Topic: What do you do with a turret drive from a B-25 bomber (Read 6102 times)

Bojiboy · « **on:** November 26, 2008, 08:06:49 PM »

So, here’s a long story about my dad, the Navy, World War II and the turret drive motor assembly from a B-25 Mitchell bomber. Some of you might remember my dad’s story of riding his Harley and his many adventures. Here’s another one of his stories.

As you might remember my dad passed away this last August. He and my mom had moved to an assisted living apartment this last February so we began the task of clearing out their house to get it ready to sell. My dad was a ham radio operator since the late 30s and always had a tower with a beam antenna on it. He turned the antenna with a device at the bottom of the tower that he always told me was a turret drive motor from some sort of WWII bomber. Well, this tower and device were still in the yard and had to come down. After getting the tower down and working my *$$ off, I finally got the drive unit removed too. He had it attached to an 8” pipe buried about four feet in the ground.

So, what do you do with a thing that might be from a 65 year old airplane? Couldn’t just toss it so I did some investigating to see just what it was. Here’s what I found. I contacted the Commerative Air Force, formerly the Confederate Air Force, to see if they could help since they restore and maintain many WWII aircraft. After lots of emails and phone calls I found that in fact what I have is the motor drive assembly from the Navy’s version of the B-25 Mitchell bomber which is called a PBJ. Makes since, my dad was in the Navy during the war and was stationed at Sand Point Naval Air Station in Seattle Washington. Now I know where he got it.

So continuing this long story, the Southern California wing of the CAF is restoring the last known PBJ in existence located in Camarillo CA. After talking with those fine folks I found they are many years into the restoration and do not have the turret drive assembly necessary to make the turret on their PBJ operational. You might have seen a History Channel episode called “Inside The B-25 Bomber” aired in 2006. They visited the PBJ project telling the restoration story as well as other B-25 information. So the last part of this story is that Lou and I are loading up our CVO and the turret drive in our trailer and heading out to southern California in January to donate this piece of aviation history. Looking forward to seeing the PBJ and doing some coastal riding. Kind of ironic, this drive unit is making it’s way back to the west coast after being gone for over 60 years.

I’ll post a few pics that help tell the story. Also, here is a link to the PBJ’s restoration.

http://www.orgsites.com/ca/caf-socal/_pgg8.php3

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Greg and Lou

Bojiboy · « **Reply #1 on:** November 26, 2008, 08:08:20 PM »

The drive before removing it from the tower base.

Bojiboy · « **Reply #2 on:** November 26, 2008, 08:10:31 PM »

A page from some sort of manual showing the complete turret. The piece I have is at the very bottom which turns the entire turret. I wouldn't have wanted to be in that thing with someone shooting back.

Buy early · « **Reply #3 on:** November 26, 2008, 08:17:00 PM »

Outstanding story! What a great ending to such a historical piece. I'm sure your dad would be proud! Thanks for sharing. Turn the thread into a ride report when you get back from CA and post some more photos. I'm envious of your trip out west. Just buttoned up the bikes for the winter. Where are you at in Iowa?

sadunbar · « **Reply #4 on:** November 26, 2008, 08:18:17 PM »

That's quite a fascinating story! I am sure it will be both fun and interesting when you donate the turret drive!

I'm sure your dad would be proud to see the turret returned to where it started!

Fired00d · « **Reply #5 on:** November 26, 2008, 08:19:09 PM »

Wow!!! That's awesome.

Ride Safe,
Fired00d

SPIDERMAN · « **Reply #6 on:** November 26, 2008, 09:20:03 PM »

Great story with a Hollywood ending and the best part is it's real and not make believe.

Thanks for sharing

B B

MontyB · « **Reply #7 on:** November 26, 2008, 09:33:42 PM »

Cool story! My dad flew 25's in asia in WWII ('the big one") with the 345th BG. The Commemorative Air Force is a good outfit and I'm sure they will appreciate getting the part and your dad would be pleased to see it put back into service.

Thanks for sharing the story!

Cheers!

Bojiboy · « **Reply #8 on:** November 26, 2008, 10:40:51 PM »

Thanks everyone. We're looking forward to the trip. We'll get plenty of pictures I'm sure and we'll do a ride report. Hopefully we can find a good spot of weather to get out of here but you never know here in Iowa. It's about 1700 miles from Des Moines, maybe we'll just stay there.

cuthbertss · « **Reply #9 on:** November 26, 2008, 11:31:11 PM »

This is a wonderful story with a very happy ending!

well done!!!!

