North American B-25 Mitchell
The North American B-25 Mitchell was a versatile American medium bomber used extensively during World War II. Known for its reliability and adaptability, the B-25 served in various roles, including bombing, reconnaissance, and ground attack. It gained fame for the Doolittle Raid, a daring bombing mission over Japan in 1942. Over 9,800 units were produced, making it one of the most iconic medium bombers of the war.
Fact Sheet
| Role | Medium Bomber |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | North American Aviation |
| First Flight | August 19, 1940 |
| Service Entry | 1941 |
| Crew | 5–6 |
| Number Built | 9,816 |
Specifications (B-25J Model)
| Length | 52 ft 11 in (16.1 m) |
|---|---|
| Wingspan | 67 ft 7 in (20.6 m) |
| Height | 16 ft 4 in (5 m) |
| Wing Area | 610 sq ft (56.7 m²) |
| Empty Weight | 19,480 lb (8,835 kg) |
| Loaded Weight | 33,500 lb (15,195 kg) |
| Max Takeoff Weight | ~35,000 lb (15,876 kg) |
| Powerplant | 2 × Wright R-2600-92 Twin Cyclone radial engines (1,700 hp each) |
| Max Speed | 275 mph (443 km/h) |
| Cruise Speed | 230 mph (370 km/h) |
| Range | 1,350 mi (2,170 km) with 3,000 lb bomb load |
| Service Ceiling | 24,200 ft (7,380 m) |
| Rate of Climb | 1,500 ft/min (7.6 m/s) |
Armament & Defensive Equipment
| Guns | Up to 13 × .50 in (12.7 mm) M2 Browning machine guns |
|---|---|
| Bomb Load | Up to 3,000 lb (1,360 kg) |
| Aiming Equipment | Norden bombsight for precision targeting |
Notable Features
- Famed for the Doolittle Raid, the first U.S. bombing mission over Japan
- Highly adaptable for various roles, including ground attack and reconnaissance
- Reliable and rugged design with twin-engine configuration
- Used extensively in both European and Pacific theaters during WWII
- Postwar use in civilian roles, including firefighting and transport
North American B-25 Mitchell: The Versatile Medium Bomber
The North American B-25 Mitchell is an iconic American twin-engine, medium bomber that played a crucial and versatile role for the Allies in every theater of World War II. Named in honor of General Billy Mitchell, a pioneer of U.S. military aviation, the B-25 became one of the most recognizable and widely produced aircraft of its type.
B-25 Development & Origins
The development of the B-25 began in the mid-1930s as North American Aviation (NAA) responded to a U.S. Army Air Corps (USAAC) requirement for a medium bomber. The prototype, NA-40B, first flew in January 1939. Following modifications and refinements, including a change from a straight wing to a distinctive gull wing (which later reverted to a simpler constant-dihedral wing for production), the bomber was designated B-25. The first production B-25 flew in August 1940, and the aircraft entered service with the USAAC in 1941, just before the U.S. entered World War II. Over 9,800 B-25s were produced during the war, making it one of the most prolific bombers.
B-25 Design Features: Adaptable & Durable
The B-25’s design was characterized by its robust construction, twin-engine layout, and adaptability, allowing for numerous modifications and specialized roles.
- Twin-Engine Powerplant: Powered by two Wright R-2600 “Cyclone” 14-cylinder radial engines, each producing between 1,700 and 1,850 hp depending on the variant. These engines provided sufficient power for a maximum speed of around 440 km/h (275 mph) and a typical combat radius of 2,170 km (1,350 mi).
- High Wing Design: Its high wing placement provided good ground clearance for operations from various airfields, including rough forward bases.
- Dual-Tricycle Landing Gear: A rare feature for bombers of its era, contributing to its stability on the ground.
- Crew: Typically operated by a crew of five or six, depending on the variant and mission (pilot, co-pilot, bombardier/navigator, radio operator/waist gunner, engineer/waist gunner, tail gunner).
- Survivability: The B-25 earned a reputation for its toughness and ability to withstand significant battle damage, often returning to base despite heavy enemy fire.
