B-25J-30-NC SN 44-86708
History
The B-25-30-NC now being restored was accepted on July 23, 1945 and initially assigned to Williams Field, Arizona on July 26, 1945. She was excess to base needs and was stored there until transferred to Mather Field, California in January of the next year. There, she was used for proficiency duties and navigator training. On December 5, 1946, she was transferred to Maxwell Air Force Base and assigned to the Base Administrative Unit. Listed as the 502nd Base Unit, in March of 1948 was changed to the 3800 Air University Wing. Here, she was used by utility units providing administrative support to the Air University for proficiency flying and transport needs. On April 16, 1949, she was involved in a wheels-up landing. She would be repaired and returned to service. In March of 1955, she was transferred to Birmingham, Alabama for conversion to VB-25N. She would return to Maxwell AFB after conversion where she would stay until she was retired to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in August of 1958. She was declared surplus in February of 1959. The following summary of assignments are listed on her record card:
Base Assignments
| Date | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 7/26/1945 | Williams AAF, AZ | 3008 Base Unit |
| 01/27/1946 | Mather AAF, CA | 2622 Base Unit |
| 12/05/1946 | Maxwell AFB, AL | 42 Base Unit |
| 11/17/1947 | Maxwell AFB, AL | 502 Base Unit |
| 03/25/1948 | Maxwell AFB, AL | 3800 Air Univeristy Wing |
| 03/07/1951 | Brookley AFB, AL | Maintenance to VB-25J |
| 06/01/1951 | Maxwell AFB, AL | 3800 Air Univeristy Wing |
| 03/22/1955 | Birmingham, AL | Conversion to VB-25N |
| 06/04/1955 | Maxwell AFB, AL | 3800 Air Univeristy Wing |
| 08/1958 | Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ | Storage |
| 02/1959 | Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ | Surplus |
Initial civilian records for this B-25 are a bit sketchy due to a fire at the Federal Records Center in Suitland, Maryland. Her civilian registration was issued on August 25, 1959 apparently being sold to an owner in Pennsylvania. She was flown from Davis-Monthan to Pennsylvania in 1959 and it is believed that is her only civilian flight. In 1965, she was purchased by Walter Soplata of Newbury, Ohio and move to his collection. The aircraft in the Spolata collection were periodically maintained, but no major restoration work was completed. In 1997, Steve Detch of Appharetta, Georgia bought her but apparently did not retrieve her. In August of 2017, she was recovered by Kevin Hooey and transported to Corning, New York for restoration to airworthy. Her center section is being restored by Tom Reilly.
- Model: B-25J-30-NC
- Serial Number: 44-86708
- NAA Mfg. Number: 108-47462
- FAA Registration: N3682G
- Mfg. Plant: Fairfax - Kansas City, Kansas
- Completion Date: July 20, 1945
- Delivery Date: July 23, 1945
- Status: Restoration
- Owner: Kevin Hooey
- Location: Corning, New York
- Website:
- Notable info:
Photos
This page represents the most current information we have on this aircraft. The information above was last updated 08/2017 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.