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North American B-25 Mitchell

North American · Medium Bomber · USA · WWII (1939–1945)

North American B-25 Mitchell — Medium Bomber
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The North American B-25 Mitchell was a U.S. twin-engine medium bomber best known for the 18 April 1942 Doolittle Raid — the first U.S. air strike against the Japanese home islands, launched from the deck of USS Hornet. North American built 9,816 B-25s between 1939 and August 1945. The Mitchell served the U.S. Army Air Forces, Navy / Marine Corps (as PBJ-1), Royal Air Force, Soviet Air Force, Free French, Australian RAAF, Dutch East Indies, Brazilian, and other Allied air forces. The B-25 was named after Brigadier General Billy Mitchell, the controversial 1920s air-power advocate who predicted long-range bombing as a decisive military force.

The B-25 used two Wright R-2600 Cyclone 14-cylinder radials (1,700 hp each). Maximum speed 272 mph; range 1,350 miles; service ceiling 24,200 ft. The aircraft was unusually heavily-armed for a medium bomber: 12 to 18 .50-cal Browning machine guns in several nose, dorsal, waist, and tail positions, plus 3,000 lb of bombs internally. The B-25H gunship variant added a 75 mm M4 cannon firing forward through a modified nose — the largest gun ever fitted to a U.S. production aircraft. The B-25's gunship and strafer configurations made it the principal U.S. low-level anti-shipping aircraft in the Pacific theatre.

The Doolittle Raid of 18 April 1942 made the B-25 famous. 16 B-25Bs were modified for the mission — extra fuel tanks, no nose gun, no Norden bombsight (replaced with a simpler 20-cent fixture). Lt. Col. James H. Doolittle led the 16-aircraft strike off USS Hornet's deck, attacked targets in Tokyo, Yokohama, and other Japanese cities, then continued on to friendly Chinese airfields. All 16 aircraft were lost (15 crashed in China, one diverted to the Soviet Union and was interned), but 71 of the 80 crewmen survived. The mission's long-range effect was modest but its psychological effect on both sides was marked — the raid demonstrated that the Japanese home islands were vulnerable and accelerated Japanese long-range planning toward Midway.

The B-25 also flew extensively in the South Pacific, Mediterranean, North Africa, and Soviet front. Pacific 5th Air Force B-25 strafer variants destroyed about 380 Japanese ships during 1943-1945 anti-shipping operations. Royal Air Force B-25s served as Mitchell II and Mitchell III. Production ended in August 1945 after 9,816 airframes; about 35 B-25s survive in airworthy condition today, including the Commemorative Air Force's Yellow Rose, the Collings Foundation's Tondelayo, and others. The Mitchell remains a regular at U.S. and European airshows.

For Kids — a shorter, friendlier version

The B-25 Mitchell was an American medium bomber from World War II. It became famous for one of the war's most-daring missions: the Doolittle Raid on Tokyo in April 1942. Sixteen B-25s took off from the aircraft carrier USS Hornet, attacked Japan, and proved that Japan's home islands could be reached by American bombers.

The B-25 is about 52 feet long — longer than a school bus. Two engines on the wings, a glass nose for the bombardier, and a twin tail (two vertical fins instead of one). The B-25 could carry 6,000 pounds of bombs. Top speed about 272 mph — not fast, but tough and reliable.

About 9,816 B-25s were built between 1939 and 1945. They flew for many Allied air forces: American, British, Australian, Canadian, Soviet, Chinese, and others. B-25s did many jobs: bombing, ground attack with nose guns, naval anti-ship attacks, and the famous Doolittle Raid.

The Doolittle Raid changed history. Even though the actual damage to Japan was small, the raid embarrassed Japanese leaders and forced them to keep more planes at home for defense. The B-25s couldn't land back on the carrier (too short for them), so the crews flew on to China and crash-landed. Most crews were rescued by Chinese helpers, though some were captured. Eight B-25s and several Doolittle Raiders survive today in museums.

Fun Facts

  • Sixteen B-25 Mitchells flew the famous Doolittle Raid on Tokyo, taking off from the aircraft carrier USS Hornet in April 1942.
  • About 9,816 B-25s were built between 1939 and 1945.
  • The B-25 had a glass nose for the bombardier to aim through, plus a twin tail (two vertical fins).
  • Some B-25s had a 75mm cannon (huge for an aircraft) in the nose — a flying artillery piece.
  • The Doolittle Raid embarrassed Japanese leaders and forced them to keep more planes at home for defense.
  • B-25s flew for many Allied air forces: U.S., UK, Australia, Canada, Russia, China, and more.
  • About 8 B-25s still fly today at airshows — they're some of the most-popular WWII bomber displays.

