EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2013: The North American B-25 Mitchell

Fred Harl and Carmelo Turdo

Continuing with our salute to warbird bombers, the next aircraft in the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2013 series is the North American B-25 Mitchell.  The B-25 first flew on August 19, 1940 and went into service the following February.  Well known for the attack on Tokyo by the "Doolittle Raiders" on April 18, 1942, the aircraft was classified as a medium bomber at the time, designed to carry a 3000 pound bomb load and six .50 caliber machine guns (more were added in later "J" model modifications).  Nearly 10,000 were produced at the North American Inglewood, CA and Kansas City, KS production plants.  There are about 40 airworthy B-25s in the U.S., mostly later-model B-25J models, and they are often present at airshows and on tours throughout the country.  The Aero Experience presents a sample of B-25s with flashy nose art:

Betty's Dream

 

Devil Dog (U.S. Marine Corps PBJ)

Georgie's Gal

Lady Luck

Panchito