B-25B-NA SN 40-2347
History
The B-25B-NA SN 40-2347 was built at the North American Aviation Inglewood, California plant in early 1942. The second to last B-25B-NA, 40-2347 was completed on April 30, 1942. Her first assignment was to Westover Field, Massecheusetts on June 5, 1942. She was assigned to the 25th Antisubmarine Wing, most likely the 39th Bomb Squadron, 13th Bomb Group. On July 19, 1942, she was transferred to Dover Army Air Field in Delaware. Through the first 6 months of 1943, she was recorded at several bases, mainly in the southeast. By June 30, 1943, she arrived at Mather Field, California. At the time, Mather Field was a twin-engine training facility for the B-25. She was assigned to the 67th Sub Depot and was transferred to the McClelland Field Strategic Air Depot by October 23, 1943. She was struck from inventory and relegated to a static airframe on November 8, 1943. This was most commonly done for aircraft to be used for parts or maintenance training. There is no official record of her disposal in her military record. The following summary of assignments are listed on her record card:
Base Assignments
| Date | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4/30/1942 | Long Beach, CA | Modifications |
| 5/27/1942 | Westover Field, MA | 25 Antisubmarine Wing |
| 07/19/1942 | Dover AAF, DE | 3 Antisubmarine Squadron |
| 06/30/1943 | Mather Field, CA | 3 Advanced Flying School |
| 10/23/1943 | McClelland Field, CA | 67 Sub Deopot |
| 11/08/1943 | McClelland Field, CA | Struck From Inventory |
The fuselage of the aircraft was recovered by Ed Maloney of the Air Museum of Ontario, California from MGM studio in 1966. At that time she was displayed as "T-702 Lemon Queen". She spent an unknown amount of time with the Admiral Nimitz Foundation in Fredericksburg, Texas until 1988 when she was purchased by Carl Scholl. 40-2347 still resides with Carl today marked as "Happy Halloween". In theory, there still is a chance this B-25 may again fly. The technology does exist to put her back together. Unfortunately, her spars have been cut which makes this prospect difficult. Most likely, she will be restored as a static display. She is a great candidate to replicate Jimmy Doolittle's B-25B-NA.
- Model: B-25B-NA
- Serial Number: 40-2347
- NAA Mfg. Number: 62-3016
- FAA Registration: Never registered
- Mfg. Plant: Inglewood, California
- Completion Date: April 30, 1942
- Delivery Date: April 30, 1942
- Status: Stored Dismantled
- Owner: Carl Scholl
- Location: Ocotillo Wells, California
- Website:
- Notable info: The only "surviving" B-25B-NA. Serial number is just 3 later than the plane flown by Jimmy Doolittle in the Tokyo raid. Second to last B-25B-NA built.
Photos
This page represents the most current information we have on this aircraft. The information above was last updated 05/2018 with information provided by Bob Haney. Our goal is to have the most current and correct information possible. If you have any information about this aircraft not listed here or see anything posted in error, please contact the B-25 History Project so we may update our records.