Kids’ Questions

What was the Doolittle Raid?

Four months after the Pearl Harbor attack, the U.S. wanted to strike back at Japan to show that even the Japanese homeland was vulnerable. Lt. Col. Jimmy Doolittle led 80 volunteer aviators in 16 B-25 Mitchells. The B-25s took off from the aircraft carrier USS Hornet on April 18, 1942 — the first time medium bombers had ever launched from an aircraft carrier. They bombed Tokyo and other Japanese cities. Because the carrier deck was too short to land B-25s, the crews flew on to China after the raid and crash-landed there. Most of the crews were rescued by Chinese helpers; some were captured by Japanese forces. The raid proved a powerful boost to American morale.

Why is the B-25 called Mitchell?

The B-25 is named after Brigadier General William "Billy" Mitchell — an American pilot from WWI who pushed for stronger air forces in peacetime. Mitchell was so outspoken about American air power that he was court-martialed in 1925 for criticizing Army leaders. He lost his rank and left the military. But Mitchell's ideas turned out to be right — by WWII, air power had become essential, exactly as he had predicted. North American Aviation named the B-25 after him to honor his foresight. Mitchell never lived to see the bomber that bears his name — he died in 1936, five years before the first B-25 flew.

Variants

B-25A / B / C / D (early)
Early production 1940-1942. Most B-25Bs (40 built) used in the Doolittle Raid. About 1,800 B-25C/D built — Mitchell II in RAF service.
B-25G / H (gunship)
Strafer/gunship variants with 75 mm M4 cannon firing forward through modified nose, plus 14 .50-cal Browning machine guns. About 405 + 1,000 built. Used in Pacific anti-shipping operations.
B-25J (most-produced)
Final production sub-variant 1944-1945. 4,318 built — the most-produced B-25 sub-variant. Mitchell III in RAF service. 14-gun nose option.
PBJ-1 (US Navy / Marine Corps)
U.S. Navy / Marine Corps anti-shipping variant. About 706 built. Marines flew PBJ-1s in the Pacific from 1944-1945.

Notable Operators

U.S. Army Air Forces
Largest user. About 6,000 B-25s served USAAF medium-bomber squadrons in Pacific (5th and 13th Air Forces), Mediterranean, North Africa, China-Burma-India, and Italian theatres.
Royal Air Force
About 870 Mitchell II / III delivered under Lend-Lease 1942-1945. Served 2 Group Bomber Command in the European medium-bomber role.
Soviet Air Force
About 870 B-25s delivered under Lend-Lease 1942-1945. Used in medium-bomber and reconnaissance roles on the Eastern Front.
U.S. Navy / U.S. Marine Corps
About 706 PBJ-1 anti-shipping variants. Operated by Marine Corps from 1944-1945 in the Pacific theatre.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the Doolittle Raid?

The 18 April 1942 first U.S. air strike against Japan, launched from USS Hornet's deck. Lt. Col. James H. Doolittle led 16 modified B-25Bs to attack targets in Tokyo, Yokohama, Yokosuka, Nagoya, Osaka, and Kobe, then continue to friendly Chinese airfields. All 16 B-25s were lost; 71 of 80 crew survived. The mission's long-range effect was modest but its psychological effect was marked, driving Japanese leadership to attempt the Midway operation in June 1942.

Why did the B-25 carry a 75 mm cannon?

The B-25H gunship variant fitted a 75 mm M4 cannon (the same gun used on the M3 Lee tank) firing forward through the modified nose — the largest gun ever installed in a U.S. production aircraft. Used in Pacific anti-shipping strafing roles, the cannon could destroy a Japanese cargo ship or destroyer with 2-3 hits. The gunner manually loaded each shell.

Who was Billy Mitchell?

Brigadier General William "Billy" Mitchell (1879-1936), the controversial 1920s U.S. air-power advocate. Mitchell argued for an independent air force and for long-range bombing as a decisive military tool — predictions that came true in WWII. He was court-martialled in 1925 for publicly criticising Army and Navy senior officers; the B-25 Mitchell was named after him in 1939, three years after his death and as the long-range-bombing doctrine he had advocated was being adopted.

How many B-25s were built?

9,816 airframes between 1939 and August 1945. The B-25J (1944-1945) was the most-produced sub-variant at 4,318 airframes. Production was at North American's Inglewood, California plant and a second line at Kansas City.

Are any B-25s still flying?

Yes — about 35 airworthy B-25s in 2026, more than any other WWII U.S. medium bomber. Notable airshow regulars include the Commemorative Air Force's Yellow Rose and the Collings Foundation's Tondelayo (until recent retirement). Static-display airframes at most major U.S. aviation museums.

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