Graduated Class 53-G. After six months at Bartow AB Fla. in the AT-6, spent the next six months at Vance AFB, Okla. wih 40 hrs in T-28 and then up to North Stage to fly tis wonderful aircraft; it was an experience I will never forget. Enjoyed every minute in the air with this marvelous airplane. A toast to all who flew it.

i was stationed at reese afb, lubbock tx. from 51 through 55. i have logged a little over 5000 hrs as crew chief and flight eng. many fond memories their. we were training pilots from all over the world. i was chief on tail no.787 a b-25 l model.

I'm fortunate to have 2 officially logged flights (rt.seat)in the B-25. I was an instructor in the T-33 at Laredo AFB one day when a guy walked in looking for a co-pilot to fly the pistol team to/from Laredo to Reese (Lubbock). Years before, during ROTC days, I did a book report on Doolittle's Tokyo raid. So now, I can talk about flying this historical aircraft.

The first B-25 to take off from the aircraft carrier USS Hornet was on Feb 2nd, 1942 by Lt. John E. Fitzgerald. Three B-25's were placed on the 'Hornet" to test the ability of launching B-25's for the "Raid on Tokyo" 4/18/42.
The first B-25 to be launched on the raid was AC. 40-2344 Pilot James Doolittle , Co-Pilot R.E. "Dick" Cole, Nav. Henry A "Hank" Potter, Bombardier S/Sgt. Fred A. Braemer, Flt Eng- Gunner S/Sgt. Paul E. Leonard

If I remember correctlyl, this is the aircraft Bill Mitchel flew from the aircraft carrier Hornet to make the first bombing run on Tokyo.

I graduated from the last B-25 class at Lubbock, Texas (Class 58-L). Hearing that ealrly morning flight line with engines running has been unforgetable. Best wishes to all who experienced that fabulous aircraft.

Picture shown is NOT a B25J. The B25J does not have a greenhouse in the nose. It has 8 50 caliber machine guns in the nose. I would like to see a B25J. I flew 25 missions in B25J.

Other than for getting a whole lot of stuff! You forgot to mention the U.S.Marine Corp's PBJ-1D.-1J, and -1H aircraft.

Please make the following changes to the my email comments
I sent to you on 30.4.2008:
(1). Line six should read = Presidential Distinguished Unit Citation .... (I left out Distinguished).
(2). Line nine after Website add =

You guys do good work. Thanks for your help.
Jack DeTour 38 BG WW II

The 38th Bomb Group played a very significant roll in winning WW II in the Pacific. They flew B-25s strafing and bombing shipping, port facilities, air fields, rail road yards, oil fields, alcohol plants and ground support on a daily basis for four and a half Years from Australia to Japan. It was combat at 20 feet. The 38 BG was awarded four Presidential Unit Citations - more than any other unit
in the Pacific. One 38th BG member, Major Ralph Cheli, was awarded "The Medal Of Honor" while flying a mission in a
B-25. Check the 38 BG Website
-- Jack DeTour --

My dad flew B-25's in the CBI theatre. He was flying a later model (no co-pilot) and was severely wounded bombing a bridge in VietNam. Wounded, he flew it home w/o O2 through a thunderstorm w/o canopy and instruments. This has to be one of the most widely used (all theatres) and field modified (12 .50cal MG firing forward w/75mm cannon too) a/c in history.