B-25C-1-NA SN 41-13285 "GF2"

History

The B-25C-1-NA SN 41-13285 known as "GF2" was accepted on October 13, 1942. She was flown to the Kansas City modification center for modifications. Her first assignment was to the AAF Training Command and operated out of Columbia Army Air Field, South Carolina. Assigned to Columbia on December 2, 1942 she was initially attached to the 309th Bomb Group and given the base code of GF2. She was use for the next year and a half in transitioning pilots to the B-25 and updating crews on navigation, gunnery practice and bombing methods. On "D-DAY" June 6, 1944 she was lost in a training accident. She was on a training flight over Greenwood Lake South Carolina with a veteran crew practicing low level bombing. Greenwood Lake was a popular training location where practice bomb runs could be made with minimal risk of injury to crews and civilians. Reports indicate that the crew spotted female sunbathers at a lakeshore beach and in an effort to get a closer look the pilot made a low pass over the lake. An eyewitness at the time said that she approached from the west and apparently came in too low and part of the right wing and prop caught the water. The aircraft straightened out but was too low and hit the water and bounced three times before coming to rest. The crew escaped with only minor injuries. Some reports indicate that upon return to the base the pilot was broken of his rank and sent for reassignment from the pilot program. The other members of the crew were reassigned back to overseas duty. At the time, she was declared unrecoverable. The following summary of assignments are listed on her record card:

Base Assignments

After 39 years underwater, she was recovered in 1983 through the efforts of local Greenville, South Carolina businessman Matt Self and a US Navy reserve diving team. The Navy diving team used this recovery as an exercise for their reserve requirements. Various flotation equipment and recovery devices were required to raise the aircraft from the over 100 feet of water it had called home for nearly 30 years. The aircraft was moved to the shoreline where a mobile crane lifted her out of the water. After an initial survey of the aircraft for corrosion and structural integrity she was moved to the airport. By 1992, she had gone through a series of owners and a cosmetic restoration. She was displayed at the 50th anniversary reunion of the Doolittle Raiders held in Columbia. Again, 10 years later in 2002, she was displayed at the 60th Doolittle Raiders reunion repainted to appear identical to Lt. Col. Doolittle's B-25.

At this point, there is some controversy. The South Carolina Historic Aviation Foundation refers to this plane as "GF2". You may still hear her referred to as "Skunkie". Her condition is a bit questionable. This is to be expected in an aircraft that spent 39 years under water. Her spars have significant corrosion, and even her skin is questionable in spots. Unfortunately, she will likely never fly again. Current information has her being restored to static by the South Carolina Historic Aviation Foundation. Her eventual display location is currently unknown.

• Model: B-25C-1-NA
• Serial Number: 41-13285
• NAA Mfg. Number: 82-5290
• FAA Registration: Never registered
• Mfg. Plant: Inglewood, California
• Completion Date: October 13, 1942
• Delivery Date: December 2, 1942
• Status: Restoration to static
• Owner: South Carolina Historic Aviation Foundation
• Location: Columbia, South Carolina
• Website: http://www.schistoricaviation.org/
• Notable info:One of just a few remaining B-25C-NA airframes remaining.

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.