B-25 Bombers part of aviation lore
LETH. INTERNATIONAL AIRSHOW STARTS FRIDAY
There are less than 35 B-25 Bombers in the world that are still operational and one of them is here.
The Second World War B-25 Mitchell “Maid in the Shade” has arrived in Lethbridge in advance of the Lethbridge International Air Show, which runs from Friday to Sunday. The stop is part of the Arizona Commemorative Air Force (CAF) Museum’s “Summer Flying Legends of Victory Tour.”
The U.S Army Air Force used the medium-sized bomber for its highand low-level bombing. It served its last tour of war duty for Battle Number 18, which was assigned by the 319th Bomb Group, 437th Squadron out of Corsica.
“This airplane flew 15 missions into Italy and Yugoslavia,” said Gene Adkins, with CAF. “It’s the only B-25 flying that is a combat veteran.”
“At the end of its service, it was brought back to the United States in a variety of functions,” he added. “In 1959, the army air force decided they didn’t need it anymore, so they sold it to a salvage operator in Tucson, Arizona,” said Adkins, adding that in 1960, the CAF was formed to help preserve Second World War aircrafts.
“The founder discovered that the armed forces weren’t saving anything, and they thought history needed to be preserved, so they formed a non-profit organization and we are the result of that.”
And in 1981, the Maid in the Shade made its way to the CAF.
“Unfortunately, somebody in Dothan, Alabama needed an aerial insecticide applicator, so he bought this plane and converted it into an aerial insecticide applicator and sprayed bugs and ants in the southeastern part of the United States for 10 years,” said Adkins. “We had to do a lot of work on it, the insecticide had caused a lot of corrosion in the airframe, so it went through a 27-year restoration.”
But the CAF doesn’t just preserve these airplanes and keep them flying.
“We’re out there educating the public as well,” said Adkins. “This is a living history tour as well.”
Those who attend the air show this weekend will be able to climb on board for a static tour, or those feeling adventurous, can climb on board for a flight.
Pricing starts at $325 USD for a waist gunner compartment seat or $650 USD for flight deck jump seat.
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