Millions of aviation fans have seen this popular Warbird perform. Built in Kansas City in 1944 -45 as a B-25J, 'Executive Sweet' saw extensive Stateside service throughout the war as a crew trainer. In 1948, it was turned converted into a USAF VB-25J, a VIP transport until the end of her service. In December of 1954 it was upgraded and designated a VB-25N by Hayes Aircraft, Inc. After several more
years in military service at the School of Aviation Medicine at Randolph Field, Texas, the Mitchell was sold as surplus ad became a crop sprayer. Acquired by Hollywood's Filmways Studios in 1968, the B-25 became the lead "on camera" aircraft named Vestal Virgin in the film Catch-22. Placed for sale after completion of filming in 1970, it was purchased by Ed Schnepf (Thank you Ed!!) in 1972 to begin a two-year restorative program back to a wartime J model appearance. Looking factory - new in its bare metal finish, Executive Sweet once again was armed with thirteen .50 caliber machine guns, a Norden bombsight and operable bomb bay, authentic insignia and interior detailing down to crash axes and crew intercom. In 1982, Schnepf's Challenge Publications donated the B-25 to the newly formed American Aeronautical Foundation Museum at Camarillo, California, who has been operating it ever since. Executive Sweet has appeared in a dozen major films and numerous TV shows and commercials. In April 1992, the plane participated in the Doolittle Raid 50th Anniversary reenactment staged at North Island NAS. Executive Sweet set the pace that soon saw hundreds of other warbirds fully restored to their original wartime pristine condition. As it begins another year of appearances, Executive Sweet enters the season with a great new look (see our new nose art), and multiple shows already scheduled. The pilots and air crew volunteers of the AAF Museum look forward to another season of keeping alive the aviation heritage that millions come to share each year.
