North American B-25J Mitchell
North American Aviation · USA · first flew 1943 · bomber
The B-25J is the final and most-produced Mitchell variant — 4,318 built — offering the greatest flexibility of any B-25 mark with a choice of glazed or solid nose, up to twelve .50 cal guns, and serving with the USAAF, RAF, RAAF, and Soviet forces through the end of the war.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × piston, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 16.13 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Twin fin |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Glazed nose with a stepped lower gondola accommodating the bombardier — the B-25J offered a choice of glazed or solid nose, but the standard production nose was glazed with two cheek .50 cal guns in blisters
- Twin tail fins and rudders in the characteristic Mitchell 'double-tail' arrangement, with a dorsal turret amidships and a tail gunner position
- Twelve .50 cal guns possible in the maximum armament configuration: nose, cheeks, dorsal turret, waist, and tail positions — the most armed B-25 mark
Against earlier B-25 marks (B-25C/D/G/H): the J is the most numerous and likely mark seen. B-25G/H had a 75 mm cannon in the nose giving a massive gun projecting ahead; B-25J never had this. The B-25H had 14 guns and a solid nose. Twin tail fins are family-wide. Against A-26: the Mitchell is a tail-dragger with higher-mounted engines and twin tails; the Invader has tricycle gear and a clean single-fin tail.
Specifications
- The North American B-25J Mitchell has a length of 16.13 m (53 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 20.6 m (68 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 443 km/h (275 mph).
- Typical crew: 5-6.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
First flew December 1943; production ran through August 1945. The J-model equipped virtually every Mitchell-operating Allied air force in the final phase of WWII. The choice between glazed and solid nose was available from the factory or via field modification kits. PBJ-1J was the US Navy/Marine Corps designation. The Mitchell remained in service post-war with dozens of nations through the mid-1950s.
Variants
B-25J with glazed nose (standard), B-25J with solid 'strafer' nose (field modification or late-production), PBJ-1J (USMC/USN), Mitchell Mk.III (RAF/RAAF designation).
Where you'll see it
USAAF, USN/USMC, RAF, RAAF, RCAF, RNZAF, Soviet VVS. Post-war with Brazil, China, Cuba, Indonesia, and others. The B-25J is the most common surviving airworthy WWII bomber; dozens fly at airshows worldwide including the Commemorative Air Force fleet.
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