The Story Of The B-25 Used In the Catch-22 Crash Scene

Hollywood Could Have Done Better?

Did you know that director Mike Nichols aimed for a realistic WWII airbase in the film Catch-22? Initially, he planned to use 36 B-25 Mitchell bombers, but budget constraints forced the production to settle for 17 flyable B-25s.

To compensate, the team acquired a non-flyable B-25 from Mexico. In such poor condition that its landing gear had to remain down during its ferry flight, the aircraft was ultimately used for a dramatic crash-landing scene before being burned and destroyed for the film.

Its wreckage was later buried near the filming site’s runway.

What do you think about sacrificing a historic aircraft for a movie? Let us know in the comments!