History[]
Built at the Fairfax plant, Kansas City, Kansas, and delivered to U.S. Army Air Force as 43-28204, 15 June 1944. This aircraft was initially assigned to domestic service at Orlando, Florida. Modified to a TB-25N in 1953, the last reported assignment was to Hamilton Field.[2]
Stored at Davis Monthan AFB, AZ, 1958, the aircraft was registered to Blue Mountain Air Service, La Grande, OR, September 18, 1958-1961, as N9856C. Converted to air tanker, May 1959, by instalation of a 1000 gallon tank, and flown as such by Idaho Aircraft Inc, Boise, ID, (March 1961-1962), and Dennis G. Smilanch, Boise, ID, (May 1962-1968).[N 4]
Owned by Filmways Inc., Hollywood, CA, during the period 1968-1972, the aircraft flew in movie Catch-22 (1968-1969). Passed to Tallmantz Aviation, Orange County, CA, April 1971, it was owned by Ted Itano, Borrego Springs, CA, 1972-1984.[1] During this period, 43-28204 was used in the filming of "1941" at Long Beach Airport. She was restored by Aero Traders.[2]
Flown as 43-28204/Pacific Princess 1984-2005 following restoration.[1] In April 1992, she led the formation of B-25s in a "Missing Man" formation to honor the 50th anniversary of the Doolittle raid.[2]
Flown off carrier USS Constelation for movie Pearl Harbor, September 2000, as 0203/Whirling Dervish, the aircraft was owned by Carl W. Scholl, Chino, CA, November 17, 2005-2007. Operated by B-25 Mitchell LLC, Missoula, MT, March 22, 2007-2013, and flown as 328204/Pacific Princess.[1]