I know from experience how much fun chasing B25 parts can be!!!

this is very exciting news

Scot

cuthbertss · « **Reply #10 on:** November 26, 2008, 11:33:35 PM »

Quote from: Bojiboy on November 26, 2008, 10:40:51 PM

Thanks everyone. We're looking forward to the trip. We'll get plenty of pictures I'm sure and we'll do a ride report. Hopefully we can find a good spot of weather to get out of here but you never know here in Iowa. It's about 1700 miles from Des Moines, maybe we'll just stay there.

I was just in DSM a few weeks back.....hopefully its warmer now!

cuthbertss · « **Reply #11 on:** November 26, 2008, 11:35:00 PM »

Quote from: MontyB on November 26, 2008, 09:33:42 PM

Cool story! My dad flew 25's in asia in WWII ('the big one") with the 345th BG. The Commemorative Air Force is a good outfit and I'm sure they will appreciate getting the part and your dad would be pleased to see it put back into service.

Thanks for sharing the story!

Cheers!

Monty.... here are a few pix of my leather jacket.... I had it painted for a B25 i used to fly in thats now in the Liberal Air Museum.... 345th BG

cuthbertss · « **Reply #12 on:** November 26, 2008, 11:35:29 PM »

front

sportygordy · « **Reply #13 on:** November 27, 2008, 12:53:11 AM »

That is great, thanks for sharing this great story,.. your dad would be very proud. Keep us posted when you know of the next program schedule..

Bojiboy · « **Reply #14 on:** November 27, 2008, 06:47:57 AM »

Quote from: cuthbertss on November 26, 2008, 11:35:00 PM

Monty.... here are a few pix of my leather jacket.... I had it painted for a B25 i used to fly in thats now in the Liberal Air Museum.... 345th BG

Very cool!!

MIKEYTEE · « **Reply #15 on:** November 28, 2008, 10:37:38 PM »

Bojiboy,
That is a really cool thing to do with the drive!

Best to you.
Mike

Bojiboy · « **Reply #16 on:** November 29, 2008, 10:04:39 AM »

Quote from: MIKEYTEE on November 28, 2008, 10:37:38 PM

Bojiboy,
That is a really cool thing to do with the drive!
Best to you.
Mike

Thanks Mike. We're really looking forward to the trip but most of all getting this piece back where it belongs.....

ice6900 · « **Reply #17 on:** November 29, 2008, 10:14:51 AM »

get them to make a lil plaque to mount, turret drive donated by..........

nice memoir of ur dad

09S/E roadglide · « **Reply #18 on:** November 29, 2008, 10:25:06 AM »

what a great story. have a great time in cali. post pics of your journey.

miker · « **Reply #19 on:** November 29, 2008, 10:43:47 AM »

I always look forward to your posts Bro...Another great layer of the story of your pop.

Slainte

mr_magoo · « **Reply #20 on:** November 29, 2008, 10:49:26 AM »

Sounds like Dad was an interesting guy. Nice of you to donate the turret to someone that can use it.

Bojiboy · « **Reply #21 on:** January 11, 2009, 07:07:37 AM »

OK, got it loaded in the trailer and we're headed out to California today. Still need to load the bike this morning but everything else is ready to go. Really looking forward to the trip. We'll try to send some pics when we arrive....

Later

Greg and Lou

MIKEYTEE · « **Reply #22 on:** January 11, 2009, 11:17:04 AM »

Greg,
You and Lou have safe and wonderful trip. Looking forward to seeing the pictures.

Mike

Admiral · « **Reply #23 on:** January 11, 2009, 11:22:48 AM »

I'm sure your dad would be real proud of you for what you are doing.
I hope they are able to restore the unit and put it back in service.

