Ep 2. Big Bad B-25

In the second episode of The Weapon Hunter season 2, titled Big Bad B-25, host Paul Shull sets his sights on finding and restoring the legendary American bomber, the B-25 Mitchell. The B-25 played a crucial role in many of the most important battles of World War II, and Shull is determined to track down any surviving planes and bring them back to life.

To start his search, Shull heads to the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton, Ohio. There, he gets an up-close look at a B-25 that was used during the war, and learns about some of the modifications that were made to the planes over the years. He also talks with experts about the challenges involved in restoring vintage aircraft and gets tips on what to look for when scouting potential restoration candidates.

After leaving the museum, Shull heads to a private airfield in southern Ontario, Canada, where he meets up with a team of experienced pilots who specialize in flying vintage planes. The team takes Shull up for a flight in their own B-25, giving him a taste of what it's like to pilot one of these massive planes.

With some experience under his belt, Shull sets out to find a B-25 that he can restore himself. He gets word of a plane that's been sitting in a warehouse in California for years, and heads there to check it out. The plane is in rough shape, with rust and damage throughout, but Shull sees potential in it and decides to take on the challenge.

Over the course of several months, Shull and his team work tirelessly to restore the B-25 to its former glory. They have to replace sections of the wings, fix the engines, and update the cockpit with modern instruments and controls. Along the way, they discover some surprises, including a secret compartment that was used to smuggle alcohol during prohibition.

Finally, the day arrives when the restored B-25 is ready for its first flight. Shull takes the controls and, with a sense of awe and respect for the plane's history, takes it up into the sky. As he flies over the countryside, he reflects on the incredible engineering and design that went into the B-25, and the bravery of the men who flew it into battle.

In the end, Shull's dedication and hard work pay off, as he succeeds in bringing back to life a piece of American military history. The episode is a fascinating look at the challenges and rewards of restoring vintage aircraft, and a tribute to the men and women who made the B-25 such an iconic symbol of American air power.