B-25J-35-NC SN 45-8883 "Hot Gen!"

History

The B-25J-35-NC SN 45-8883 now flying as "Hot Gen!" was delivered when the North American Aviation B-25 contract was terminated. She was flown directly to the RFC from the factory. The following summary of assignments are listed on her record card:

Base Assignments

Less than a year after being completed by North American Aviation she was sold in a surplus sale in l946. Basically a new aircraft, she sold for a higher price than the other surplus combat B-25s then available. She was a low time airframe with less than 10 hours ferry time on her and had not been outfitted with military hardware. She was initially purchased by A. B. Fitzgerald on September 10, 1946. Her registration was assigned as N75755 in January of 1947. In July of 1948, she was sold to Albert Trostel and Sons of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She was again sold in May of 1950 to Northern Pump Company of Minneapolis, Minnesota. They sold her in November of 1958 to Peter Volid of Chicago, Illinois. In February of 1964, she was sold to King Korn Stamp Company also of Chicago Illinois. She was then sold in February of 1964 to Dee Bannister of Seymour, Indiana. She was transferred back to King Korn Stamp Company in January of 1965. In December of 1965, she was purchased by American Learjet Corporation in Tarkio, Missouri. They sold her in August of 1966 to Jack Adams Aircraft of Wells, Minnesota. She was again sold in April of 1967 to R. H. Wood of Laurel, Maryland. She was then transferred to Wilbert Vault Services of Laurel, Maryland. She was sold again in December of 1973 to Robert W. Trainer of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The civilian owners took advantage of this new aircraft and modified her into an executive transport. She was an active corporate aircraft for most of her civilian days and was reported to be relatively quiet for a B-25. This was due to the extra soundproofing that had been added. An unusual modification to this aircraft was the installation of a three bottle JATO System in the rear section of the aircraft. This system remained in the aircraft for a major portion of its civilian career although the frequency of use is not known. Operated by several corporate organizations she was finally retired from executive use and used for electronic flight tests in 1974 when she was sold to Flight Test Engineering Company of Newalk, Delaware. In late 1975, she was purchased by the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum marked as "She's a Silver Lady". Her registration was reserved as C-GCWA. This was later changed to her current C-GCWM. She was restored and her first flight was May 8, 1976. She was flying as B-25 HD-372 from the 98th Squadron to commemorate F/O David Pudney of the RCAF, who earned a Distinguished Flying Cross in action during World War II. Her Name was changed to "Hot Gen!" in 1992. For a short time, she was repainted as "Grumpy". Her original nose art has been recreated and she is currently flying as "Hot Gen!"

• Model: B-25J-35-NC
• Serial Number: 45-8883
• NAA Mfg. Number: 108-47734
• FAA Registration: C-GCWM
• Mfg. Plant: Fairfax - Kansas City, Kansas
• Completion Date: October 13, 1945
• Delivery Date: Contract termination
• Status: Flying
• Owner: Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum
• Location: Mount Hope, Ontario
• Website: http://www.warplane.com/
• Notable info:

This page represents the most current information we have on this aircraft. The information above was last updated 05/2018 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.