#JLP2392-Y – North American B-25 Mitchell Bomber

In 1936, North American Aviation began work on its first twin-engine military design. Dubbed the NA-21 (later NA-39), this project ultimately evolved into the XB-21. In testing against the Douglas B-18 Bolo, the design performed well but a high price tag led the US Army Air Corps to pass on the aircraft. Utilizing the lessons learned from the project, North American moved forward with a new design for a medium bomber which was dubbed the NA-40. Among the improvements incorporated in the NA-40 was the use of two Wright R-2600 Cyclone engines. Seeking to take advantage of Britain and France’s need for a medium bomber during the early days of World War II, North American originally intended the NA-40 to be built for export. Both countries elected to move forward with a different aircraft and North American submitted an improved NA-40B design to the USAAC for evaluation as a medium bomber. A prototype of the aircraft first flew on August 19, 1940. As the USAAC had an immediate need for a medium bomber, the type was accepted without additional test versions being built. Designated B-25 Mitchell, the aircraft was named for Major General Billy Mitchell. Featuring a distinctive twin tail, early variants of the B-25 also incorporated a “greenhouse”-style nose which contained the bombardier’s position. They also possessed a tail gunner position at the rear of the aircraft. This was eliminated in the B-25B while a manned dorsal turret was added along with a remotely operated ventral turret. Around 120 B-25Bs were built with some going to the Royal Air Force as the Mitchell Mk.I. Improvements continued and the first type to be mass-produced was the B-25C/D.