B-25D-30-NC SN 43-3355

History

The B-25D-30-NC SN 43-3355 was completed on October 22, 1943. She was sent to the Kansas City modification center for unknown modifications arriving on October 23, 1943. North American test pilot James Malone flew her for 30 minutes after modifications on November 13, 1943. From the modification center, she was flown to Alaska via Great Falls, Montana and was turned over to the Russians at Ladd Field in March 1944. The following summary of assignments are listed on her record card:

Base Assignments

After accepted by the Russian Air Force, she was flown east and assigned to the 362BA, the equivalent to a US Bomb Group. This was part of the 45BAD or Air Division that encompassed several B-25 units. The Russian B-25 bombing units operated mainly in the south of Russia during the war. 43-3280 was later transferred to the 890TBAP a training unit for bomber pilots. It was reported that on November 30, 1944 she was involved in an accident but no details have been uncovered to explain the severity. She was not listed with any other units after this date.

At the end of WW II the B-25s in use by the Russians were initially re-organized into new units and some soldiered on into the 1950s but many were quickly scrapped. As the Soviet Union developed new aircraft after WWII the old aircraft were gradually replaced. 43-3280 was stored somewhere for a number of years and in the 1980s was recovered. She was not publicly displayed much but was stored as part of a museum collection until the breakup of the Soviet Union. She was eventually refurbished with whatever parts were still available and displayed at the major museum in Monino, Russia. Although at one time listed for sale in 1997 she still remains at the museum on outside display.

• Model: B-25D-30-NC
• Serial Number: 43-3355
• NAA Mfg. Number: 100-23681
• FAA Registration: Never registered
• Mfg. Plant: Fairfax - Kansas City, Kansas
• Completion Date: October 22, 1943
• Delivery Date: October 22, 1943
• Status: Static
• Owner: Moscow Air Force Museum
• Location: Monino, Russia
• Website: http://www.moninoaviation.com/
• Notable info:

This page represents the most current information we have on this aircraft. The information above was last updated 09/2020 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.