B-25J-25-NC SN 44-30010
History
The B-25J-25 SN 44-30010 was delivered on November 27, 1944 and assigned to LaJunta AAF, Colorado for advance twin-engine pilot training. Reassigned to Minter Field, California in April 1945 she served out the remainder of WW II as a multi-engine pilot trainer. She was transferred to Randolph Field, Texas in December 1945 for storage. She was assigned to Lowry Field, Colorado in March 1946 where she was used for administrative and utility functions. Five months later sje was sent to Chanute Field, Illinois where she was used for proficiency flying by the base training unit and later with the technical training command at Chanute. Continuing as a primary trainer she was used at both Barksdale and Vance Air Force Bases from February 1948 until November 1949. The last duty station for her as a TB-25J was Kessler Field, Missouri where she was again assigned to pilot and crew training. After a year and a half at Kessler she was withdrawn in 1951 for conversion to a TB-25K radar trainer. The TB-25K included installation of the E-1 radar system for the airborne fire control systems and radar intercept equipment for the radar intercept training program. The conversion allowed room for a student and instructor in the forward section and an additional student and instructor in the rear section of the aircraft. After the conversion she was sent to the radar intercept-training base at James Connally AFB in Waco Texas. She was used training intercept crews from l951 until retired in December 1957. The following summary of assignments are listed on her record card:
Base Assignments
| Date | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 11/28/1944 | LaJunta AAF, CO | 3030 Base Unit |
| 04/02/1945 | Minter Field, CA | 3008 Base Unit |
| 12/25/1945 | Randolph Field, TX | 2532 Base Unit |
| 03/25/1946 | Lowry Field, CO | 3705 Base Unit |
| 08/08/1946 | Chanute Field, IL | 3502 Base Unit |
| 02/13/1948 | Barksdale AAF, LA | 2621 Base Unit |
| 08/28/1948 | Barksdale AAF, LA | 3500 Primary Training Wing |
| 06/27/1949 | Vance AAF, OK | 3675 Pilot Training Wing |
| 11/02/1949 | Kessler AAF, MS | 3380 Training Wing |
| 03/24/1950 | Brookley AAF, AL | Maintenance |
| 05/26/1950 | Kessler AAF, MS | 3380 Training Wing |
| 05/10/1951 | Culver Field, CA | Maintenance to TB-25K |
| 11/30/1951 | James Connally AFB, TX | 3565 Basic Training Wing |
| 07/07/1954 | Birmingham, AL | Maintenance |
| 11/11/1954 | James Connally AFB, TX | 3565 Navigator Training Wing |
| 12/1957 | Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ | Storage |
| 01/1958 | Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ | Surplus |
Made available at a surplus sale, she was bought by Mr. H. Coffield of Rockdale, Texas in August 1958. Mr. Coffield bought the aircraft for use in an air freight operation. She flew only once for Mr. Coffield that being the ferry flight to Rockdale, Texas from Arizona. She sat at Rockdale sinking a little deeper each year into the ground for the next 25 years. With the death of Mr. Coffield in 1983 his estate was auctioned off and Jerry Beck of Wahpeton, North Dakota purchased her which was one of three B-25s available there at the time. She was prepared for a ferry flight from Texas to North Dakota by replacing several engine cylinders, instrument gauges and several other essential items. To the surprise of many she was again airborne and headed for North Dakota after several weeks of work. This was the first flight in 25 years for the aircraft. The flight had no major problems and she was placed in storage at Mr. Beck's hanger pending time for a restoration. Restoration never took place and she remained idle and hangered. As of 2010 she was still stored in Wahpeton as part of Mr Becks estate. Currently, she is on display with the Fargo Air Museum in Fargo, North Dakota.
- Model: B-25J-25-NC
- Serial Number: 44-30010
- NAA Mfg. Number: 108-33285
- FAA Registration: N9641C
- Mfg. Plant: Fairfax - Kansas City, Kansas
- Completion Date: November 27, 1944
- Delivery Date: November 27, 1944
- Status: Static
- Owner: Fargo Air Museum
- Location: Fargo, ND
- Website: https://fargoairmuseum.org/
- Notable info:
Photos
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.