N6578D

## [Source]

The future N6578D was built in May 1945 by North American at Kansas City, Kansas, USA, and taken on charge with the United States Army Air Force as **44-31508**, and operated from West Chester AFB, NY. in 1954 the aircraft was converted to TB-25K standard. Transferred to Olmsted Air Force Base, PA in August 1958, the aircraft was struck off charge from the United States Air Force in January 1960, joining Stinson Field Aircraft/Nathanial A. Kalt, San Antonio, TX as *N6578D*.

Owned by William P. Strube, Marietta, GA from January 1960 to September 1961, by 1965, the aircraft had passed to Trans Calypso Inc, Miami, FL keeping c/r N6578D. On 22 September 1961 a certificate of airworthiness was issued for NL6578D.

From April 1965 to 1967 The aircraft was owned Leon H. Patin, Miami, FL, and then Euramericair Inc/John (Jeff) Hawke.

From September 1967 to 1975, the aircraft belonged to Airspeed International Inc, Fort Lauderdale, FL, who in November 1967 modified the aircraft for use as a movie camera platform. On 15 December 1967, N6578D arrived at Bovington, UK, for use as a camera ship in the filming of Battle of Britain.

On 10 January 1969, it departed from Luton on a delivery flight to the USA.

10 January 1969

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Photographer:  Charles M.Daniels Collection

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From By 1969 to By 1971

To Fairfield Aviation, Caldwell, NJ keeping c/r N6578D.

From By 1969 to By 1977

Withdrawn from use at Caldwell-Wright Field, NJ, then being placed in open storage. Eventuall declined into derelict condition.

22 April 1970

Certificate of airworthiness for NL6578D (B-25J, 44-31508N) issued.

From May 1974 to By 1975

To Atlas Aircraft, Caldwell, NJ keeping c/r N6578D.

From March 1975 to By 1977

To Ten Plus One Inc keeping c/r N6578D.

From April 1977 to By 1979

To Tom Reilly, Kissimmee, FL keeping c/r N6578D.

By 1977

Restoration started.

Work underway at Caldwell.

3 February 1979

Ferry flight.

Flown to Kissimmee.

From By 1979 to By 1981

Restored.

Markings Applied: Chapter XI, 431508

January 1979

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Photographer:  Phillip Dawe

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Notes:  N6578D - North American B-25J Mitchell - Caldwell-Wright Field, New Jersey - 1979Famous for its use as the cameraship for the 1968 film Battle of Britain, the aircraft fell into a state of disrepair back in the US. A rebuild was started in 1979 at it is New Jersey home and completed at Kissimmee, Florida,

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From February 1979 to By 1994

To B-25th Bomber Group Inc, Ocala, FL.

10 August 1987

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Photographer:  Glenn Chatfield

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Notes:  At DuPage Airport, West Chicago, IL 35mm slide

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10 August 1987

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Photographer:  Glenn Chatfield

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Notes:  At DuPage Airport, West Chicago, IL 35mm slide

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From August 1994 to By 1999

To Dan Powell, Fair Oaks Ranch, Boerne, TX.

Markings Applied: Lucky Lady, 431508

A data plate is attached to the tail skip and is marked as: North American B-25J, S.

By 1998

Based at Franklin Municipal-John Beverly Rose Airport, Franklin, VA.

Withdrawn form use and placed in open storage at Franklin, VA. Eventually degraded to derelict condition. It is not in a flying status as it is missing the port engine, and general condition is fair to poor. Aside from this, seems to be fully equipped, especially nose section.

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View the Location Dossier

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16 June 1999

To Rio Grande Aviation Inc, Fredericksburg, TX keeping c/r N6578D.

Robert N. Abbott Jr. reports: The plane is in an poor state. Rusted severly throughout, missing port engine. Plane does however have a full set of Browning.50 cal machine guns with ammo belts. Plane was a camera ship for the filming of the movie Battle for Britain in 1968.

Markings Applied: Lucky Lady

31 August 1999

To Rio Grande Aviation Inc, McAllen, TX keeping c/r N6578D.

8 September 2010

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Photographer:  Robert Abbott

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8 September 2010

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Photographer:  Robert Abbott

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8 September 2010

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Photographer:  Robert Abbott

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8 September 2010

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Photographer:  Robert Abbott

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8 September 2010

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Photographer:  Robert Abbott

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8 September 2010

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Photographer:  Robert Abbott

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12 February 2014

To unknown owner with c/r N6578D.

Sale reported to a new owner in Coconut Creek, FL.

2015

Aircraft dismantled at Franklin, Virginia - prior to export to Australia - following sale to.Peter Smythe of Reevers.

By 2016

To Reevers Warbirds, Adelai, Australia.

Aircraft is undergoing restoration in Australia.

15 February 2018

Civil registration, N6578D, cancelled.

Sale reported to a new owner in Adelaide.