Looking for info and pictures about B-25D-1 s/n 41-30051 from 500th BS, 345th BG

[Antoine]

Hi guys,

 

I'm planning to build an Accurates 1/48 B-25D shortly, and my subject will be B-25D-1 s/n 41-30051 from 500th BS, 345th BG, as it show on Aeromaster 48-691 decal sheet.

The aircraft was previously named "Boom boom".

 

I've started to gather informations about the aircraft, but so far I've been unable to locate any pictures of my subject on the net.

 

Aeromaster gives a few reference books, listed below:

 

- B-25 Mitchell, NL Avery, Phalanx 1992

- History of aircraft nose art, Ethell Motorbooks 1991

- Scale Aircraft Modeller Int. Color files: Splotches

- Warpath across the Pacific R&P Corp 1989

 

I've got only Ethell's book, we're I can't find anything.

I plan to get Warpath, but it's quite expensive, and P&P more than double the price...

And I do not have much confidence in the other two.

 

So:

 

- Can someone confirm that I'll be sure to find information on the aircraft in Warpath?

- Does someone know about ressources (pictures or else) available somewhere on the net?

 

Any help really appreciated!

 

Thanks for reading me.

Antoine

 

 

[martin_sam_2000]

Antoine, 

 

found this online showing the profile in the Warpath book. Don't see much else online about this aircraft.

 

Sean

[Antoine]

Thanks, Martin, 

This picture speaks a lot in itself, I didn't know that "Boom boom was coming with a different artwork.

If there's a profile, there must be one or more pictures in the book.

I'll try to get the book, as I don't think I can find much more on the net.

[Diamondback Six]

Look up Claringbould's Pacific Profiles Vol. 14. All the B-25 units of South & Southwest Pacific; may not specifically have Boom Boom but will at least give you a solid representation of 500th BS general practices.

 

Latest research and freshly drawn profiles - Claringbould has a reputation among historians as "MR. South Pacific Air" comparable to Barrett Tillman - if he doesn't have an answer there's a distastefully strong chance the answer no longer exists to be found.

Edited November 21, 2024 by Diamondback Six

[Geoff M]

On 11/16/2024 at 1:08 PM, martin_sam_2000 said:

Antoine, 

 

found this online showing the profile in the Warpath book. Don't see much else online about this aircraft.

 

Sean

I have this book and it is great.  If you are a Pacific war and B-25 fan then you will really like it.  If there is not photo of a particular plane there is a profile and the fate of every aircraft is detailed.  Along with the above profile there is a photo of the nose of Boom Boom with the "swordfish" artwork and crew standing in front.  30051 was one of the original B-25s that came with the group from the states.  It arrived in theater October 1943. Evidently Boom Boom was loaned to the 90th bomb squadron, 3rd Attack Group and when it came back to the 500th it was painted with the 90th's signature sharkmouth. It was declared war weary October 1944 and removed from action. There is a glancing photo of the nose taken from the left wing with the pilot (500th CO) poking out the cockpit window and the sharkmouth and eye visible.  

Edited January 9 by Geoff M