MontyB · « **Reply #24 on:** January 12, 2009, 09:14:34 PM »

Quote from: cuthbertss on November 26, 2008, 11:35:00 PM

Monty.... here are a few pix of my leather jacket.... I had it painted for a B25 i used to fly in thats now in the Liberal Air Museum.... 345th BG

Holy Moly!! That's my dad's old outfit!! The Air Apache's !!
What a small world....

planenut · « **Reply #25 on:** January 12, 2009, 10:13:28 PM »

thats a cool thing your doing,thanks from a aviation buff and motorcyle crazy person

jon

safe trip

hdhog1 · « **Reply #26 on:** January 12, 2009, 10:57:43 PM »

Greg & Lou,

I really enjoyed the story about your dad. That is so cool. Good luck with the trip. I am looking forward to the continuing saga.

I sure hope you mentioned to them that the turret was also responsible for making many important radio transmissions for the past 30 or so years.

God bless the courage and ingenuity of our service men and women.

Thanks for sharing.
Randy

Hugh Janis · « **Reply #27 on:** January 13, 2009, 09:45:13 AM »

Greg and Lou, enjoy the trip. It better fit/work now! It would have been so easy to simply discard it. Your life (and ours) are so much fuller hearing this story.

Weren't the B25s used to bomb Tokyo from a carrier shortly after Pearl Harbor? I remember a movie about it with Alec Baldwin as the Commander.

Hugh Janis · « **Reply #28 on:** January 13, 2009, 09:50:26 AM »

DUH! It was "Pearl Harbor" from 2001. Baldwin was Lt. Col. James Dolittle.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0213149/

Bojiboy · « **Reply #29 on:** January 13, 2009, 07:17:27 PM »

Quote from: Jester Whisperer on January 13, 2009, 09:50:26 AM

DUH! It was "Pearl Harbor" from 2001. Baldwin was Lt. Col. James Dolittle.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0213149/

There was a previous version called 30 Seconds Over Tokyo with Van Johnson and Spencer Tracy. Awesome movie, one of my favorites. The B 25 was the plane they used.

Well, thanks everyone for your words along the way on our adventure to California!!

We made it today around noon and went straight to the airport. They have a really neat facility and we got the grand tour. We made the donation and they were extremely happy to get the drive unit. They do not have this piece so it really will find it's way back into history. Got lots of pics but need to figure out how to resize them so I can post them. My software is on the computer at home.

Thanks again everyone!

More to come

Greg and Lou

porthole · « **Reply #30 on:** January 14, 2009, 11:03:36 AM »

Quote from: Bojiboy on January 13, 2009, 07:17:27 PM

Got lots of pics but need to figure out how to resize them so I can post them. My software is on the computer at home.

Free from Microsoft

http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/OS-Enhancements/Microsoft-Image-Resizer.shtml

Bojiboy · « **Reply #31 on:** January 14, 2009, 11:56:33 AM »

Thanks Porthole. Here's a few from yesterday.

First is unloading the drive with Captain Marc. He heads up the project and flies a 777 for one of the major airlines. Really nice guy.

Bojiboy · « **Reply #32 on:** January 14, 2009, 11:58:58 AM »

Shots of the PBJ project

Bojiboy · « **Reply #33 on:** January 14, 2009, 12:01:40 PM »

Looking up at the bottom of the upper turret.

Bojiboy · « **Reply #34 on:** January 14, 2009, 12:08:39 PM »

Bojiboy · « **Reply #35 on:** January 14, 2009, 07:23:44 PM »

Bojiboy · « **Reply #36 on:** January 14, 2009, 07:59:22 PM »

Oh ya, the best part, we got to ride most of the day today!

Well over 80 degrees today. Sure do miss Iowa, 17 below tonight with dangerous wind chills, canceling schools for tomorrow. Just can't wait to get back.......

SPIDERMAN · « **Reply #37 on:** January 14, 2009, 09:16:25 PM »

I can't imagine what a thrill it must be to show up at a project like this restoration with a major component that these people did not have.

My most sincere compliments on knowing what you (your Dad) had and then finding such a valid use for it.

Thanks for sharing the experience with us

B B

oj greene · « **Reply #38 on:** January 14, 2009, 10:01:36 PM »

Quote from: SPIDERMAN on January 14, 2009, 09:16:25 PM

I can't imagine what a thrill it must be to show up at a project like this restoration with a major component that these people did not have.

My most sincere compliments on knowing what you (your Dad) had and then finding such a valid use for it.

Thanks for sharing the experience with us

B B

What he said!!!
This whole story is inspiring.

