North American B-25 J Project
The objective of the restoration is to have a complete airplane in WWII stock condition for static display. Given the condition of the plane when recovered, a restoration to flying condition would require a complete reconstruction of the aircraft and would be extremely costy.
Project funding
The B25 project is supported by King Baudouin Fondation. All payments higher than 40 euros allow to enjoy of a tax deduction. Any money paid to the KBF shall be exclusively used for the project B25. Structured communication "128/2714/00065" is required for acceptance of payment.
The B25 project is supported by King Baudouin Fondation. All payments higher than 40 euros allow to enjoy of a tax deduction. Any money paid to the KBF shall be exclusively used for the project B25. Structured communication "128/2714/00065" is required for acceptance of payment.
2005- a suitable B-25 is found in UK
The B-25 is stored in Belgium. A workshop is needed to start working in proper conditions
2006 - B-25 Back to Belgium
Sandblasting was carried out by a specialized company. This operation took place during the very cold month of December 2009. Sandblasting was essential to stop the corrosion of an airframe that suffered years of neglect in the open.
2009 - Sandblasting and protective paint
2013 - Arrival in the newly opened BAPA workshop in Gembloux Forward fuselage restoration started
2013 - Nose Gear Restoration
It is currently displayed on a supporting frame and will be re-installed on the airplane once the nose gear weel has been refurbished.
The bombardier's compartment windows frames have been fixed.
Many components had to be removed to allow full access
Many components had to be removed to allow full access
2014 - Central fuselage restoration started
2015 - Purchase of some radio equipement
2014 - two Wright 2600 engines are found in Ireland and purchased
December 2015- the bombardier's compartment is painted...
...to be used in the filming of the “court métrage” Airmen (2016)
2014-2016 - Main landing gear chassis assembly restoration
Like for the nose gear, this gear is currently displayed and will be re-installed once the centre section has been refurbished.
March 2016- Installation of new perspex in the bombardier’s compartment
It's very painful to work in a B-25. From the outside it's looking big, when you are inside it's small and cramped.
Until 2016 - restoration of various equipments of the main landing gear
new parts are manufactured
Spring 2017 - the flexible .50 nose gun mount is repaired
Some parts are missing or too damaged to be repaired and cannot be found anymore, like the armoured floor of the bombardier's enclosure
The mount has been repaired following the donation of a .50 gun frame in early 2017
July 2017-construction of a transport dolly
Autumn 2017- design and manufacture of mock Browning .50 gun.
This dolly was needed to transport the B-25 to the fort of Lantin for the BMVT rally.
Summer 2017-some sheet metal and paint job is done
Automn 2017-some components of the hydraulic system and bomb bay mechanism are refurbished
2018 - Restoration of the nose gear well
January 2018-The equipment in the nose gear well is removed to be refurbished and to enable the repair of the well.
February-march 2018 - cleaning and paint of inner part of forward fuselage
January 2018 - Rear fuselage restoration started
Spring 2018 - Disassembly of the trailing edge of the central part. Inventory of corrosion of the main structures
February 2018 - Repar of the rear gunner turret. Heavy damages were found
Summer 2018 - Inventory of damage on the site bord gear bay and dismantling parts for cleaning and repair
April 2018 - cleaning and paint of inner part of forward fuselage
