T I N - L I Z
T I N - L I Z
Hi Mark, OK here are the shots of the 499 Sqd "Bats out of Hell" B25 Mitchell 41-12442 from Aitape- it is outside the school on the road out to Tadji strip.
The tail surfaces and undercarriage came from the 501st Squadron Air Apache Mitchell you mentioned- 41-30074 from Dagua. You can see the 074 on the tail though I do believe this is a more recent repaint job, same with the airforce star and the Bats out of Hell insignia.
This Mitchell is a very historic one- it was only the ninth B-25C produced and earlier in the war went to the Phillipines from Townsville for 4 days or so of operations. It is also credited with a Jap ship sunk during the Battle of the Bismarck sea. By the way, I may be going back to PNG for a few weeks next year, so let me know if you are interested in having a look for your Dad's aircraft remains at Dagua- I know the area reasonably well- there is a well preserved Jap Ki49 there also. And another B25 wreck near Saidor- Fer de Lance.
Cheers,
Phil Bradley
Thank You Phil
Thank You Phil for the info on this
historic aircraft. I have been looking for info on my fathers plane for some
time and might even include a section on it in my 345th BG film. I am looking
forward to seeing the photos.
Mark Forman
The Photos Below:
All Photos Courtesy of Phil Bradley
©Phil Bradley 2000