How to go
What: Grimes Gathering of B-25s
When: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday through Monday
Where: Grimes Field, Urbana
Cost: $5 donation
To schedule a flight: Flights will be available to purchase on up to six of the aircraft. Reservations can be made from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday through Monday in the Champaign Aviation Museum.
URBANA — As many as 20,000 aviation enthusiasts from around the world are expected to swarm into Urbana starting Saturday for the largest gathering of B-25 Mitchell bombers since World War II.
And for the first time, Champaign County’s own Champaign Gal will be able to take part in the event.
The B-25 bomber, owned by the Champaign Aviation Museum, was unable to participate two years ago during a similar celebration.
In 2010, B-25 Mitchell bombers from across the country flew into Grimes Field in honor of the Doolittle Raiders, a group of pilots who conducted a daring raid in retaliation for Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor.
But the Champaign Gal sat idle due to engine trouble.
After more than a year of repairs, the plane will take part in this weekend’s events to honor the 70th anniversary of the Raiders’ mission.
Much of the attention next week will focus on the Doolittle Tokyo Raiders Reunion from April 17-20 at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force in Dayton. But Randy Kemp, project manager at the Champaign Aviation Museum, said visitors who want to see the bombers in action will need to be in Urbana this weekend.
“Here, everything is going to make noise, it’s going to blow smoke and it’s going to drip oil,” Kemp said.
The Champaign Gal will be among about two dozen B-25s to cruise the skies over Urbana before departing for Dayton next week.
Jack Bailey, team leader at the museum, said the Champaign Gal was purchased and brought to Urbana in 2007.
The plane had already logged many hours in the air, but organizers were still disappointed when a problem was discovered with a thrust bearing in one of the B-25’s engines.
“It was almost a total rebuild,” Bailey said.
Event organizers had originally hoped to have the plane restored by February that year, but it didn’t return until May, just missing the reunion. Kemp said it was disappointing, especially as about a dozen other B-25 crews from across the U.S. were able to participate.
“You’ve got the other operators who are asking the question, ‘Why not you guys?’ ” Kemp said.
Because of their age and a lack of parts, the planes can be difficult to maintain. Kemp estimated there are only about 50 of the B-25s in various conditions across the U.S.
He described the bombers as slow and noisy, but stable. By the end of World War II, the B-25 was one of the most widely-used American bombers.
While other B-25s in the U.S. are not flightworthy this year, Kemp said the Champaign Gal will be in the air most of the weekend.
“This is the prom, and not all of them are ready for the dance,” Kemp said.
How to go
What: Grimes Gathering of B-25s
When: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday through Monday
Where: Grimes Field, Urbana
Cost: $5 donation
To schedule a flight: Flights will be available to purchase on up to six of the aircraft. Reservations can be made from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday through Monday in the Champaign Aviation Museum.
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