Badly damaged after a forced landing on May 31 2011 few minutes after takeoff from Melun- Villaroche airfield. Both occupants escaped uninjured. The aircraft was considered at this time as damaged beyond repair.

Unfortunately badly damaged after a forced landing on May 31 2011 few minutes after takeoff from Melun- Villaroche airfield. Both occupants escaped uninjured. The aircraft was considered at this time as damaged beyond repair.

Previously HB-RDE

'Russell's Raiders' seen at Flying Legends 2009

Two Mitchells about to take off at Flying Legends 2005. N320SQ is at the rear

Previously HB-RDE

Taking off for a display practice prior to the Flying Legends Air Display at Duxford

Just about to touch-down

Formerly HB-RDE, seen at Flying Legends 2009

Delivered in August 1945 as TB-25J 45-8811, this aircraft became N9621C in 1958. As such it went through many owners, initially as a sprayer and later as a warbird, until coming to France in 1992 as F‑AZID. In January 2005 this Mitchell became HB-RDE and it is seen here shortly before returning to France as F-AZZU in June 2009. Unfortunately it suffered a major accident on 31 May 2011, when an engine fire forced it to make a wheels-up landing in a field near Villaroche, Melun, France. The B-25 sustained severe damage to the rear fuselage, left wing, and both engines, and its current status is unclear. Apologies for the obtrusive fences in the photo.