B-25 "Mitchell" - Lackland AFB - San Antonio, Texas
Posted by: 
BruceS
N 29° 23.410 W 098° 37.081
14R E 537064 N 3251274
World War II era bomber located adjacent to main parade field at Lackland Air Force Base.
Waymark Code: WM3C3K
Location: Texas, United States
Date Posted: 03/12/2008
Views: 55
B-25
"Mitchell"
The B-25, named the Mitchell bomber in memory of colonel William
("Billy") Mitchell, served on every major front during WWII. Initially
designed as a medium bomber in 1938, the Mitchell was adaptable and versatile to
several missions: high and low leveling bombing, personal transport, photo
reconnaissance, submarine patrol, and training. It was even known to have
been used as fighter in some instances. Close to 11,000 were built between
1940 and 1945 with 9,816 serving with the United States Army Air Force and the
rest with the United states Navy and the Air Forces of other allied powers.
Design work began in 1938 as a private venture of the North American
Corporation. The first prototype flew in January 1938. The first
production order for 184 aircraft, was in September 1939 with the first flight
from this order occurring in August 1940. The B-25A went operational with
the 17th Bombardment Group (Medium) at McChord Field in 1941. A B-25A
operating on an anti-shipping patrol December 1941 successfully attached and
sunk a Japanese submarine - the first combat for the aircraft. In April
1942 the Mitchell went into action against Japanese targets in New Guinea and
the Philippines. The best known raid by the B-25 occurred in April 1942
when Lt. Col. James H. Doolittle flying off the aircraft carrier USS Hornet, led
a 16-aircraft formation attacking the Japanese heartland by striking Tokyo 800
miles away. Colonel Doolittle received the Congressional Medal of Honor
for his actions. The crews for the mission were from the 17th Group and
the 86th Reconnaissance Squadron. Later modifications to the B-25 included
an auto-pilot, external racks over the fuselage and wings, tanks for a standard
fuel load of 1,100 gallons, fittings to carry an external 2,000 lb torpedo,
hot-air/electrical de-icing for the wing leading edge and a variety of
armorment including an Army 75-mm field gun and up to 18 0.50 inch machine guns,
plus a 3,000 lb bomb load. Many B-25's passed into post war service with
the various commands. The last TB-25, or training model, was retired from
service at Reese AFB, Texas in January 1959. The last staff transport in
use was retired in May 1960.
| Manufacturer: North American Aviation Inc. |
Max Gross Weight: 35,000 lbs |
| Type: Light Bomber |
Max Speed: 372 mph |
| Accommodation: Crew of three to six according to the mission |
Cruise Speed: 230 mph |
| Wing Span: 67' 7" |
Range: 1,350 miles |
| Length: 52' 11" |
Max Altitude: 24,200 |
| Height: 16' 4" |
Power Plant: 2-1700 HP R-2600-92 |
| Empty Weight: 19,480 lbs |
|
Information from sign in front of aircraft.