The mission of the Warbirds of Glory Museum is to restore and fly period aircraft to present a unique educational opportunity to understand the Second World War experience and mentor students in mechanical skills, aircraft restoration and American values.
Patrick Mihalek and Todd Trainor, both with a passion for aviation, founded the Warbirds of Glory Museum in April of 2013.
The Warbirds of Glory Museum, a publically funded organization, received its IRS 501(c)(3) non-profit designation in 2014. All Contributions and donations to the museum are fully tax-deductible.
Patrick - Our Museum - Our Passion![](images/B25J-041-1.png)
On June 27, 1969, North American B-25J, Serial Number 44-30733, made an emergency landing on a sandbar in the middle of the Tanana River outside Fairbanks, Alaska.
![B-25J Sandbar Mitchell in the 1960's outside Fairbanks, AK. Picture courtesy of Milo Peltzer](page_images/main_images/1.jpg)
After being abandoned forty-four years, the Warbirds of Glory Museum successfully recovered the aircraft on July 5, 2013.
![Air lift of Sandbar Mitchell July 5th, 2013](page_images/main_images/2.jpg)
Skilled volunteers, including the museums Kittyhawk Academy program students, all led by aircraft restorer Patrick Mihalek, will undertake the restoration of the B-25 to airworthy status. The restoration is currently underway at the museums restoration shop in Brighton, Michigan.
![Patrick with some of the youth restoration team](page_images/main_images/3.jpg)
Sandbar Mitchell will be restored to flying condition to honor the ship and crew of 43-27537 “8Z” of the 340th Bomb Group, 488th Bombardment Squadron that was lost on a mission over Italy in March, 1945.
![B-25 8Z of the 340th BG, 488th SQ.](page_images/main_images/4.jpg)
![Keep Em' Flying Banner](page_images/main_images/keep'em flying.jpg)
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