North American B-25J Mitchell, 44-31004 / 108-34279, USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Museum
This picture is © Martin Laycock and may not be used or published without permission.
Registration: 44-31004
Construction Number: 108-34279
Code Number: 004 / Mary Alice II
Model North American B-25J Mitchell
Operator: USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Museum
Airport: Mobile - Battleship Memorial Park, USA - Alabama
Photographer: Martin Laycock
Date Taken: 08/1996
Date Submitted: 18/02/2009
Displayed alongside the USS Alabama as part of the Battleship Memorial Park in Mobile, Alabama. This B-25J-30NC is painted in the markings of the 5th AAF, 345th BG (Air Apaches), 498th BS (Falcons). She was delivered to the USAAF on 22 March 1945 straight into storage! She was stored in South Plains, Texas until August 1947 when she was moved to Pyote, Texas and stored again. In November 1948 she was assigned to Barksdale AFB, Louisiana and redisgnated as a TB-25J. In June 1950 she was transferred to Reese AFB, Texas. In October 1954 she was modified again, this time to TB-25N configuration. She was based at Reese until December 1958 when she was flown to Davis Monthan AFB, Arizona for storage. Her military service ended in January 1959 when she was officially struck off charge. Later that year she was aquired by National Metals Inc. of Phoenix, Arizona presumably for scrapping. Thankfully, a civilian career awaited and she was bought in 1960 by Dothan Aviation Corp. and registered N9463Z. She was converted for aerial spraying and stayed with Dothan until 1974. She made her final flight courtesy of a CH-54 helicopter in February 1974 when she was airlifted to Mobile for display. She was the only aircraft displayed outside that survived Hurricane Katrina on the 29 August 2005 without any damage. Other aircraft that were displayed inside a hangar were damaged by Katrina!
Picture ID:1159347