TASM North American B-25J Mitchell “Old Glory”

Additional Information:

The North American B-25 Mitchell was an American medium bomber that was introduced in 1941 and named in honor of Brigadier General William “Billy” Mitchell, a pioneer of U.S. military aviation. Used by many Allied air forces, the B-25 served in every theater of World War II. After the war ended many B-25’s remained in service for up to four decades. The aircraft was produced in numerous variants and at the end of the production nearly 10,000 B-25s were built,

Produced in Kansas City, the B-25J was a cross between the B-25D and the B-25H. The J series was the last factory production model of the B-25 and 4,318 were eventually made.

The North American B-25J-15-NC SN 44-28938, now flying as “Old Glory”, was delivered to the US Army Air Forces on August 9, 1944. The bomber was originally assigned to the 12th Air Force in Italy and returned to the U.S. in July of 1945 and was then stored at South Plains, Texas. In 1946, aircraft was recalled for use in an administrative role in Spokane, Washington. In June of 1947, the aircraft was assigned to administrative duty at McClellan Field, California. In 1956 the aircraft was modified by Hayes and re-designated as a TB-25N. After nearly 10 years of service at McClellan, the aircraft was retired from service in December of 1957. On September 16, 1995 the B-25J first flew as “Old Glory”.

The Tulsa Air and Space Museum (TASM) began in 1998 in a 1940’s hangar on the Spartan School of Aeronautics’ campus. In 2005, TASM moved into the Sherman and Ellie Smith Hanger One (its current location) on a 17.8 acre campus on the north side of the Tulsa International Airport.

The Tulsa Air & Space Center flew “Old Glory” to Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque New Mexico for the Armed Forces Day air show on September 10, 2000. The B-25J, 44-28938 was restored in its World War II configuration and provided rides to local residents.

GALLERY: