DOUG DUNCAN COLLECTION
No. 9497. North American NA-108 VB-25N Mitchell (N1042B c/n 108-34098)
Photographed in California, early 1970s, by Doug Duncan

North American NA-108 VB-25N Mitchell

11/30/2009. Remarks by Johan Visschedijk: "Produced for the USAAF, the aircraft was delivered as a B-25J with s/n 44-30823, later became a TB-25J, thereafter a VB-25J. It came on the civil registry as N1042B in 1958, changed hands twice before it was acquired by Tallmantz Aviation Inc. on May 17, 1962.

Like the B-25H N1203, it was converted into a cinema camera ship, with a camara in the nose and tail, and a camera gantry in the bomb bay that could be extended and retracted during flight.

Designated VB-25N it served in the cinema industry for 23 years, and was used in the filming of "Flight of the Phoenix", "Memphis Belle", "How The West Was Won", "Its a Mad Mad Mad World", "Catch 22" and many others.

From 1985 on it had five successive other owners, was converted back to the bomber configuration and had several liveries, and carried the names "Dolly", "Girls Rule", "Top Secret", and presently "Pacific Prowler"."


Created November 30, 2009