|
 |
|
|
| Missing In Action (MIA) | Prisoners Of War (POW) | Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) |
| Chronology | Locations | Aircraft | Ships | Submit Info | How You Can Help | Donate |
|
| USAAF 5th AF 3rd BG 90th BS Former Assignments ML-KNIL No. 18 Squadron
|
Aircraft History Built by North American Aviation (NAA) in Inglewood. Constructors Number 82-5072. This aircraft was the fourth B-25C manufactured. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-25C Mitchell serial number 41-12437. Wartime History Purchased by the Netherlands for the Militaire Luchtvaart (ML-KNIL) Army Aviation Corps of the Royal Netherlands East Indies Army for use in the Netherlands East Indies (NEI) as B-25C Mitchell N5-132. Afterwards, flown by a Royal Air Force (RAF) Ferry Command aircrew from Hamilton Field via Hickam Field then across the Pacific to Brisbane. On June 21, 1942 assigned serial number N5-124 and later N5-122. Assigned to No. 18 Squadron based at RAAF Fairbairn (Canberra Airport). On September 1, 1942 reassigned to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF), 5th Air Force (5th AF), 3rd Bombardment Group (3rd BG), 13th Bombardment Squadron (13th BS). By the end of the month, nicknamed "General Custer" in a cursive style with double quotation marks. Assigned to crew chief Griffith. On September 30, 1942 at Charters Towers Airfield photographed parked in the flightline with other B-25s from the squadron as part of a publicity photo. During 1943 assigned to the 90th Bombardment Squadron (90th BS). Assigned to Paul "Pappy" Gunn and Reed. Nicknamed "Pappy's Folly" and operated from Port Moresby. On March 25, 1945 while parked at Archerfield Airfield damaged when a B-26 Marauder skidded off the runway onto wet grass on and hit this parked B-25. Ultimate fate unknown, likely scrapped or otherwise disappeared. References USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-25C Mitchell 41-12437 "12437 (MSN 82-5072) to Netherlands Indies AF as N5-132 Feb 5, 1942, ferried to Australia, reserialled as N5-124 Jun 21, 1942. To USAAF Sep 1, 1942. Damaged Mar 25, 1945 at Archerfield, Australia when a landing B-26 skidded off the wet grass runway and hit the aircraft. Renumbered N5-122 Jun 1942. Assigned to 18 Squadron, NEIAF, Canberra, Australia." B-25 Mitchell in Dutch Service "The first five B-25Cs delivered to this squadron had carried the NEIAF serial numbers N5-132, N5-134, N55-135, N5-136 and N5-151" "Early NAA B-25C Mitchells of the ML/KNIL, February 1942-June 1942" by Dr. P.C. Boer 2009, revised December 2012, June 2014 and August 2016 pages 9 (damaged March 25, 1942), 18 (assignment to 18 Squadron), 27 (Table I B-25Cs ferried to Australia: 41-12437 / N5-132), 32 (Table II: B-25Cs operated by 18 Squadron: 41-12437 / N5-132) Harvest of the Grim Reapers Vol. 1 (2021) pages 361 (photo September 30, 1942), 362 (photo September 30, 1942), 366 (photo), 462 (13th BS, 41-12437), 510 (index General Custer) Contribute
Information Last Updated
|
 B-25 |
| Discussion Forum | Daily Updates | Reviews | Museums | Interviews & Oral Histories |
|
