Airplanes Online Home Page The story of the North American B-25 Mitchell bomber, its history, design, production numbers, surviving planes, photographs


North American B-25 "Mitchell" Bomber

The B-25 Mitchell was a twin-engined medium bomber used in World War II, and manufactured by North American Aviation. The B-25 was named in honor of military aviation pioneer General Billy Mitchell.

Design and Development of the B-25 Mitchell Bomber

Early production model of the B-25 Mitchell
Early production model of the B-25 Mitchell

Experience gained in developing the XB-21 was used by North American in designing the B-25 (called the NA-40 by the company). Only one NA-40 was built, with several modifications later being done to test a number of potential improvements.

In 1939, a modified and improved NA-40B was submitted to the United States Army Air Corps for evaluation. The next evolution of the aircraft was named the NA-62, which became the basis for the first actual B-25.

The B-25 first flew on August 19, 1940, and the U.S. Army Air Corps accepted the first five B-25s in February of 1941.

B-25 Mitchell Bomber Model Numbers

The first 24 aircraft built had no model letter, but are sometimes referred to as the B-25 NA.

The next 40 aircraft were designated B-25A. There were two main changes in this version: the pilot, co-pilot and bombardier were provided with armor behind their seats, and self-sealing fuel tanks were installed. The last of the 120 B-25B aircraft were delivered in January 1942.

Following a number of additional modifications, including the addition of Plexiglas windows for the navigator and radio operator, heavier nose armament, and deicing and anti-icing equipment, the B-25C was delivered to the Army Air Corp. The B-25C and B-25D differed only in location of manufacture; the B25-C was built at Inglewood, California, while the B-25-D was built in Kansas City, Kansas.

Because of the urgent need for hard-hitting strafer aircraft, the B-25G was developed, in which the standard-length transparent nose and the bombardier were replaced by a shorter solid nose containing guns and cannon.

The B-25G's successor, the B-25H, had even more firepower. The final, and the most built, version of the Mitchell, the B-25J, looked much like the earlier B, C and D, having reverted to the longer, glazed bombardier's nose, but with the -H version's relocated-forward dorsal manned turret.

B-25 Mitchell "Russell's Raiders", Registration F-AZZU, at Roanne, France in 2010 (Photo by DELEHELLE Eric)
B-25 Mitchell "Russell's Raiders", Registration F-AZZU, at Roanne, France

 

 

B-25 Mitchell S/N 429028, Buzz Number BD-028
B-25 Mitchell S/N 429028 Buzz Number BD-028

 

The B-25 Bomber in Action in World War II

The B-25 saw duty in every combat area being flown by the Dutch, British, Chinese, Russians and Australians in addition to U.S. forces.

Although the B-25 was originally intended for level bombing from medium altitudes, the plane was used extensively in the Pacific area for bombing Japanese airfields from treetop level and for strafing and skip bombing of enemy shipping.

B-25s on the deck of the USS Hornet
B-25s on the deck of the USS Hornet

The Doolittle Raid

The airplane is well remembered for its role in the Doolittle Raid, on April 18, 1942, the first air raid by the United States to strike the Japanese homeland during World War II.

Sixteen B-25B aircraft were launched from the U.S. Navy's aircraft carrier USS Hornet. The strike made the Japanese realize that they were vulnerable to attack, and served as a morale booster for the United States.


 

Air Apaches ... 345th Bombardment Group sign in World War II
Air Apaches ... 345th Bombardment Group sign in World War II

Air Apaches

The 345th Bombardment Group, the Air Apaches, operated primarily in the Southwest Pacific Theater as a B-25 Mitchell bomber unit assigned to Fifth Air Force.

The Group was selected to escort the Japenese surrender party from Japan to Ie Shima.

B-25 Mitchells of the Air Apaches in World War II

B-25 Mitchell of the Air Apaches in World War II

 

B-25 Mitchell Technical Specifications

B-25 Mitchell TOPPS Card #86B-25 Mitchell TOPPS Card #86 (from the TOPPS Wings Friend or Foe collection)

Armament: Six .50-cal. machine guns; 3,000 lbs. of bombs
Engine: Two Wright R-2600s of 1,700 hp each
Maximum speed: 328 mph
Cruising speed: 233 mph
Range: 2,500 miles (with auxiliary tanks)
Ceiling: 21,200 ft.
Span: 67 ft. 6 in.
Length: 53 ft.
Height: 16 ft. 9 in.
Weight: 29,300 lbs. maximum
Cost: $109,670 (1943)

B-25 Production Numbers

Of the 9,890 B-25s built during WWII, there are more than one hundred surviving aircraft around the world, most of which are located in the United States.

The table shown below represents a recap of B-25 Mitchell production by model, and by manufacturing plant:

B-25 Model
North American
Inglewood, CA
North American
Kansas City, KS
Production
Numbers
NA-40
1
11
B-25
24
24
B-25A
40
40
B-25B
120
120
B-25C
1,620
1,690
B-25D
2,290
2,290
B-25G
405
405
B-25H
1,000
1,000
B-25J
4,390
4,390
Total
3,210
6,680
9,890

Post-WWII Usage of the B-25

After WWII, most B-25s were sent to long-term storage. The planes continued in service through the late 1940s and 1950s in a variety of training, reconnaissance and support roles.

