mitchell photos I think you where talking about.
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It's funny because as I was looking for these I noticed that on this one that we have take a bit about looks to have the small window on the Pappy Gunn modified one. Never noticed it before with what looks to be the a patch where the ball socket was installed for the flexible 30 cal. and note also the patch for the lower fixed machine gun as well.
View attachment 726221
No. B-25 were manufactured in the very same way, no matter what bomb sight would be used later. The floor window stopped being installed at the end of block J-1, but later blocks used the Norden as well. IMHO it is not really a standard that bombers with Norden didn't have the flexible nose gun (0.30 or 0.50). It is possible that the later has been temporarily deleted, but the bomb sights (no matter what type) and the nose guns were used together all the time.Guys, just a thought, but could that extra window have something to do with being equipped with a Norden Bombsight?
I know that not all B-25s were equipped with it and the ones that were, didn't have the flexible .30 installed.