Airplanes are part of us aviation enthusiasts , for many they have a soul, a personality. They are almost like human creatures and as such they also have birthdays! On December 8,2013 the Yankee Air Museum’s B-25 “Yankee Warrior” is turning 70 years old , in fact this beautiful B-25D was manufactured by North American Aviation in Kansas City, Kansas in 1943 ans rolled out of the factory on December the 8th.For this day at the Yankee Air Museum Hangar 1 facility from 1-4pm museum’s members, volunteers , friends and family will celebrate this young lady in style.
As reported on the EAA Warbirds of America’s website Yankee Warrior served in North Africa with the 12th AF 57th Bomb Wing, 340th Bomb Group in Corsica.The Yankee Warrior is not this B-25’s nose art, but is representative of the era. This is the only B-25D flying today and has a combat history in missions over Sicily and through the Brenner Pass. The aircraft was owned by the British and also served in the Royal Canadian Air Force. The Yankee Warrior was purchased by the Yankee Air Museum in 1987.The Yankee Air Museum is also the owner and operator of the Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress “Yankee Lady.” Both airplanes are available for tours and rides, click HERE for more info.
Matt Korich,one of the members of the museum’s PR committee,said: “We are also working on having a few B-25 WWII pilots as well. We will also be thanking the crew and volunteers who have been influential in keeping up the history and documentation of the B-25 even after the turbulent years after the devastating fire for the Yankee Air Museum.” On October 9, 2004, the Yankee Air Museum at Willow Run Airport suffered a terrible fire that destroyed the historic hangar housing the museum. Through the heroic efforts of a few members, the beautifully restored B-17, C-47 and B-25 aircraft were moved out of the building before the fire reached them, thus saving the heart of the collection.
If you are on social media the museum has set up an event on Facebook, you can click HERE to join.
For more information about the museum click HERE.
