North American PBJ-1 Mitchell
North American Aviation · United States · first flew 1940 · bomber
The North American PBJ-1 Mitchell is the US Navy and Marine Corps designation for the B-25 Mitchell twin-engine medium bomber, used extensively by USMC aviation for anti-shipping strikes and ground attack in the Pacific. The PBJ-1 was heavily modified with additional nose armament for low-level attack.
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:
- US Navy/USMC version of the B-25 Mitchell
- Twin-engine medium bomber with twin tails
- Heavily armed with nose guns for anti-shipping attack
Identical in outline to the B-25 Mitchell — distinctive gull wing centre-section, twin-tail, twin radial engines, and the characteristic flat-topped fuselage — with the USMC version often carrying a heavier nose gun armament.
Specifications
- The North American PBJ-1 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.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
The Marines received over 700 B-25s under the PBJ-1 designation, operating several sub-variants including the radar-equipped PBJ-1D and the heavily-gunned PBJ-1H with a 75mm cannon in the nose. Marine PBJ-1 squadrons flew extensively in the Pacific island-hopping campaign.
Variants
PBJ-1C through PBJ-1J designations corresponded to B-25C through B-25J variants with different armament and equipment fits; the PBJ-1H with the 75mm nose cannon was particularly notable.
Where you'll see it
Operated by US Marine Corps aviation squadrons in the Pacific from 1943, conducting anti-shipping, close air support, and ground attack missions throughout the island campaign.
Related aircraft
- North American NA-16-5
- North American NA-64 Yale
- P-51 Mustang
- Harvard I
- Arkhangelsky Ar-2
- B-25 Mitchell
- BB-MAI
- Bloch MB.162
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