Its principal use during this period was for undergraduate training of multi-engine aircraft pilots slated for reciprocating engine or turboprop cargo, aerial refueling or reconnaissance aircraft.

B-25J Mitchell "Lazy Daisy Mae" S/N 44-86891 on display at the Castle Air Museum in Atwater, California
B-25J Mitchell "Lazy Daisy Mae" S/N 44-86891

 

B-25 Mitchell Surviving Aircraft

Many B-25 aircraft are on static display in museums and airparks across the United States, and around the world, such as the B-25J S/N 44-86891 "Lazy Daisy Mae" in California (see photo below).

Additional B-25 aircraft are still airworthy, such as "Yellow Rose" and "Devil Dog" (see photos below).

Photos of B-25 Mitchell Surviving Aircraft Today

B-25N Mitchell, S/N 44-30363, on display at the Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum, Nebraska
B-25N Mitchell, S/N 44-30363, on display at the Strategic Air Command & Space Museum, Nebraska
Front gun armament on the B-25J-5-NC "Yellow Rose"
Front gun armament on the B-25J-5-NC "Yellow Rose"
Tail section on the B-25J-5-NC "Yellow Rose"
Tail section on the B-25J-5-NC "Yellow Rose"
B-25J S/N 43-27712, "The Spirit of Al Penn", on display at the Pima Air and Space Museum in Tuscon, Arizona - "I'm not a trouble maker, but ..."
B-25J "The Spirit of Al Penn"
North American PBJ-1J "Devil Dog" patrol bomber, a B-25 variant for the Marine Corps
Part of the Devil Dog Squadron of the Commemorative Air Force (CAF), located in Georgetown, TX
North American PBJ-1J "Devil Dog" patrol bomber, a B-25 variant for the Marine Corps
U.S. Marine Corps. PBJ-1J "Devil Dog" patrol bomber - front gun armament
U.S. Marine Corps. PBJ-1J "Devil Dog" patrol bomber - front gun armament
U.S. Marine Corps. PBJ-1J "Devil Dog" patrol bomber - rear gun turret
U.S. Marine Corps. PBJ-1J "Devil Dog" patrol bomber - rear gun turret
B-25J Mitchell, S/N 44-86872, "The Little King",
at the Museum of Aviation, Robins AFB, Warner-Robins, Georgia
B-25J Mitchell, S/N 44-86872, "The Little King"
B-25 Mitchell at the Air Force Armament Museum, Eglin AFB, Florida
B-25 Mitchell
RB-25D Mitchell S/N 43-3374, rebuilt as a B-25B, at the Museum of the U.S. Air Force
RB-25D Mitchell S/N 43-3374, rebuilt as a B-25B, at the Museum of the U.S. Air Force
B-25J Mitchell, S/N 44-86772, at the Hill Aerospace Museum in Ogden, Utah
B-25J Mitchell, S/N 44-86772
Gun armament on the B-25J Mitchell, S/N 44-86772
Gun armament on the B-25J Mitchell, S/N 44-86772
Side fuselage guns on the B-25J Mitchell, S/N 44-86772
Side fuselage guns on the B-25J Mitchell, S/N 44-86772
Tail section of the B-25J Mitchell, S/N 44-86772
Tail section of the B-25J Mitchell, S/N 44-86772

B-25 Mitchell III, S/N 34030, personal plane of General Dwight D. Eisenhower in World War II
South Dakota Air & Space Museum, Ellsworth Air Force Base, Rapid City, South Dakota
B-25 Mitchell III, S/N 34030, personal plane of General Dwight D. Eisenhower in World War II


More Photos of B-25 Mitchell Survivors

B-25 Mitchell "Russian to Get Ya"
Nose art on B-25 Mitchell "Russian to Get Ya"
B-25 Mitchell "Show Me!"
Nose art on B-25 Mitchell "Show Me!"
B-25J S/N 44-30243 at the Pendleton Air Museum in Pendleton, Oregon
(photo by Michael Hoschouer)
B-25J S/N 44-30243 at the Pendleton Air Museum in Pendleton, Oregon
B-25J at the Malstrom Air Force Base airpark, Great Falls, Montana
(photo by Michael Hoschouer)
B-25J at the Malstrom Air Force Base, Montana


Vintage B-25 Mitchell Photos

B-25A Mitchell on the apron
B-25A Mitchell on the apron
B-25 Mitchell S/N 58832
B-25 Mitchell S/N 58832

 

B-25 Mitchell with escort ... historic picture postcard
B-25 Mitchell with escort ... historic picture postcard


B-25 Mitchell parked at Seymour Johnson Field in WWII, with P-47 in background
B-25 Mitchell on apron at Seymour Johnson Field in WWII