The North American B-25B Mitchell, a medium bomber, was used in the 1942 Doolittle raid against Japan. Approximately 9800 B-25 models were produced, though the series was expanded through the J model during WWII.
The B-25 started as a concept in 1938, when North American gambled that the Army Air Corps was going to need a new bomber. The NA-40 first flew in January 1939, before being modified into the NA-40B to meet USAAC requirements.
The model was further refined as the NA-62, of which 24 were ordered as initial production aircraft, which were delivered in February 1941.
B-25B Specifications
- Powerplants: two 1700hp Wright R-2600-9 14 cylinder two-row radial engines
Maximum speed: 300mph
Ceiling: 23,500 ft.
Range: 1350 miles
Bomb Load: 3000 lb
Weight (empty): 20,000 lb.
Weight (max): 28,460 lb
Span: 67 ft. 7 in.
Length: 52 ft. 11 in.
Height: 15 ft. 9 in.
Armament: 30 cal. MG in nose, twin 50 cal MGs in dorsal turret, twin 50 cal MGs in ventral turret
Info from: Aircraft of World War II by Chris Chant, 1999, ISBN: 1-58663-303-1, page 258.
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