B-25J-30, 44-30934, 1/Lt Charles E. Rice, Jr., 449th BS, 345th BG, 5th AF, Kadena, Okinawa, July 1945
The most significant mission of the
Mitchell named Betty’s Dream was escort of two white Betty bombers aboard which
Japanese peace envoys traveled to le Shima on August 21, 1945, after the
previous surrender in Manila. The aircraft was assigned to 1/Lt Charles “Pop”
Rice, Jr. who later became the unit’s operations officer. The Betty’s Dream
ship was only briefly with the 449th BS, having been assigned to the unit in
June 1945. Due to that, it showed just a little sign of war wear and tear. The
typical drawing of a bat on the nose referred to the unit’s name, Bats
Outa’Hell. The famous Indian head was painted in its later form, which was the
artwork of Cpl. Charles O. Metzel and was applied on the aircraft of the “Air
Apaches” from March 1945.
B-25J-10, 43-28145, 71st BS, 38th BG, 5th AF, Lingayen, Philippines, 1945
The “Sunsetters”, as was the 38th
Bombardment Group known, consisted of four squadrons, of which the 71st
BS was nicknamed “Wolf Pack”. Tis aircraft is known in two marking states, as
it originally sported smaller wolf head painted on the nose and no bombing mission
marks under the cockpit. Later the wolf head was changed for bigger one and
marks indicating 106 missions were added. Originally, the side gun packs were
fitted, known photos of the later state of marking show they had been removed.
The decals of this marking option refer to the early version. Unfortunately,
not too much is known about this aircraft. There was nothing found about it in
the squadron’s official records, as many mission reports do not specify the
aircraft participating. There is also uncertainty about the color of the
Estrallita inscription as well as of the wolf’s head, as it was usually painted
either brown or dark gray. We tend to believe it was brown in this case. Regarding
the Estrallita sign we offer green and red option to choose from…
B-25J-20, 44-29147, Lt. William J. Faucher, 396th BS, 41st BG, 7th AF, Kadena, Okinawa, July 1945
The 41st Bombardment Group moved from
Hawai to Okinawa for the final part of the war in June 1945 and they were the
first unit to use the Mitchells to attack the Japanese home soil since the
famous Doolitle Raid in 1942. The mission No. 1-45 was flown by 15 aircraft
which attacked the Chiran airfield on Kyushu Island. The 44-29147 did not
participate but was flown on other occasions. The aircraft was assigned to Lt.
“Bill” Faucher, who was usually in crew with Lt. F. E. Brown as co-pilot. The
aircraft was one of those left in natural metal finish and sported the girl wearing
blue bikini swimsuit on the port side of the nose. The painting was probably
one of many within USAAF inspired by famous Alberto Vargas’ paintings.
B-25J-20, 44-29657, 1/Lt Thomas Cockrell, 100th BS, 42nd BG, 13th AF, Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines, 1945
Activated on January 15, 1940, 42nd BG
patrolled the west coast during 1942 and moved to the Pacific theater in March
and April 1943. The Group named “Crusaders” was assigned to 13th AF and entered
combat in June 1943, operating from bases in the Solomon Islands. In March 1945
the group moved to the Philippines and attacked shipping along the China coast,
targets in French Indochina and bombed airfields and installations in the
Philippines. They also supported ground operations on Mindanao and supported
Australian forces on Borneo during May and June 1945. Early in 1945 fifth unit,
100th BS, previously known as 106th Reconnaisance
Squadron, was incorporated into the Crusaders. This Mitchell was assigned to
Lt. Thomas Cockrell, whose son Gordon later followed father’s footsteps as he served
with US Army as a helicopter pilot. The colors of the noseart are not known, we
tend to believe the blue colors of Crusaders’ shield and of the insignia were
used. Red central circle is also possible, but the red circles were something unwanted
on the aircraft fighting against Japanese…
B-25J-30, 44-31063, 498th BS, 345th BG, 5th AF, le Shima, Okinawa, Japan, July 1945
One of the most
famous and colorful units in the Pacific, the “Air Apaches”, was constituted on
September 3, 1942, as 345th Bombing Group (medium) and after
activation they trained immediately with B-25s. Originally, they were to be
deployed in UK, but Major General George C. Kenney had successfully pledged for
more B-25 units to be assigned to his 5th Air Force. Thus, in April
1943, the Group moved to the Pacific Theatre and after arrival to Australia,
their B-25Ds were field-modified to Strafer version according to the
instructions set-up by famous “Pappy” Gunn, at the time already the Technical
Officer of the 5th Air Force. The “Air Apaches” participated with
these and later with B-25Js in no less than nine major campaigns. All four
squadrons they consisted of had their distinctive markings and names, the 498th
BS being known as “Falcons” with the stylized falcon head adorning the nose of
each aircraft of the unit. The state of Darlin’ Donna portrayed here matches
the appearance of the aircraft when it arrived at le Shima at the end of July
1945. It was not sporting the famous Indian head nor the white wingtips, applied
at the time already. The leading edges of the tail surfaces and wing had
irregular strikes of the green color darker than the original and worn Olive
Drab.