Click the pic below for an album of Mark’s B-25 pics. When you are there, be sure to click on “Original B-25” in the upper right hand corner for Mark’s Dad’s B-25 pics. Story below:
When I was in high school in the late 70’s, my father (Don Davis) acquired B-25J serial number 44-30832. I spent a lot of time riding in the greenhouse to various airshows in the area of Wyoming/Colorado. So, I made this 2-meter Hangar9 B-25 as a model of that plane. It was flown at SEFSD field on March 13, 2016 by Don Rice. I hope to try it soon myself, after some adjustments recommended by Don.
The original plane was part of “Tired Iron Racing Team” in the late 70’s and early 80’s, as “Bronco Bustin’ Bomber.” It has passed through several owners since then, and now resides in the Philadelphia area.
The model uses two Eflite Power-46 engines, on 4S batteries. I put on 13×8 3-blade props for some photos, but it flew on 13x8E 2-blade APC props. It also has a sound system from Model Sounds Inc, with two 4-ohm speakers with 25v supply. Landing gear are Eflite 60-120 electric retracts, with Robart struts (not an easy marriage due to SAE vs metric). Cockpit and other scale details are from Dynamic Balsa.
SCALE NOTES:
1. There is no top turret in the original photos from that time. But my father had a top turret, which was installed from time to time. The B25J has this in a more forward position than earlier models. But it introduced enough drag to increase travel time and fuel cost, so he often flew without it.
2. Side gun pods are also missing in some original photos. Eventually, it was fitted with gas-burning replicas that shot flames out for airshows.
3. Note the single outboard exhaust port on each engine. Most surviving B-25’s use this configuration, because the cockpit is extremely noisy with the individual exhaust ports. The smaller individual ports are less visible at night, and so were more common during wartime.
4. My father acquired a Norden bombsight, and installed it such that the viewing port could track a point the ground (when properly set). I spent much time attempting to aim it at farmhouses throughout Wyoming/Colorado. The model has a 0.50 cal in the nose and no bombsight.
