B-25J-15-NC 44-28765
History
B-25J-15-NC 44-28765 was delivered on July 31, 1944. She first served in a base administrative role at Kelly Field, Texas for four months. In December 1944 she was transferred to Brookley Field, Alabama where she was used in advance twin-engine training. By January 1946 she was assigned to McClellan Field, California where she was used in both administrative and training duties. In January of 1948, she was assigned to the Third Air Force Headquarters located in Seattle, Washington. She was used for administrative work and proficiency flight duties. In March 1948 she was assigned for electronic testing and was modified at Robins AFB, Georgia and served with the 3150th Electronic Testing Squadron at Robins AFB. In December 1950 she was sent to the research facility at Wright-Paterson AFB where she was again used for electronic tests and evaluations. On December 1, 1949 the Air Force Special Weapons Command at Kirkland AFB, New Mexico was formed for testing and support of the Air Force Special Weapons units and the Atomic Energy Commissions nuclear program. On July 17, 1951 she was sent to Kirkland AFB where she was attached to the 4901st Support Unit. The B-25s there along with C-47s, C-45s and several other types, were used to support the nuclear weapons program and transport personnel and equipment to test sites. Changes in Air Force organization of the Special Weapons Command in 1955 resulted in her being assigned to the 4900th Air Base Wing at Kirkland. She was operated out of Kirkland until retired to Davis-Monthan AFB in November 1958. The following summary of assignments are listed on her record card:
Base Assignments
| Date | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 08/08/1944 | Kelly Field, TX | 4511 Base Unit |
| 12/20/1944 | Brookley AAF, AL | 4007/4119 Units |
| 01/13/1946 | McClellan AAF, CA | 4127 Base Unit |
| 01/28/1948 | Seattle, WA | 3rd Air Force HQ |
| 03/18/1948 | Robins AFB, GA | 3150 ET Squadron |
| 12/05/1950 | Wright-Patt. AFB, OH | 2750 Air Base Wing |
| 07/17/1951 | Kirkland AFB, NM | 4901 Support Unit |
| 10/14/1951 | Brookley AFB, AL | Maintenance |
| 12/28/1951 | Kirkland AFB, NM | 4901 Support Unit |
| 11/11/1954 | Birmingham, AL | Maintenance to VB-25N |
| 02/21/1955 | Kirkland AFB, NM | 4900 Air Base Group |
| 11/1958 | Davis Monthan AFB, AZ | Storage |
| 12/1959 | Davis Monthan AFB, AZ | Surplus |
On January 15, 1960 she was sold surplus to National Metals for disposal. She was saved from the smelters by Carma Manufacturing Company of California who purchased the aircraft from National Metal and sold her to Dothan Aviation of Dothan, Alabama. During her civilian life she was modified for spraying and was used for attacking fire ants and other insects. In the early l970s she was grounded and became a source of parts for the other Dothan Aviation B-25s still active. She served with Dothan Aviation until sold in l976. John Stokes of San Marcos, Texas acquired her from Dothan in 1976. After inspection however, he decided to scrap the aircraft as she was deemed uneconomical to restore. Before she was scrapped she was sold to Richard Shepherd and William Knight who planned to restore her. The Heritage in Flight Museum in Springfield, Illinois was able to get the aircraft donated to them by Mr. Shepard and Mr. Knight where it was again planned for restoration. The Heritage in Flight museum had intended to restore it to flying condition but they eventually acquired a better aircraft that made this aircraft expendable for parts again. She was traded to Aero Trader of Chino, California in exchange for work they had performed on their other B-25.
Now missing many parts she would eventually be used in several restoration projects. Her center section was used in the restoration of B-25J-35-NC 45-8898. Parts of the rear section were used on B-25J-30-NC 44-30988 in replacing the cargo door location during its restoration. Her outer wing panels were used in the restoration of B-25J-35-NC 45-8811. In late 1997 the forward cockpit section was restored with a glass nose for display at the Discovery Store in downtown Washington, D.C. It is this display that remains and is now located at the Pima Air and Space Museum.
- Model: B-25J-15-NC
- Serial Number: 44-28765
- NAA Mfg. Number: 108-32040
- FAA Registration: N9443Z
- Mfg. Plant: Fairfax - Kansas City, Kansas
- Completion Date: July 15, 1944
- Delivery Date: July 31, 1944
- Status: Static
- Owner: Pima Air and Space Museum
- Location: Tucson, Arizona
- Website: http://www.pimaair.org/
- Notable info:
Photos
This page represents the most current information we have on this aircraft. The information above was last updated 09/2019 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.