5 Things To Know About The B-25 Berlin Express Flight Experience At EAA AirVenture Oshkosh

Aahh, the joys of riding restored vintage aircraft in general, and the WWII-era North American B-25 Mitchell (or “PBJ” at the US Navy and Marine Corps officially redesignated it) in particular. Last month, this writer penned an article on aircraft restoration projects, which included a personal experience riding a PBJ during Father’s Day Weekend 2023 to honor my Dad’s WWII UMSC service during his would-be 100th birthyear; the plane was restored and maintained by Commemorative Air Force (CAF)’s Devil Dog Squadron.

But CAF isn’t the only worthy organization out there restoring old warbirds such as the B-25, making them airworthy, and making the joys and thrills of riding these planes available to paying members of the general public. The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) also has big-time skin in that proverbial game, and the AirVenture Oshkosh is their major showcase wherein they too will be offering a B-25 ride, on a specimen bearing the affectionate nickname “Berlin Express.”

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1

EAA basic history

70-plus years of tradition

As per EAA’s official info page:

“The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) is based in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and embodies The Spirit of Aviation through the world’s most engaged community of aviation enthusiasts. EAA’s 270,000 members and 900 local chapters enjoy the fun and camaraderie of sharing their passion for flying, building and restoring recreational aircraft. For more information on EAA and its programs, call 800-JOIN-EAA (800-564-6322) or go to www.eaa.org. For continual news updates, connect with www.twitter.com/EAA.”

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EAA was founded in Hales Corner, Wisconsin in 1953 by Paul Howard Poberezny (September 14, 1921 – August 22, 2013), an American aviator (son of a Ukrainian migrant father and Southern mother), entrepreneur, and aircraft designer. EAA’s first fly-in was held in September 1953 at what is now Lawrence J. Timmerman Airport (ICAO: KMWC) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

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“Berlin Express” initial (wartime) history

60-plus year lifespan and counting

This particular Mitchell predates the birth of EAA by a decade. To be more specific, the airframe, Construction No. 98-21433/Serial No. 43-4432, was accepted by the US. Army Air Forces (USAAF) in December 1943. (For a frame of reference, the B-25 — built by the same company that built the legendary P-51 Mustang fighter plane — made its maiden flight on August 19, 1940, and was officially introduced into operational service with the USAAF the following year, with a total 0f 9,816 ending up built.)

From there, EAA’s B-25 History/Berlin Express History page adds:

“As an H model, when it left the factory, it would have had a blunt, solid nose fitted with two fixed .50-caliber machine guns and a massive 75 mm cannon, essentially the same as the main gun used on several models of the venerable Sherman tank. Ours was the 327th H model off the assembly line of the thousand or so that were built. The airplane served out the war in a low-key role as an administrative aircraft, stationed at bases in Washington, Colorado, and California, and was at one point modified for use as a trainer.”

3

“Berlin Express” postwar history

Movie stardom, and from whence the nickname came

After the war, the bomber was sold as surplus (escaping the sad fate of being turned to scrap metal) and changed ownership multiple times over the subsequent two decades. Soon enough, the plane would have its brush with Hollywood celebrity status and thus earn the nickname that it still holds now:

“Then, in 1968, after a stint with Long Island Airways, Filmways, Inc. and the legendary Tallmantz Aviation got involved and decided that N10V ought to be in pictures. As it was for many movie stars of the day, step one was a nose job. The airplane was given a J-model greenhouse nose section, historically inaccurate but giving it the traditional look that, to some people, makes a B-25 a B-25. Tallmantz assembled N10V with 17 other flyable B-25s to begin production on Catch-22, director Mike Nichols’ adaptation of Joseph Heller’s bitter satire about life in wartime.”

“The movie takes place in Italy, but the scenes with the B-25s were shot at a purpose-built air base set in Mexico, the remains of which still survive today on an area known unofficially as ‘Catch-22 Beach.’ N10V and the other B-25s logged more than 1,500 hours of flying time during the three-month shoot that generated about 14 and a half hours of film. If that ratio — flying more than 100 hours for every hour of film shot — seems remarkable, then consider the fact that, of that 14 and a half hours, just 17 minutes ended up being used in the final cut of the picture. Such are the vagaries of Hollywood economics.”

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In 1974, Berlin Express was donated to the EAA Aviation Foundation, and the following year, EAA’s hard-working staff and volunteers began their restoration project, removing the warbird’s cinematic livery and repainting it as the City of Burlington, including nose art that honored the new crew’s home state of Wisconsin. The plane continued to bump metaphorical elbows with VIPs and big-wigs, including Senator Barry Goldwater (R-AZ), until damage stemming from a gear failure on landing prompted another cosmetic restoration; from there, Berlin Express was moved into the EAA Aviation Museum’s Eagle Hangar, where it remained for the next few decades.

