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B-25D Mitchell Bomber Instrument Panel #41-30527, "Pappy Gunn Strafer"

North American

B-25D Mitchell Bomber Instrument Panel #41-30527, "Pappy Gunn Strafer"

Not for Sale

AeroAntique is pleased to share this instrument panel owned by one of our good friends. We welcome inquiries and are happy to put you in contact with the owner of this artifact. Please email us with the name of the artifact at 2banaviator@gmail.com .

This WWII-era B-25D Mitchell instrument panel resides in the collection of our good friend in New Zealand.

According to its owner:

"This B-25D panel is from Fer de Lance, which served with the Fifth Air Force, 38th Bomb Group, 823rd Bomb Sqn. It was one of 46 aircraft lost on “Black Friday” 16 April 1944, all to New Guinea’s violent weather systems. Target for the day for about 300 aircraft was the Hollandia air base complex in occupied Dutch New Guinea. The Japanese inflicted no damage on the bombers or their escorts but an intense weather system developed rapidly between Hollandia and the Allied bases in New Guinea and innumerable thunderstorms blocked the way home. The result was mass-mayhem with lost aircraft seeking a landing place anywhere. Lt Maturi chose the Yamai emergency landing ground and landed Fer de Lance safely after their chosen airfield, Saidor, was closed due to multiple crashes on and beside its one runway. Four A-20Gs chose the same ELG. All five aircraft were abandoned.

Fer de Lance was a “Pappy Gunn” strafer, and as-such the autopilot had been removed and an auxiliary instrument panel installed in its place as part of the modifications. But what instruments were fitted in that panel? (The ones shown are guesses). Help please ------------ ?"


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