B-25J-25-NC SN 44-30493

History

The B-25J-25 SN 44-30090 was delivered on January 25, 1945 and had no military activity after she was accepted as she was excess inventory to the war effort by 1945. She spent the first eight years in the military in storage. In early 1953 she was recalled and assigned to an administrative role while attached to the Air University at Maxwell AFB, Alabama. Before this assignment to Maxwell all military hardware was removed at Brookley, Alabama in preparation for a non-combat career. While stationed at Maxwell she was used to support the Air University staff and for proficiency flying. She served only five years of her total thirteen years with the military on active duty status. In late 1958 she was retired and placed in reserve. The following summary of assignments are listed on her record card:

Base Assignments

She was sold surplus from Davis-Monthan AFB on January 15, 1960. Early civil records indicate that she was not actively flown and passed through several owners amassing only a few flying hours until 1968. In 1968 she was acquired by Tallmantz Aviation for the movie "Catch 22". For the film she wore tail code 6Y and was named "Rumblin Rose". At the conclusion of the filming she and the other B-25s were flown back to California from the Mexico film location and put up for sale. One of the 18 B-25s used in this film was intentionally destroyed for a scene in the movie and Tallmantz Aviation retained two aircraft for camera work. The remaining 15 aircraft were eventually sold or traded. Tallmantz Aviation retained 44-30493 and modified her for aerial film work. The original cinerama nose from the first Tallmantz B-25, (N1203) was installed on her when she replaced the first B-25 in the Tallmantz workforce. She was used as a camera aircraft for the TV serial "Baa Baa Black Sheep" as well as other movies and commercial work. By the early 1980s more economical aircraft were available for aerial film work and she was excess to the Tallmantz group. She was sold in 1984 along with the other photo Mitchell N-1042B. She was sold to Sherman Aircraft Inc. of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. She was again sold by Sherman Aircraft and then traded to the Air Force Museum Program. She was restored with a solid gun nose for display at Malmstrom AFB, Great Falls, Montana. Malmstrom AFB, the old Great Falls AAF, was where most of the B-25s and other lend lease aircraft destined for Russia passed through for modifications before being turned over to the Russian Air Force or service in Alaska. She is now on display along with the other aircraft of the base museum collection. She is presently in an overall olive drab color circa early l944.

• Model: B-25J-25-NC
• Serial Number: 44-30493
• NAA Mfg. Number: 108-33768
• FAA Registration: N9451Z
• Mfg. Plant: Fairfax - Kansas City, Kansas
• Completion Date: January 23, 1945
• Delivery Date: January 25, 1945
• Status: Static
• Owner: United States Air Force Museum
• Location: Great Falls, MT
• Website: https://www.malmstrom.af.mil/
• Notable info: Flew in "Catch 22" as "Rumblin Rose".

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.