File:North American B-25J Mitchell ‘34064 8U’ “LI’L Critter From the moon” (30873136491).jpg

c/n 108-37246. Actual US military serial 44-31171. Last civil registration ‘N7614C’. The IWM Mitchell has recently been repainted for the refurbished American Air Museum (AAM). Gone is the US Navy 3-tone scheme (interesting, but not terribly representative of the type) and instead she is now resplendent in the markings of the 488 Bomb Squadron, who were based in Corsica in 1944. This is a most appropriate scheme for a B-25, as it was in this unit that Joseph Heller flew as a bombardier. He was later to write famed novel ‘Catch 22’ based on his experiences in the unit. “Help him, help him!” “Help who?” “The Bombardier, help the bombardier” “I’m the bombardier, I’m alright” “Then help HIM, help HIM…….” And so it goes on. A classic novel and movie! ‘34064’ was named 'LI'l Critter From The Moon' and was one of the aircraft in which it is known Heller flew. It was lost in January 1945 in a mid-air collision with sister aircraft 43-27657, while returning from a raid on San Michelle. The filming of the movie involved some 17 airworthy Mitchells, most of which are still flying. The IWM’s B-25 is now back on display in the newly refurbished American Air Museum, part of the Imperial War Museum, Duxford, Cambridgeshire, UK.