B-25D-30-NC SN 43-3318 "Grumpy"
History
The B-25D-30-NC SN 43-3318 now flying as "Grumpy" was delivered to the United States military on October 27, 1943. She arrived at La Junta, Colorado on November 1, 1943 where she was used as a trainer until transferred to Kelly Field, San Antonio for overhaul prior to transfer to the R.C.A.F. By January 16, 1945 she was transferred as Mitchell II KL 161 to Vancouver, British Columbia. Her initial assignment was Abbotsford, British Columbia where she was used to train crews to fly the B-24 Liberators in Southeast Asia. For the next 17 years, she would sever with several R.C.A.F. Bases. The following summary of assignments are listed on her record card:
Base Assignments
| Date | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 11/01/1943 | La Juna, CO | 3020 Base Unit |
| 10/11/1944 | Kelly Field, TX | 4121 Base Unit |
| 01/16/1945 | Kelly Field, TX | Exported to Canada |
| 01/19/1945 | Sea Island, B.C. | Taken On Strength KL 161 |
| 8/19/1954 | North Bay, ONT | No. 3 AW Operational Training Unit |
| 8/16/1958 | Trenton, ONT | CFS Station Trenton |
| 6/16/1959 | Cold Lake, Alberta | CEPE Experimental Sta. |
| 4/25/1960 | Uplands, ONT | CEPE |
| 10/25/1960 | Calgary, Alberta | Reserve |
In early 1962, she was removed from the inventory of the RCAF. On February 16, 1962 she was sold to Joe Goldring of Vancouver, British Columbia and issued a provisional Canadian registration of CF-0GQ for a ferry flight from Claresholm, Alberta to Vancouver, British Columbia. In March of 1966 she was sold to Sports Air, Inc. of Seattle, Washington and assigned the current registration of N88972. Sold in December of 1966 to North Star Aviation in Fairbanks, Alaska, a 1000 gallon fire retardant tank was installed in the bomb bay in August of 1967. In April of 1969 she was sold to Colco Aviation from Fairbanks, Alaska. In May of 1980 she was bought by Merrill Wein from Anchorage, Alaska. He spent 7 years working on the aircraft until it was moved to Aero Trader in 1987 for restoration. The aircraft was sold in October of 1987 to Robert Pond of the Duxford Fighter Collection in Duxford, England. In 2008 "Grumpy" was acquired by the Historic Fight Foundation and ferried back to the United States.
- Model: B-25D-30-NC
- Serial Number: 43-3318
- NAA Mfg. Number: 100-23644
- FAA Registration: N88972
- Mfg. Plant: Fairfax - Kansas City, Kansas
- Completion Date: October 6, 1943
- Delivery Date: October 27, 1943 - Transferred to the RAF in January 1944
- Status: Flying
- Owner: Historic Flight Foundation
- Location: Spokane, Washington
- Website: http://www.historicflight.org/hf/
- Notable info: The oldest of 2 currently flying B-25D's.
Photos
This page represents the most current information we have on this aircraft. The information above was last updated 08/2017 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.