After spending most of the year flying at various locations across the United States, to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the end of World War Two (click this link to see pics and video interview with current owner), a B-25 Mitchell named Old Glory (44-28938) cashed, for the second time in its post-war career.
According to California’s San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office, on 19SEP2020 the crew of Old Glory reported a mechanical problem and made an emergency landing in a Stockton farm field. The emergency landing turned into a crash landing after the old bomber got tripped-up by an irrigation ditch. The three crewmen suffered non-life threatening injuries.
News reports stated that this was the second time the restored combat veteran had crashed. The first time was near Reno, Nevada, in 1987. The dedicated owners spent 18-thousand hours repairing and restoring the damaged B-25, completing the job in 1995. It was then that B-25N 44-28938 got the name Old Glory.
Towards the end of 2019, Old Glory was purchased by The Prescott Foundation-Hanger743 of New York. During WW2 it operated over the Mediterranean with the 12th Army Air Force (specific squadron still unknown). Following the war it was converted to TB-25N radio navigation trainer, then to a waterbomber. In 1978, B-25N 44-28938 began its current career as a flying museum exhibit, under the pseudonyms Dream Lover and Spirit of Tulsa.
Old Glory take-off in Hawaii, end of August 2020, video by Austin Rooney. Unfortunately there is no audio:
The Prescott Foundation states they are cooperating with the NTSB’s (National Transportation Safety Board) investigation into the crash of Old Glory.
What it is like flying on Old Glory, end of August 2020, video by Private Carlie Lopez (edited by me):
COLD WAR S-A-C FLEW WORLD WAR TWO B-25 MITCHELLS
B-25 FLAMIN’ MAIMIE WAS AS COLD AS ICE!