North American B-25 Mitchell

Hank Goldman: Well, there were many B-25J with 8x M2 in the nose, but majority had normal greenhouse, my dear friend:-) Only G and H versions had gun noses in all examples built. But you are right, this is not B-25J. "H" and "J" versions have totally different defensive armamment- the dorsal turret is just behind the cockpit, there are two M2 on the sides of the fuselage and it also has turret on the tail, like the very early versions. On the 3-wiew is one of them, B-25B.

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I grew up in Pasadena, Texas and our house was located under the training "loop" (for the sake of a better word) for Ellington field (AFB). (Same field where Retired Pres. Geo W. flew out of for a time). Don't know if they were doing pilot training touch and go's or what but they (B25's) came over all day, every day. Year was somewhere around 1946 (before the Air Core became the USAF in '47 as I recall)

The planes came over the house in an arc completing the loop and I watched everyone. Apparently back then minimum altitude over a city wasn't invented yet and the planes were so low that I could clearly see the pilot (made a CCW circle), and sometimes waved at them. Loved to hear the engines.

When Ellington had open house and an air show, I couldn't wait for daddy to take me out there to see the 25's and other aircraft. I guess that's where I got the idea that when I grew up I wanted to be in the Air Corps which I did (USAF) but by then I wanted to be a fixer upper rather than a breaker upper...ha no insult intended. Had no desire to be a pilot. I was in love and wanted to learn a trade that I could use at local commercial airports to support a (hopefully soon to be) family. I joined up initially wanting to be a jet engine mechanic but scored high in electronics and they talked me into that. Was probably the second best thing that happened in my life (electronics career)......marrying my sweetheart was the best....been 47 1 /2 years now.

Mark

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I checked out in the Mitchell under the tutelage of Vern Schille -a Canadian aviation legend -at the Canadian Warplane Heritage in Hamilton Canada -a marvellous flying museum!. It flew like it looks -it was a beautiful airplane with no vices that I could detect -anybody who had ever flown a King Air or any other medium twin could transition to it without any problem.
The Warplane Heritage aircraft was the hard nosed model -I think it had 8 .50 cals up there -and as a former fighter pilot I would have loved to give them a try on a ground target, while low passes gave me the impression that it would have been an excellent skip bomber.
Mostly...there was the mystique of it being "a Mitchell" -one of the most famous aircraft of WW2. It was an honour!

Jock Williams

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Graduated Class 53-G. After six months at Bartow AB Fla. in the AT-6, spent the next six months at Vance AFB, Okla. wih 40 hrs in T-28 and then up to North Stage to fly tis wonderful aircraft; it was an experience I will never forget. Enjoyed every minute in the air with this marvelous airplane. A toast to all who flew it.

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i was stationed at reese afb, lubbock tx. from 51 through 55. i have logged a little over 5000 hrs as crew chief and flight eng. many fond memories their. we were training pilots from all over the world. i was chief on tail no.787 a b-25 l model.

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I'm fortunate to have 2 officially logged flights (rt.seat)in the B-25. I was an instructor in the T-33 at Laredo AFB one day when a guy walked in looking for a co-pilot to fly the pistol team to /from Laredo to Reese (Lubbock). Years before, during ROTC days, I did a book report on Doolittle's Tokyo raid. So now, I can talk about flying this historical aircraft.

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The first B-25 to take off from the aircraft carrier USS Hornet was on Feb 2nd, 1942 by Lt. John E. Fitzgerald. Three B-25's were placed on the 'Hornet" to test the ability of launching B-25's for the "Raid on Tokyo" 4 /18 /42.
The first B-25 to be launched on the raid was AC. 40-2344 Pilot James Doolittle , Co-Pilot R.E. "Dick" Cole, Nav. Henry A "Hank" Potter, Bombardier S /Sgt. Fred A. Braemer, Flt Eng- Gunner S /Sgt. Paul E. Leonard

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If I remember correctlyl, this is the aircraft Bill Mitchel flew from the aircraft carrier Hornet to make the first bombing run on Tokyo.

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I graduated from the last B-25 class at Lubbock, Texas (Class 58-L). Hearing that ealrly morning flight line with engines running has been unforgetable. Best wishes to all who experienced that fabulous aircraft.

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Picture shown is NOT a B25J. The B25J does not have a greenhouse in the nose. It has 8 50 caliber machine guns in the nose. I would like to see a B25J. I flew 25 missions in B25J.

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Other than for getting a whole lot of stuff! You forgot to mention the U.S.Marine Corp's PBJ-1D.-1J, and -1H aircraft.

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Please make the following changes to the my email comments
I sent to you on 30.4.2008:
(1). Line six should read = Presidential Distinguished Unit Citation .... (I left out Distinguished).
(2). Line nine after Website add =

You guys do good work. Thanks for your help.
Jack DeTour 38 BG WW II

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The 38th Bomb Group played a very significant roll in winning WW II in the Pacific. They flew B-25s strafing and bombing shipping, port facilities, air fields, rail road yards, oil fields, alcohol plants and ground support on a daily basis for four and a half Years from Australia to Japan. It was combat at 20 feet. The 38 BG was awarded four Presidential Unit Citations - more than any other unit
in the Pacific. One 38th BG member, Major Ralph Cheli, was awarded "The Medal Of Honor" while flying a mission in a
B-25. Check the 38 BG Website
-- Jack DeTour --

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My dad flew B-25's in the CBI theatre. He was flying a later model (no co-pilot) and was severely wounded bombing a bridge in VietNam. Wounded, he flew it home w /o O2 through a thunderstorm w /o canopy and instruments. This has to be one of the most widely used (all theatres) and field modified (12 .50cal MG firing forward w /75mm cannon too) a /c in history.

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