B-25 Mitchell
North American · United States · first flew 1940 · bomber
The North American B-25 Mitchell was a hard-hitting American twin-engined medium bomber, famous for the 1942 Doolittle Raid launched from a carrier deck.
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:
- Twin radial engines on a gull-cranked mid wing
- Distinctive twin fins and rudders on the tailplane
- Greenhouse nose and tricycle undercarriage
The twin fins and rudders are the clearest recognition feature. Two radial engines hang from a mid wing with a slight upward crank near the roots. A glazed greenhouse nose and tricycle undercarriage round out the medium-bomber shape.
Specifications
- The B-25 Mitchell has a length of 16.13 m (53 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 20.6 m (68 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 438 km/h (272 mph).
- Typical crew: 5 to 6.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
First flown in 1940, the B-25 introduced a slightly gull-cranked wing to cure early stability issues. It served in every theatre as a level bomber, strafer and anti-shipping aircraft. Its most celebrated moment came when sixteen Mitchells struck Japan after taking off from USS Hornet.
Variants
Versions ran through the B-25J, with strafer noses packing many forward-firing machine guns. The B-25G and H carried a 75 mm nose cannon for anti-shipping work. The RAF operated the type as the Mitchell with Bomber Command and 2nd Tactical Air Force.
Where you'll see it
RAF Mitchells flew with No. 2 Group over occupied Europe, a record honoured in British wartime aviation history. Airworthy B-25s are mostly US-based but regularly attend UK airshows such as Flying Legends at Duxford. The Imperial War Museum collection helps tell the type's story in Britain.
Related aircraft
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