Years In Service: 1941-1979
Initial Flight: August 19, 1940
Named in honor of US airpower advocate Brig. Gen. William “Billy” Mitchell, the North American B-25 was a true workhorse of World War II. It became the most heavily armed airplane in the world and was used for high- and low-level bombing, strafing, photoreconnaissance, submarine patrol, and even as a fighter. B-25Bs were used for the first bombing raid on Japan, on April 18, 1942, commanded by then Lt. Colonel Jimmy Doolittle. Sixteen B-25s flew from the 450 ft. deck of the USS Hornet and bombed four Japanese cities, including Tokyo. This B-25J flew into Castle and was greeted by General Doolittle when it landed.
Aircraft Specifications
Height: 19′ 1″ Wingspan: 67′ 7″ Length: 53′ 6″ Crew: 4-6 Armament: Some versions carried 75 mm cannons, machine guns and added firepower of thirteen .50 caliber guns. One version carried eight .50 caliber guns that provided fourteen forward-firing guns Payload: 3,000-pound bomb load No. of Engines: 2 Horsepower: 1,700 hp. Cruise speed: 275 mph Max Speed: 300 mph Ceiling: 24,200 ft.