CAF Centex B-25, the "yellow Rose" still flying after 70 years.

The "Yellow Rose" Centex's B-25 has a rich history.

Visit Centex Wing's Historic Hanger and see our B-25.

The B-25 is one of the best-known and most recognizable aircraft of World War II. 
The B-25 made famous by "Doolittle's 1942 Raid" on Japan.
The actual flight deck of the USS Hornet on April 18, 1942 showing the chevron arrangement needed by the B-25s to gain the extra length required for a successful takeoff.

Great Cockpit GoPro video 4 - minutes.

The B-25 proved to be a rugged and versatile fighting machine.  It was used as a horizontal bomber; for low level attack and ground support.  The Navy used it as a patrol bomber against enemy shipping and submarines. It was fitted a variety of armaments.  Some versions had fourteen forward-firing machine guns and the “G” and “H” models featured forward firing 75mm cannon!  

Unfortunately, of the approximately 10,000 planes built by North American, only about 30 are still airworthy.  

Women B-25 Engineering Test Pilots.

Dorothy Dodd Eppstein, Hellen Skjersaa Hansen, Doris Burmester Nathan and Elizabeth Chadwick Dressler, walk in front of a B-25 plane, as they were Air Force engineering test pilots for the B-25 during World War II.

One of these is the “Yellow Rose” operated by the Yellow Rose Squadron of the CAF, based in San Marcos, Texas. 

Rose, also known as B-25 B-25J-5-NC-Serial Number 43-27868, is one of the finest examples of the B-25 flying today.  She was built and delivered to the Army Air Corps in 1944.  The B-25J was the largest production run of this aircraft.  

It was armed with thirteen machine guns and fitted with the top secret Norden Bomb Sight to guide its bombs to the target.  Rose is a flying example of this model, complete to its bombsight, moveable turret and machine guns. 

The "Yellow Rose", the christened name of the vintage B-25J Mitchell WWII bomber, is once again touring the American skies. The bomber is completely restored to its wartime capabilities and is operated by the Central Texas Wing of the Commemorative Air Force (CAF). It is one of the flying museum pieces belonging to the organization's "Ghost Squadron" aircraft collection. After four years, the aircraft was lovingly restored to WWII condition by members of the Central Texas Wing and donated to the CAF in 1981. 
Keeping a B-25 built in 1943 in flying condition is quite an accomplishment in of itself.

Literally thousands of man hours were donated over the four year period by the members of the Yellow Rose Squadron in order to bring the Rose back into full operational readiness. The restoration project met numerous problems including the lack of parts and, of course, lack of funds. With the help of dedicated aviation enthusiasts throughout the state of Texas and the skill of volunteer craftsmen, the plane was again ready to fly. The airplane now visits an average of 25 cities and towns across the United States each year as a patriotic and education exhibit dedicated to those who gave their all for world freedom during WWII. 

The Rose is a flying museum. You can go through the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum in Washington D.C. and see an awe inspiring display of aircraft. However, the majority of people never get the opportunity to do that. 

The Central Texas Wing flies its museum piece to the people, and that's quite a feat considering the airplane is over 70 years old. If seeing this warbird isn't enough, people can lay their hand on the rivets that keep her together. You can crawl through the Rose, touch it, smell the hydraulic fluid, and get greasy from those big radial engines. 

The Yellow Rose flying over the USS Lexington, the same class aircraft carrier as the USS Hornet.

Since the two 1,700 horsepower engines burn approximately $350 worth of fuel per hour, costs run high for the Central Texas Wing. Staffed entirely by volunteers, financing is accomplished mainly through donations, tours of the aircraft, and the sale of memorabilia. These monies help to offset the high operational cost. As a non-profit, tax exempt organization, the CAF must rely on the communities that the Rose visits as the legacy of this historic aircraft endures. "We are very careful with every penny," said Jack Hart, a Central Texas Wing member. "Everyone on the crew is a volunteer, and each member pays his or her own expenses. However, we never turn down outside donations." 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.

B-25 Technical Data

Crew

6

Propulsion

2 Radial Engines

Engine Model

Wright R-2600-92 Cyclone

Engine Power (each)

1268 kW

1700 hp

Speed

443 km/h

239 kts

  275 mph

Service Ceiling

7.376 m

24.200 ft

Range

2.172 km

1.173 NM

1.350 mi.

Empty Weight

8.836 kg

19.480 lbs

max. Takeoff Weight

15.876 kg

35.000 lbs

Wing Span

20,60 m

67,6 ft

Wing Area

56,7 m²

610 ft²

Length

16,13 m

52,9 ft

Height

4,98 m

16,3 ft

First Flight

01/1939 (NA-40) 19.08.1940 (B-25)

Production Status

out of production

Total Production

Appox. 10,000

NATO Code

Bank

Data for (Version)

North American B-25J Mitchell

Variants

B-25, B-25A, B-25B / Mitchell Mk I, B-25C / Mitchell Mk II. ZB-25C, B-25D, ZB-25D, ZXB-25E, B-25G, B-25H, B-25J / Mitchell Mk III, CB-25J, VB-25J, AT-24A / TB-25D, AT-24B / TB-25G,

For More in formation on The Central Texas Wing of The Commemorative Air Force 

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