4

FAQs on the B-25 ride

Prices, seating, etc.

First and foremost, what’s the price? The cost isn’t exactly cheap, but it’s on par with a lot of airfares on modern-day commercial jetliners, not to mention the historical nostalgia that airliners don’t provide. (And oh yeah, not to mention on a vintage warbird like this, you’re breathing natural air the way Mother Nature designed it, not recycled air of a pressurized cabin). When you put that in perspective, these prices are very reasonable (and on a par with the CAF rides I took on the PBJ last year and the B-17 Flying Fortress “Sentimental Journey” back in August 2020):

• EAA Members……….$475.00 USD
• Non-Members……….$495.00 USD (1-year EAA membership included with non-member ticket purchases)

As for some of the other ride-specific FAQs:

• “How do I schedule a flight? Book online or call 1-800-359-6217. Walk-ups for the current tour stop are always welcome by calling the Tour Coordinator at 920-379-4244. The Tour Coordinator can let you know if seats are still available at the current tour stop.”
• “How long does the flight experience last? Each flight experience lasts approximately one hour, including briefing, debriefing, and about 18 minutes of actual flight time.”
• “How many seats are available on each flight? There are 8 seats available on each flight available on a first-come, first-served basis. A minimum of 5 people are required per flight. If fewer than 5 people are booked, we will try to reschedule the flight that day or another day during the tour. If rescheduling is not possible these flights may be cancelled and a cancellation charge will not be assessed.”
• “Is a waiver of liability required? Yes, a signed waiver must be signed by all passengers. A parent or legal guardian is required to sign a waiver for each minor under the age of 18.”
• “What if I have other questions? If you have further questions, please call 1-800-359-6217 or e-mail B25@EAA.org.”

5

FAQs on AirVenture Oshkosh

When, Where, How, etc.

This year’s show will take place from July 22 – 28, 2024 at Oshkosh’s Wittman Regional Airport (ICAO: KOSH). For anybody not familiar with the City of Oshkosh, it’s 88 miles (141.6 km) from Milwaukee as the crow flies.

General Admission ticket prices are as follows:

• Weekly: $140 for EAA Members, N/A for Non-Members
• Daily: $45 for EAA Members and Veterans/Active Military Members ($43 with Early Bird Discount if purchased by June 30, 2024), $63 for Non-Members ($60 with Early Bird Discount)
• Sunday Only: $22 for Members, $27 for Non-Members

Some additional FAQs:

• “Do I need to purchase my tickets for specific days?
  • Nonmember tickets purchased for Monday, July 22, through Saturday, July 27, can be used for any single day of the event that you choose. This provides flexibility for you should your travel plans change. Because there are no evening activities on Sunday, July 28, tickets for that day are discounted. You may use a Monday through Saturday ticket for entry on Sunday, July 28, but you will be charged the difference in rate if you use a Sunday ticket for entrance on Monday, July 22, through Saturday, July 27.”
• “How do I redeem this ticket?
  • When you arrive at AirVenture, have your printed or digital ticket with you. You can exchange your printed or digital tickets for a wristband at any admissions window, and may then enter the site wearing your wristband. No need to stop at admissions each day! You may exchange all of your printed tickets for wristbands at once — the first time you arrive at admissions. The ticket will be scanned to verify the information, so it cannot be used more than one time. You will then be given the appropriate wristband(s) that permit entry to the grounds. If you opted to receive your physical wristband(s) in the mail prior to the event, upon arrival, you will be able to skip the lines at the gate, show your wristband at the security checkpoint and head straight to the flightline. If you purchased your tickets with Express Arrival shipping, packages will begin mailing June 26, 2024.”
• “What can I bring into the grounds with me?

• “Who is eligible for the veteran/active military rates?
  • The veteran and active duty military rate is intended for individuals that are active duty, veterans, retirees, or reservists of any branch of the U.S. military. We ask that those using this type of ticket be ready to present proof of military service at the gate when their ticket is exchanged for a wristband.”
• “What constitutes ‘proof of military service?
  • Sufficient proof of military service can be in the form [of] any of the following: certificate of release or discharge (DD Form 214 or its predecessors); active duty, reserve, or retired military ID (CAC, DD Form 2, DD Form 1173); valid membership card in any veteran’s association/group.”

If any of you dear readers out there end up visiting this airshow and riding the B-25, safe travels, have fun, and please let us know about your experiences in the Comments section!