North American B-25 Mitchell
April 18th marked the 74th anniversary of the Doolittle Raid. This B-25 image was captured in 2012 during the Doolittle Raid Reunion on the 70th anniversary. 20 B-25s converged on Grimes Field in Urbana, OH. They took off and flew in formation to Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, OH; where the surviving members of the raid were honored. Today, only a couple are still with us. For a first hand account of B-25 activities at the 70th Doolittle Raider reunion: B-25s at the 70th Doolittle Raiders Reunion.
North American B-25 Mitchell, a twin-engine bomber, was used by the Allied air forces in World War II. It became the most heavily armed airplane of its time and was used for bombing, strafing, photo reconnaissance, submarine patrol, and even as a fighter. Named for famed Brigadier General William “Billy” Mitchell, it was a twin-tail, mid-wing land monoplane powered by two 1,700-horsepower Wright Cyclone engines. Normal bomb capacity was 5,000 pounds. Some were fitted with carried 75 mm cannon and .50-caliber machine guns.
