The North American B-25J Mitchell "Yellow Rose" is one of the over 11,000 B-25s built during WWII. There are only twenty-seven restored and flying in the United States at this time. Colonel Kelly Klaus, the Executive Officer of the Central Texas Wing estimates that there may be 35 B-25s in any condition, worldwide.
Over 11,000 B-25s built during WWII.
Our B-25J the "Yellow Rose" is one of perhaps 35 remaining worldwide.
Photo taken at the Thunder Over Michigan Show at Ypsilanti, 2007.
Here the "Yellow Rose's" special story.
1943:
The Commemorative Air Force B-25 Yellow Rose was built in 1943 as B-25J-5-NC, serial number 43-27868.
Women were a large part of the work force at the assembly plant.
April 26,1943
The Yellow Rose was delivered, over one year before the end of World War II.
July 1949:
The bomber was removed from storage and assigned to the 3750th Technical Training Wing (Air Training Command) as a ground instructional airframe at Shepard AFB, Texas. It remained there for almost seven years without flying, which explains the low airframe time.
April 1956:
The aircraft was flown to the Birmingham Modification Center where Hayes Aircraft Company converted it to a TB 25N and returned it to flying status.
December 11, 1959:
The Rose was sold to Fogle Aircraft Co., Tucson, AZ for $1,395. Later, in February 1960, Dothan Aviation Corp bought the aircraft for for $2,500.
May 1944:
The aircraft was assigned to the 334th Bombardment (Medium) Group (Third Air Force) and later, to the 331st AAF Base Unit (Combat Crew Replacement Training), 3rd AF, Greenville Army Air Field (AAF), South Carolina. There were deployments to Myrtle Beach AAF, SC and Columbia AAF, SC during this period.
The aircraft was assigned to the 334th Bombardment (Medium) Group (Third Air Force) and later, to the 331st AAF Base Unit (Combat Crew Replacement Training), 3rd AF, Greenville Army Air Field (AAF), South Carolina. There were deployments to Myrtle Beach AAF, SC and Columbia AAF, SC during this period.
February 1945:
The Rose was assigned to the 128th AAF Base Unit (Continental Air Force), Greenville AAF, SC. December 1945: The Rose was assigned to the 112th AAF Base Unit (ConAF), Hartford AAF, CT.
The Rose was assigned to the 128th AAF Base Unit (Continental Air Force), Greenville AAF, SC. December 1945: The Rose was assigned to the 112th AAF Base Unit (ConAF), Hartford AAF, CT.
January 1946:
The aircraft was assigned to the 112th AAF Base Unit (ConAF), Westover AFB, Massachusetts. February 1946: The Rose was placed in storage at the 4168th AAF Base Unit (Air Technical Service Command) at South Plains AAF, Texas.
The aircraft was assigned to the 112th AAF Base Unit (ConAF), Westover AFB, Massachusetts. February 1946: The Rose was placed in storage at the 4168th AAF Base Unit (Air Technical Service Command) at South Plains AAF, Texas.
July 1947:
The aircraft was transferred to another storage location at the 4141st AAF Base Unit (Air Material Command) at Pyote AAF, Texas.
The aircraft was transferred to another storage location at the 4141st AAF Base Unit (Air Material Command) at Pyote AAF, Texas.
July 1949:
The bomber was removed from storage and assigned to the 3750th Technical Training Wing (Air Training Command) as a ground instructional airframe at Shepard AFB, Texas. It remained there for almost seven years without flying, which explains the low airframe time.
April 1956:
The aircraft was flown to the Birmingham Modification Center where Hayes Aircraft Company converted it to a TB 25N and returned it to flying status.
June 1956:
The plane was assigned to the 3640th Pilot Training Wing (ATC) at Laredo AFB, Texas and that assignment included a deployment to Offutt AFB, Nebraska.
The plane was assigned to the 3640th Pilot Training Wing (ATC) at Laredo AFB, Texas and that assignment included a deployment to Offutt AFB, Nebraska.
September 1958:
The aircraft was put back into storage at the Arizona Aircraft Storage Branch (Air Material Command) at Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona.
The aircraft was put back into storage at the Arizona Aircraft Storage Branch (Air Material Command) at Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona.
The Rose was sold to Fogle Aircraft Co., Tucson, AZ for $1,395. Later, in February 1960, Dothan Aviation Corp bought the aircraft for for $2,500.
March 1960:
The registration number N9077Z was issued for the aircraft.
The registration number N9077Z was issued for the aircraft.
January 1962:
The aircraft was modified for agricultural spraying and dusting.
The aircraft was modified for agricultural spraying and dusting.
October 1975:
The bomber was sold to John Stokes of San Marcos, TX.
The bomber was sold to John Stokes of San Marcos, TX.
September 1977:
John Stokes was approached by future CAF partners and he sold to Charles Skipper of Boerne, TX, Charles Becker, of San Antonio, TX and Jack Jones, of San Antonio, TX.
John Stokes was approached by future CAF partners and he sold to Charles Skipper of Boerne, TX, Charles Becker, of San Antonio, TX and Jack Jones, of San Antonio, TX.
July 1979:
The aircraft was sold to the Confederate AF in Harlingen, TX.
The aircraft was sold to the Confederate AF in Harlingen, TX.
July 1991:
The registration was changed to N25YR and the title transferred to the American Airpower Heritage Flying Museum, Midland. TX.
The registration was changed to N25YR and the title transferred to the American Airpower Heritage Flying Museum, Midland. TX.
January 2002:
The Confederate Air Force changed its name to the Commemorative Air Force.
For more information about the restoration work accomplished by the CAF Centex Wing Please visit Blog Post.
For more information about the restoration work accomplished by the CAF Centex Wing Please visit Blog Post.
For More in formation on The Central Texas Wing of The Commemorative Air Force
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