B-25 Variants: Specialization & Offensive Firepower
The B-25 family evolved through numerous variants, often incorporating more offensive firepower:
- B-25B: Early production variant, famous for the Doolittle Raid.
- B-25C/D: Improved variants with more powerful engines, increased fuel capacity, and enhanced defensive armament.
- B-25J: The most widely produced variant, initially designed as a “glass nose” bomber, but many were converted into “strafer” versions. It incorporated more powerful engines, increased defensive armament (often up to 14 or 18 .50 cal machine guns), and increased bomb load capacity.
- B-25H: A highly specialized attack variant, famous for being armed with a 75 mm M4 cannon in the nose, making it the largest caliber gun ever mounted on a production bomber (and one of the largest on any combat aircraft). It also had four forward-firing .50 cal machine guns in the nose. This variant was primarily used for anti-shipping and ground attack missions in the Pacific.
- B-25G: An earlier attack variant, also featuring a 75 mm cannon, but with a manually loaded gun and less forward firepower than the H.
- PBJ-1: The U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) and U.S. Navy designation for their B-25 variants, primarily used for patrol, anti-shipping, and close air support.
- F-10: A photographic reconnaissance variant.
- AT-24: A post-war designation for trainer variants of the B-25.
B-25 Armament & Bomb Load
The B-25’s armament varied significantly by variant, ranging from purely defensive to heavily offensive:
- Internal Bomb Bay: Capable of carrying up to 3,000 lbs (1,360 kg) of bombs internally, or up to 6,000 lbs (2,720 kg) on external racks for shorter ranges (B-25J).
- Machine Guns:
- Early versions had 3-5 .50 cal machine guns.
- Later bomber versions (B-25J) typically had 12-14 .50 cal machine guns in various positions (nose, dorsal turret, waist, tail).
- “Strafer” versions (like the B-25J) could carry up to 14-18 forward-firing .50 cal machine guns, turning the aircraft into a flying gun platform for devastating ground attacks.
- Cannons: The B-25G and B-25H were uniquely armed with a 75 mm cannon in the nose, a rare and powerful weapon for an aircraft.
- Rockets & Torpedoes: Some variants could carry unguided rockets (HVARs) or even a torpedo for anti-shipping strikes.
B-25 Combat History: Global Impact
The B-25 Mitchell served with distinction in all major theaters of World War II, demonstrating its adaptability in a wide range of roles:
- Doolittle Raid (April 18, 1942): The B-25 gained immortal fame for its role in this daring carrier-launched retaliatory raid on Tokyo. Sixteen B-25Bs, led by Lt. Col. James Doolittle, launched from the USS Hornet, shocking Japan and boosting American morale. This was the first use of medium bombers from an aircraft carrier.
- Pacific Theater: Widely used for low-level bombing, strafing, and anti-shipping missions against Japanese forces. The cannon-armed B-25G/H models were particularly effective against Japanese shipping and ground targets.
- European Theater: Employed by the USAAF’s Ninth Air Force for medium-altitude bombing, close air support, and interdiction against German targets in North Africa, Italy, and later France.
- China-Burma-India (CBI) Theater: Crucial for attacking Japanese supply lines and airfields in difficult terrain.
- Mediterranean Theater: Played a significant role in softening up Axis defenses in North Africa and Italy.
- Allied Service: Beyond the U.S., the B-25 was operated by numerous Allied air forces, including the Royal Air Force (RAF), Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), Royal Netherlands East Indies Air Force, Free French Air Force, Soviet Air Force, and others, often through Lend-Lease.
B-25 Retirement & Enduring Legacy
After World War II, the B-25 was quickly phased out of front-line combat service by most air forces. Many were converted into trainers (like the TB-25) or transport aircraft. The last B-25s were officially retired from U.S. Air Force service in 1959 (as AT-24 trainers).
Today, the B-25 Mitchell remains a popular and beloved “warbird” at airshows and museums. As of July 2025, there are still a significant number of B-25s surviving, with several remaining airworthy and actively flying in various air display circuits and commemorative events around the world, a testament to its durable design and historical significance. Its legacy as a versatile and hard-hitting medium bomber in World War II is firmly secured.
