B-25J-25-NC SN 44-30823 "God and Country"
History
The B-25J-25-NC SN 44-30823 now flying as "God and Country" was delivered on March 1, 1945. Her initial assignment was to Turner Field, Georgia as a trainer. Here she was deemed excess to needs and placed in base reserve. In August of 1945 she was transferred to Harlingen, Texas and assigned to the flexible air gunnery school. By early 1946, she was transferred to St. Louis AAF where she was stored and listed as inactive. In April of 1947, she was moved to Scott Field, Illinois for use as in pilot training. She was transferred from Scott AFB to Lowry AFB, Colorado where she served from August 1947 until July 1952. While there, she was used for both training and as a staff transport working with the Air Defense Command. Assigned in 1952 to Lackland AFB, Texas she was attached to the base Indoctrination unit and also served with the Military Police unit at the base. She was again used for transport and utility duties. By September of 1958, she was declared surplus. Interestingly, she was not transferred to Davis Monthan due to an accident on her last military flight. After landing at Lackland, the gear retracted while taxing and the damage sustained resulted in her being declared surplus on site. The following summary of assignments are listed on her record card:
Base Assignments
| Date | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 03/02/1945 | Turner Field, GA | 2109 Base Unit |
| 08/17/1945 | Harlingen AAF, TX | 2123 Base Unit |
| 01/29/1944 | St. Louis AAF, MO | 3500 Base Unit |
| 04/27/1947 | Scott AAF, IL | 3505 Base Unit |
| 08/07/1947 | Lowry Field, CO | 3705 Base Unit |
| 08/28/1948 | Lowry Field, CO | 3415 Training Wing |
| 01/15/1951 | Brookley AFB, AL | Maintenance |
| 03/18/1951 | Lowry Field, CO | 3415 Training Wing |
| 07/03/1952 | Lackland AFB, TX | 3700 Indoctrination Wing |
| 11/01/1954 | Sampson AFB, NY | 3650 Training Wing |
| 10/03/1954 | Olmstead AFB, PA | Maintenance |
| 01/02/1955 | Sampson AFB, NY | 3650 Training Wing |
| 06/04/1956 | Birmingham, AL | Maintenance |
| 10/07/1956 | Sampson AFB, NY | 3650 Training Wing |
| 12/20/1956 | Kessler AFB, MS | 3380 Training Wing |
| 05/05/1958 | Lackland AFB, TX | 3700 Training Wing |
| 09/07/1958 | Lackland AFB, TX | Storage |
| 10/07/1958 | Lackland AFB, TX | Surplus |
She was not repaired after her gear-up landing, but sold in that condition. She was purchased by Wenatchee Air Services of Yakima, Washington. She underwent repairs and test flights were completed at Stinson Field. Her civil registration of N1042B was issued. In May of 1962, she was sold to Tallmantz Aviation of Stanta Ana, California and converted to a B-25 Camera Ship. She was used for numerous film projects including "1000 Plane Raid", " Catch 22", "Disney Circle-Vision", "Around the World in 80 Days", and "For Whom the Bell Tolls". In 1986, she was sold to Universal Aviation of Dover, Delaware and operated by Aces High of North Weald, United Kingdom as "Dolly". In 1989, she was used in the filming of the movie "The Memphis Belle". In 1996, she was sold to World Jet Inc. of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida and her restoration work began. She was restored by Tom Reilly in November of 1996. Initially flown as "Girls Rule", she was renamed "Top Secret" by the early 2000s. In late 2002, she was purchased by Jim Terry where she was restored as "Pacific Prowler". In fall of 2013, she was sold to Mid America Flight Museum and is now flown as "God and Country".
- Model: B-25J-25-NC
- Serial Number: 44-30823
- NAA Mfg. Number: 108-34098
- FAA Registration: N1042B
- Mfg. Plant: Fairfax - Kansas City, Kansas
- Completion Date: February 27, 1945
- Delivery Date: March 1, 1945
- Status: Flying
- Owner: Mid America Flight Museum
- Location: Mount Pleasant, Texas
- Website: http://www.midamericaflightmuseum.org/
- Notable info: She was used for numerous film projects including "1000 Plane Raid", "Catch 22", "Disney Circle-Vision", "Around the World in 80 Days", and "For Whom the Bell Tolls". In 1989, she was used in the filming of the movie "The Memphis Belle".
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.