b25

The B-25 Mitchell, commonly referred to as the B-25, is an American twin‑engine medium bomber designed by North American Aviation for the United States Army Air Forces. Named after General Billy Mitchell, it was developed to provide a versatile, relatively inexpensive bomber able to operate at medium altitude and long range. The prototype first flew in 1940, and production continued through 1945 with about 9,800 aircraft built for U.S. and Allied air forces.

Design and development: The B-25 is powered by two Wright R-2600 radial engines, features a mid‑mounted wing and tricycle landing gear. It typically carried a crew of five. Armament varied by variant and included multiple forward-firing machine guns in the nose and flexible .50 caliber guns in dorsal and tail turrets; several variants employed a belly turret, and some versions carried a 75 mm cannon in the nose for anti-armour work.

Operational history: The B-25 served across the Allied theaters in World War II, operating in Europe, the Mediterranean, and the Pacific. It earned a reputation for reliability and adaptable mission profiles, including bombing, strafing, anti-ship attacks, and special operations. The most famous mission was the Doolittle Raid in April 1942, when B-25s launched from an American carrier to strike Tokyo and other targets, providing a strategic and morale boost. The type remained in service with various air forces into the late 1940s and beyond in some roles.

Variants and legacy: The B-25 was produced in numerous variants, with the B-25J the most numerous. It influenced postwar bomber design and remained a symbol of American air power during WWII. Today, surviving examples are preserved in museums and as static displays; the type is remembered for its versatility and for the Doolittle Raid.