From Hoosier Honey to Tondelayo

Air Classics, Nov 2002

As reported in the last issue (pages 6-7), now that the Collings Foundation's North American B-25J Mitchell USAAF s/n 44-28932 is up and running after extensive work by Aero Trader at Chino Airport, the Foundation decided it was time to replace the worn color scheme of Hoosier Honey with something new. Accordingly, the bomber was flown to Midland, Texas, where it was repainted in Olive Drab and Neutral Gray camouflage. Then it was time for aviation artist Gary Velasco to apply nose art.

The Foundation chose to have the colorful nose art of Tondelayo applied to both sides of the Mitchell's nose. This art was carried by a Mitchell operated by the 500th Bomb Squadron, 345th Bomb Group - the famed Air Apaches that terrorized the Japanese in the Pacific. Workin, from original photographs, Gary faithfully re-created the art and markings carried during the war. The Mitchell is now on the airshow circuit where its new identity is being enjoyed by spectators.