This bomber was the ninth B-25C produced by North American Aircraft. It was originally intended for the Netherlands East Indies Air Force (NEIAF) but was appropriated by the USAAF and assigned to the 3rd BG, 13th BS in Melbourne in early April, 1942 and nicknamed "Feather Merchant".
This aircraft participated in the Royce Mission to the Philippines in April, 1942 and was also flown by Criswell.
It remained in a American aircraft boneyard at Tadji with only its tail missing. Recovered by Charles Darby from Tadji in 1974, and as part of the Yesterday's Air Force export agreement, it was set up as a memorial at Aitape High School in 1974. Charles Darby moved the aircraft, with assistance from Robert Parer who provided the trailer to move the plane to its new location.
As the tail section was missing from "Feather Merchant", the tail from another aircraft B-25D "Tin Liz" 41-30074, shot down off Dagua, was recovered and attached to the aircraft for display purposes.
Airplanes - Military - Static Display - Bombers
Links: www.pacificwrecks.com
By: kjfitz