Bojiboy · « **Reply #39 on:** January 15, 2009, 12:39:21 AM »

Quote from: SPIDERMAN on January 14, 2009, 09:16:25 PM

I can't imagine what a thrill it must be to show up at a project like this restoration with a major component that these people did not have.

My most sincere compliments on knowing what you (your Dad) had and then finding such a valid use for it.

Thanks for sharing the experience with us

B B

Thanks Spiderman. I had a good teacher, it's the kind of thing my dad would have done if he had the opportunity. Looking forward to going back when they have it done.

spydglide · « **Reply #40 on:** January 15, 2009, 09:04:32 AM »

Hey Bojiboy, what a great story you've related to us. Brings back memories of my brother & I cleaning out my dad's garage and finding all his old aviation parts, etc.....donated some to various places as you've done (he was Army Air Corp pilot also. Glad you got to tie in a CVO trip out of the aviation historical hook-up also...

...you're Dad is surely smiling on you all thru this. Ride safe bro.

spyder

SPIDERMAN · « **Reply #41 on:** January 15, 2009, 10:37:14 AM »

Quote from: Bojiboy on January 15, 2009, 12:39:21 AM

Thanks Spiderman. I had a good teacher, it's the kind of thing my dad would have done if he had the opportunity. Looking forward to going back when they have it done.

And we'll look forward to the pictures (lots) of the completed aircraft and the folks who did the restoration.

B B

MIKEYTEE · « **Reply #42 on:** January 15, 2009, 02:09:46 PM »

Greg,
Thank for sharing, and keep the pic's comming. I can tell by the smiles, your not having fun!
Mike

Bojiboy · « **Reply #43 on:** January 29, 2009, 05:11:22 PM »

Few more pics

Bojiboy · « **Reply #44 on:** January 29, 2009, 05:11:52 PM »

Bojiboy · « **Reply #45 on:** January 29, 2009, 05:13:18 PM »

Two old boys rebuilding one of the hydraulic controls from the cockpit.

Bojiboy · « **Reply #46 on:** January 29, 2009, 05:13:51 PM »

Bojiboy · « **Reply #47 on:** January 29, 2009, 05:14:58 PM »

Riding through some of the nicer areas in Camarillo. Temps were in the mid 80's the entire time....

Bojiboy · « **Reply #48 on:** January 29, 2009, 05:15:50 PM »

Riding on the PCH.

Bojiboy · « **Reply #49 on:** January 29, 2009, 05:16:57 PM »

Lunch stop at Neptunes Net on the PCH.

Bojiboy · « **Reply #50 on:** January 29, 2009, 05:18:15 PM »

Wifey on a ride through some of the nearby mountains.

Bojiboy · « **Reply #51 on:** January 29, 2009, 05:20:07 PM »

Last shot for a bit. This is very close to Ronald Reagan's Presidential Library which we visited. Very cool!

CVOThunder · « **Reply #52 on:** November 24, 2012, 12:49:47 PM »

Hey Brother, sorry to kick this one again but I was looking for Ham radio threads and yours popped up. What a cool read and thanks for taking the time to bring it over to them. I was only stationed in SoCal for 3 yrs but I loved going over to Camarillo to check out the airshows and CAF. Always wanted to donate my time working on them old girls but it hasn't worked out yet. Again, thank you for doing this. You rock brudda and your Pa would be proud!

Bojiboy · « **Reply #53 on:** November 25, 2012, 05:53:21 AM »

Hey CVOThunder,

Thanks for the note! Ya, my Dad would be proud, or no doubt is! He was a ham for 65 plus years and got me into it as well some 40 plus years ago. Lots of fun! Hopefully the folks in Camarillo will get the PBJ in the air in the next few years, takes a lot of time and money, and we can get back there to see it fly.

Thanks - take care!

Greg

Quote from: CVOThunder on November 24, 2012, 12:49:47 PM

Hey Brother, sorry to kick this one again but I was looking for Ham radio threads and yours popped up. What a cool read and thanks for taking the time to bring it over to them. I was only stationed in SoCal for 3 yrs but I loved going over to Camarillo to check out the airshows and CAF. Always wanted to donate my time working on them old girls but it hasn't worked out yet. Again, thank you for doing this. You rock brudda and your Pa would be proud!

Author Topic: What do you do with a turret drive from a B-25 bomber (Read 6102 times)

SPIDERMAN

SPIDERMAN

SPIDERMAN