B-25 Mitchell In Civil Service by Scott A. Thompson $19.95

This book contains the complete story of the North American B-25 Mitchell in post-World War II civil service. Though the U.S. combat service of this famous medium bomber ended in 1945, military utilization continued into the early 1960s. As a result, numerous B-25s made it into the civil ranks and their story is documented here. From early roles as test beds and corporate transports, the B-25 later became useful as agricultural sprayers and air tankers. Receiving and undeserved reputation as a dangerous air tanker, dozens of ex-borate bombers languished on airfields across the country through the 1960s. Many were saved by movie use such as Catch-22, while others formed the foundation of the young warbird industry as groups like the Confederate Air Force sought to preserve the vanishing breed. Today, pristine B-25s ply the airways, always drawing a crowd at the airshows and turning heads with the loud bark of twin Wright R-2600s. This book provides an unprecedented photo record of the B-25 in civil service, with details about the many roles played by the Mitchell in the years since World War II. Individual aircraft histories are included, as are detailed appendices and indexes. Stories of movie use (Catch-22 and Hanover Street), the Tallmantz B-25s, the B-25s use as an air tanker and transport, and those companies which today specialize in B-25 restorations, are all assembled here in one comprehensive book. 8.5"x11", softcover, 144 pages, 190 photos, 16 pages of color. Published by Aero Vintage Books.

Table of Contents
Preface
Introduction

1. Swords to Plowshares: The Transition
2. Executive and Research Use
3. Air Tankers and Sprayers
4. Hollywood Mitchells
5. Photo Gallery
6. Paul Mantz and the Tallmantz B-25s
7. Warbirds
8. On Display
9. Individual Aircraft Histories

Appendix 1. Civil Registration to AAF Serial Number
Appendix 2. Listing of B-25 Registered Owners
Appendix 3. B-25 Limited Type Certificate
Appendix 4. Movie and Television B-25s

Aircraft Photo Index
Index