B-25J-20-NC SN 44-29869 "Miss Mitchell"
History
The B-25J-20-NC SN 44-29869 now flying as "Miss Mitchell" was delivered on November 10, 1944. Her initial assignment was to Palm Springs, California and used for proficiency flying and crew training. She would remain here until the end of the war. After the war, many military bases were quickly closed, and she was flown to South Plains, Texas for storage. In May of 1946, she was recalled and assigned to Langley Field, Virginia to be used for administrative purposes by the base command. By June of 1947, she was back in storage at Pyote, Texas. Early in 1952, she was modified by Hughes and redesignated as a TB-25K. The TB-25K was used for training radar intercept crews in airborne radar systems. Her conversion included modifications to accept radar sets, electronics, and a nose cose for the E-1 fire control radar system as well as updated wiring and systems. She was then assigned to James Connally Air Force Base, Texas in September of 1952 and used to train radar and target intercept crewmen for the Air Defense Command. By December of 1957 she was flown to storage. The following summary of assignments are listed on her record card:
Base Assignments
| Date | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 11/13/1944 | Palm Springs, CA | 560 Base Unit |
| 1/28/1946 | South Plains AAF, TX | 4168 Base Unit |
| 5/29/1946 | Langley Field, VA | 304 Base Unit |
| 8/21/1946 | Langley Field, VA | 75 Base Unit |
| 6/11/1947 | Pyote AAB, TX | 4141 Base Unit, Storage |
| 12/06/1950 | Pyote AAB, TX | 2753 Air Storage Sqdn |
| 11/14/1951 | Brookley AFB, AL | Maintenance |
| 02/03/1951 | Culver, CA | Maintenance to TB-25K |
| 09/04/1952 | Connally AFB, TX | 3565 Training Wing |
| 11/17/1954 | Birmingham, AL | Maintenance |
| 02/21/1955 | Connally AFB, TX | 3565 Training Wing |
| 12/1957 | Davis Monthan AFB, AZ | Storage |
| 04/1958 | Davis Monthan AFB, AZ | Surplus |
In October of 1958, she was sold to Aviation Rental Service in St. Paul, Minnesota. Her civil registration was reserved of N3160G. She was sold in June of 1970 to Robert Kundel of Rice Lake, Wisconsin. By 1974, she was located in Anoka City, Wisconsin with an olive drab color scheme with yellow cowlings. In December of 1978 she was sold to the Commemorative Air Force (then Confederate Air Force) in Harlingen, Texas. She was assigned to the Minnesota Wing for restoration and brought to Flemming Field in South St. Paul, Minnesota in September of 1978. She was restored to honor a B-25J that served with the 310th Bomb Group, 380th Bomb Squadron during 1944-45 in the Mediterranean. During her restoration, her current nose art was painted by Ray Kowalic, who painted the same nose art on the original "Miss Mitchell". In May of 1991 her registration was changed to the current N27493. Her first flight after restoration was on April 18, 1992 - the 50th anniversary of the Doolittle Raid. In February of 1994, the turret and tail guns were re-installed.
- Model: B-25J-20-NC
- Serial Number: 44-29869
- NAA Mfg. Number: 108-33144
- FAA Registration: N27493
- Mfg. Plant: Fairfax - Kansas City, Kansas
- Completion Date: November 9, 1944
- Delivery Date: November 10, 1944
- Status: Flying
- Owner: Commemorative Air Force, Minnesota Wing
- Location: South St Paul, Minnesota
- Website: http://www.cafmn.org/
- Nose Art Artist: Ray Kowalik
- Artist's Website:
- Notable info: First flight after restoration was on April 18, 1992 - the 50th anniversary of the Doolittle Raid.
Photos
This page represents the most current information we have on this aircraft. The information above was last updated 09/2017 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.