North American B-25 Mitchell

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.

A-1 Skyraider

A-1 Skyraider

The A-1 Skyraider entered service in December 1946 and saw combat in both Korea and Vietnam.   A total of 3,180 aircraft were produced before production ended in 1957.  With a cruising speed of 170 to 200 kts, a level attack speed of 260 kts, and a maximum sea level red-line speed of 410 kts, the Skyraider hugged the terrain below enemy radar coverage and delivered ordnance loads up to 8000 pounds.  It’s pilots and crews bestowed many names on the Skyraider: Sandy, Spad, Hobo, Zorro, Firefly.  On 10 April 1968, the U.S. Navy officially retired the Able Dog.

TBM Avenger

TBM Avenger

The Grumman TBM Avenger is a torpedo bomber developed for the Navy and Marine Corps.  It entered service in 1942 and first saw action during the Battle of Midway.  Although five Avengers were lost at Midway, it became one of the outstanding torpedo bombers of the war.  It remained in service until the 1960s after several modifications.

Black Hawk Helicopter

Blackhawk Helicopter

The Black Hawk Helicopter is a four-bladed, twin-engine helicopter manufactured by Sikorsky Aircraft.  It entered service with the U.S. Army in 1979, as the Army’s tactical transport helicopter. Then electronic warfare and special operations variants of the Black Hawk were developed. Black Hawks have served in many combat operations.  Today, they were practicing formation takeoffs and landings at the airport.