B-25 J MITCHELL Executive Sweet
by Priscilla Burgers
Title
B-25 J MITCHELL Executive Sweet
Artist
Priscilla Burgers
Medium
Photograph - Photography
Description
B-25J MITCHELL EXECUTIVE SWEET by PRISCILLA BURGERS
Millions of aviation fans have seen this popular 64 year old Warbird perform. Built in Kansas City in 1944-45 as a B-25J, Executive Sweet saw extensive Stateside service throughout the war as a crew trainer. In 1948, it was converted into a USAF VB-25J, a VIP transport until the end of service. In December of 1954 it was upgraded and designated a VB-25N by Hayes Aircraft, Inc. After several more years in military service at the School of Aviation Medicine at Randolph Field, Texas, the Mitchell was sold as surplus and became a crop sprayer. Acquired by Hollywood's Filmways Studios in 1968, the B-25 became the lead "on camera" aircraft named Vestal Virgin in the film Catch-22. Placed for sale after completion of filming in 1970, it was purchased by Ed Schnepf in 1972 to begin a two-year restorative program back to a wartime J model appearance.
Looking factory- new in its bare metal finish, Executive Sweet once again was armed with thirteen .50 caliber machine guns, a Norden bombsight and operable bomb bay, authentic insignia and interior detailing down to crash axes and crew intercom.
In 1982, Schnepf's Challenge Publications donated the B-25 to the newly formed American Aeronautical Foundation Museum at Camarillo, California, who has been operating it ever since. Executive Sweet has appeared in a dozen major films and numerous TV shows and commercials. In April 1992, the plane participated in the Doolittle Raid 50th Anniversary reenactment staged at North Island NAS. This image was photographed at an air show in Sedona, Arizona.
Executive Sweet set the pace that soon saw hundreds of other warbirds fully restored to their original wartime pristine condition. Executive Sweet began its 37th year of appearances with a great new look of nose art.
The Fine Art America logo will not appear on your finished product.
SOLD:
2 face masks to a buyer in Green Valley, AZ on 1/2/2021.
FAA Featured Photo:
- Out of the Ordinary Group - 3/11/2015
- Art From the Past Group - 3/13/2015
- Nostalgia Images Group - 4/12/2015
- USA Photographers Only Group - 11/19/2018
Uploaded
March 7th, 2015
Statistics
Viewed 708 Times - Last Visitor from White Plains, NY on 03/28/2024 at 3:00 AM
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