North American Aviation TB-25N "Mitchell"
Serial Number: 18
Registration:
Markings: 1944 US
Museum Condition: Flying
First Flight after Restoration: May 29th, 2009
"Maid in the Shade" fully restored and taking off for the first time in over 28 years!
Named after Gen. Billy Mitchell, the Army Air Corps' most famous figure of the 1920s and 1930s, the North American TB-25N proved to be one of the best American weapons of World War II. The TB-25N Mitchell, a twin-engine bomber that became standard equipment for the Allied Air Forces in World War II, was perhaps the most versatile aircraft of the war. It became the most heavily armed airplane in the world, was used for high-and low-level bombing, strafing, photo reconnaissance, submarine patrol and even as a fighter, and was distinguished as the aircraft that completed the historic raid over Tokyo in 1942. Subsequently, it saw duty in every combat area being flown by the Dutch, British, Chinese, Russians and Australians in addition to our own U.S. forces. Although the airplane was originally intended for level bombing from medium altitudes, it was used extensively in the Pacific area for bombing Japanese airfields from treetop level and for strafing and skip bombing enemy shipping.
More than 9,800 B-25s were built during WW II. Basically, it was a twin-tail, mid-wing land monoplane powered by two 1,700-hp Wright Cyclone engines. Normal bomb capacity was 5,000 pounds. Some versions carried 75 mm cannon, machine guns and added firepower of 13 .50-caliber guns in the conventional bombardier's compartment. One version carried eight .50-caliber guns in the nose in an arrangement that provided 14 forward-firing guns.
The TB-25N under restoration at the Arizona Wing museum has quite a history. Flying out of Serraggia in Corsica during 1944-45 with the 319 Bomb Group, this TB-25N flew 15 combat missions against the Axis in Italy. Restoration is very extensive due to the condition of the aircraft but when the Arizona Wing finishes this TB-25N, it will be restored to its 1944 configuration.
| Type |
Medium Bomber |
| Manufacturer |
North American Aviation |
| Maiden Flight |
19 August 1940 |
| Introduced |
1941 |
| Theatre of War |
World War II |
| Number Produced |
9,984 |
| Status |
Retired 1979 (last country to Operate: Indonesia) |
| Crew |
6
Pilot
Co-pilot
Navigator/bombardier
Engineer/Turret Gunner
Radio Operator/Waist Gunner
Tail Gunner |
| Wingspan |
67 ft 6 in |
| Length |
52 ft 11 in |
| Height |
17 ft 7 in |
| Empty Weight |
21,120 lbs |
| Max Takeoff Weight |
41,800 lbs |
| Power Plant |
(2) Wright R-2600-35 "Cyclone" 14 cylinder radials |
| Horsepower |
1,700 hp (each) |
| Maximum Speed |
239 knots (275 mph) |
| Service Ceiling |
25,000 ft |
| Rate of Climb |
790 ft/min |
| Range |
1,170 nm (1,350 mi) |
Guns |
(1) 0.50 in (12.7 mm) machine gun in nose
(4) 0.50 in (12.7 mm) machine guns in "blisters" below cockpit
(2) 0.50 in (12.7 mm) machine guns in dorsal turret
(2) 0.50 in (12.7 mm) machine guns in tail turret
(2) 0.50 in (12.7 mm) machine guns in waist section (one on each side)
|
| Rockets (Optional) |
(8) 5 in (127 mm) unguided rockets under outer wings |
| Payload |
3,000 lbs of bombs (internally) |
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