70th Doolittle Raiders Reunion

This year marked the 70th anniversary of the Doolittle Raid, the daring attack on Japan led by Jimmy Doolittle. This year, only 5 of the raiders are alive, and only 4 were able to attend.  20 B-25s attended to honor them, flying first into Grimes Field, Urbana OH, then to the closed runway of the Air Force Museum in Dayton OH.  It was an amazing sight to see, and was truly heaven for anyone who had an affinity for the B-25.  Different models, different configurations, and most important, the veterans who flew the aircraft were all in attendance to show their piece of history.
(Photos Thanks to Matt Jolley, Adam White, Gary Chambers, Randy Bigler and Bob Koelbl)

The crew just before taking off for Urbana

Barbie III, am H model with the 75MM Cannon in the nose.

Panchito and Axis Nightmare overfly Urbana

Spectacular view of Urbana.
 Miss Mitchell, Devil Dog, Yellow Rose and  Maid in the Shade, all CAF aircraft, are visible here.

Champaign Gal, based in Urbana, joins the formation.

The Main hangar in Urbana

Adam White and Kara Martinelli had a showing of The Restorers, featuring the Minnesota Wing.
It was very well attended!

Matt Jolley's (warbirdradio.com) fantastic photo of the 20 B-25s on Mission Day!

The B-25s overflew the Air Force Museum in formations.

The Raiders watch a formation of B-25s larger than any since WWII

The MN Wing crew with the Raiders

Blog Update - October 01 - February 10

All quiet on the MNCAF front? HARDLY! The scant blog is an indicator not of lack of activity at the Wing, but rather an abundance of it! Since October, we closed out our flying season, and began to inspect the aircraft. Around that time, discussions took place about the use of hangar space, and what improvements could be made. That discussion lead to where we are at now. The hangar is in a state of chaotic activity. Walls are going up, others coming down. The PX will have a new home, and the museum will have more space. The machine shop has been moved, enclosed and expanded. Cleaning, organization and consolidation are taking place throughout the hangar. This massive project will lead to a whole new look on the inside of the hangar, and will give the museum and PX the much needed face lift it deserves. The hangar will now also feature a members only O'Club lounge overlooking the aircraft. A place where members can relax and enjoy the CAF after a day of hard work.

The aircraft have their own tales as well. The P-51 is maintenance is winding down, with few inspections left. It will have a propeller spinner change take place later this week. The Harvard engine is still out for overhaul and while it's gone, the airframe is getting a good lookover. The PT-22 is getting new brakes, and most important, a starter. It is flying through it's inspection with very few issues. The B-25 is about half-way through the inspection. It was subjected to a landing gear Non-destructive test, which has revealed a crack. Part of the landing gear will have to be replaced. This concern came after another B-25 operator had their landing gear break and fold forward... not something we want happening!

With all of this happening, the sprinkler system is also going together. Yesterday, the riser (main valves of the system) was assembled and runs were prepared for the office spaces. This is great news, since our dances will take place in our hangar!

I will do my best to deliver more timely updates, but if you can, stop down and see all the changes taking place! Just watch your step and you may want to bring a hardhat!

First Show of the Year

Early in the flying season is the Doolittle Raiders Reunion. Having a B-25 operation, it is an important event for us. We like to attend for various reasons, but the most prevalent is to honor the Doolittle Raiders who are still with us, and those who have passed. This year, the Reunion took place in Lincoln, NE. It was not nearly as large and flamboyant as last years, but it was none-the-less important and an honor to attend.
(Photos Thanks to Nate Timm and Linda Franke)

(First stop for Miss Mitchell's crew was the SAC Museum)


(They had an opportunity to tour this massive facility...)


(And even get in some of the aircraft, like this massive B-36)


(The B-36's cockpit is quite impressive)


(But the Flight Engineers station is downright amazing)


(Nate Timm even pulled himself through the tunnel to the tail of the aircraft. You ride a dolly to do this)


(A nice panoramic of the massive hangar)


(Miss Mitchell's crew lined up to meet the remaining Raiders and get their autographs)


(The Raiders pose with the Crew)

A Look Back

Last year's first airshow was the Doolittle Raider's Reunion. This was a historic airshow, bringing together 17 B-25's. Most of you have seen pictures from this event, and there have been some video's floating around as well. This video, produced by Adam White (Red Tail Reborn) is a clip from his new show "The Restorers". A focus on Miss Mitchell and the Minnesota Wing, The Doolittle Raiders, and the Doolittle Reunion makes up this episode. It is amazing video, and very well put together. Be Sure to watch this on Full Screen! Enjoy!
(Video Thanks to The Restorers)

Doolittle Raider Reunion

It was an honor to be a part of history this month. "Miss Mitchell", along with 16 other B-25s, overflew the USAF Museum, and were able to meet, chat and dine with 4 of the remaining Doolittle Raiders (out of 8). This gathering was larger than any in recent history, equal to that of the filming of Catch-22! The pictures speak for themselves. What a trip!
(Select Photos Thanks to Nate Timm)

(On the ramp in Anoka to meet up with "Betty's Dream" and "Lady Luck" from C&P Aviation)


(This flight gave me the opportunity to try out my new camera and Telephoto lens!)


("Betty's Dream" is an incredibly authentic B-25, featured in an earlier blog post, while "Lady Luck" is a comfortable ride)


(Decent shot... in my opinion)


(As you can see, the weather went from gray and rainy to perfection!)


(From the ramp in Urbana, OH. The B-25s line up to transition to Dayton)


(B-25s as far as the camera can see!!!!)


(The reason we are here. Four of the eight remaining Doolittle Raiders)


(Each aircraft received a plaque, arranged and purchased by the Doolittle Raiders, to commemorate the event. Alan Miller accepts on behalf of "Miss Mitchell" and the MN Wing)


(Once the day was over we gathered at the end of the field...)


(Which made for quite a sight!)


(The tail-end charlies... All 5 operating CAF B-25s are in this picture!)


(Each Raider's name was carved into a goblet, and is held in this case built by Dick Cole, Doolittle's co-pilot. When a Raider passes away, the goblet is turned upside down. When only two Raiders remain, they will toast their departed comrades with a bottle of 1896 Hennesey [birth year of Jimmy Doolittle]. Adam Galloway, Nate Timm, Mark Erickson and Alan Miller are pictured)


(We were given a guided tour of the restoration facility at the Air Force Museum. This is the original "Memphis Belle" being restored for display)


(This aircraft appealed to me... the X-32A, Boeing's concept for the Joint Strike Fighter. It lost to the X-35, Lockheed's concept)


("The Swoose" is a B-17D, the oldest B-17 in known existance)


(For those of you who have never seen one, this is a B-25H with a 75mm cannon installed)


(Larry Utter in the nose, flying past Chicago)


(Flying straight over Navy Pier)


(Looking back from the tail gunner position... what an amazing trip!)


(The crew - Mark Erickson, Me (Jim Lauria), Nate Timm, Gary Chambers, Alan Miller, Jim Gilmore, Adam Galloway and Larry Utter. The photo was taken by Adam White, producer of "Red Tail Reborn" and the coming TV show "The Restorers". The Minnesota Wing, "Miss Mitchell" and the Doolittle Reunion will be a feature on the show. Visit http://www.therestorers.com/ for more info!)