Aircraft Information
> Aircraft Make: North American Aviation Model: B-25. Nickname: Mitchell
> Aircraft Mil Civ Description: Airplane ME Piston
> FAA Category and Class: Airplane Multi-engine Land
> Engine Description: Twin piston
Aircraft Experience
> As of: 6/25/2024
> Number of Hours Flown: 1
> Number of Times Flown: 1
> Other Aircraft Models Associated: none
First Flown Information
> Sequence First Flown: 39
> Date First Flown: 12/7/1987
> Location First Flown: Near Ft Worth, TX (did not record airport ID)
> Who and/or What Organization First Flown With: Howard Pardue
Recollections: I flew Serial number 44-30456 with Howard Pardue on a Qualitative Evaluation from, I believe, Breckenride, TX airport (Mr. Pardue’s home airport). What a beast! Hard as heck to taxi (no nosewheel steering and the brakes were extremely sensitive and “grabbed” in a non-linear fashion) but, once free of the ground, she handled well. Flying the Mitchell was a wonderful experience but I also enjoyed getting out of the seat, to let a fellow Test Pilot have his turn, and move to the bubble turret. Flying over the Texas countryside with the most incredible view from that turret is a sold memory in my brain.
Believed to be the same airplane I flew, but 12 years later, Ser No 44-20456 at the Tillamook, OR museum
(c) ROlsen ronsarchive.hom.attbi.com
Years later, I took ground school in the B-25, with the hopes of getting qualified in her at the Historic Flight Foundation near Spokane, WA but the foundation folded before I could make it a reality. I also tried at the CAF’s “Arizona Wing” in Mesa, AZ (attended ground school) but learned that breaking into that world was best accomplished with unlimited time and A&P mechanics skills.
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