There are more than one hundred surviving North American B-25 Mitchells scattered over the world, mainly in the United States. Most of them are on static display in museums, but about 45 are still airworthy.
Was the B-25 a good plane?
The rugged, versatile B-25 saw action on almost every Allied front, from the Mediterranean to the Pacific, and from Burma to Normandy, and was regarded by many as the most successful twin-engine combat aircraft of World War II.
What is the difference between a b24 and a B-25?
The B-24 was designed as a long range heavy bomber, the B-25 as a shorter range medium bomber. The important factor to analyze is how did each bomber perform in its assigned role. The B-24 performed invaluable service in the 8th Air Force.
Did the B-25 have a tail gunner?
The tail gunner manned the most useful position of all—the B-25 was one of the first bombers to have a tail gun.
Are there any B-25 still flying? – Related Questions
What bomber was called the Widowmaker?
The result was a rash of accidents, so that the B-26 soon acquired a reputation as a “hot” aircraft and was given the nickname “Widowmaker.” The problem was rectified in later versions by fitting longer wings at the sacrifice of some of the Marauder’s speed.
What is the oldest bomber still in service?
The Boeing B-52 Stratofortress is an American long-range, subsonic, jet-powered strategic bomber. The B-52 was designed and built by Boeing, which has continued to provide support and upgrades. It has been operated by the United States Air Force (USAF) since the 1950s.
What planes had a tail gunner?
United States
- Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress – heavy bomber; fixed tailgun position from the B-17E version onwards.
- Boeing B-29 Superfortress – heavy bomber.
- Boeing B-47 Stratojet – Cold War heavy bomber.
- Boeing B-50 Superfortress – Cold War heavy bomber.
- Boeing B-52 Stratofortress – Cold War heavy bomber.
What WW2 planes had a tail gunner?
Did the B-24 have a tail gunner?
Only the rear tail gunner position on the plane was manned by a crewmember. The B-24 originated in a 1938 request by the Air Corps for Consolidated Aircraft to produce B-17s.
What was the crew of a B-25?
Technical Specifications
| First flight |
Aug. 19, 1940 |
| Power plant |
Two 1,700-hp Wright Cyclone supercharged 14-cylinder radial engines, driving 12-foot-7-inch full-feathering, constant-speed Hamilton Standard three-bladed props |
| Speed |
In excess of 300 miles per hour |
| Crew |
Pilot, co-pilot, bombardier, radio operator, gunner |
What happened to the Doolittle B-25 that landed in Russia?
York, to lead them to a British embassy in Iran. The five, with the help of British diplomats in Mashhad, made their way to India and got a flight to the United States. The B-25 aircraft was kept by the Soviets, and was scrapped in the 1950s.
How many B-25 are left?
Today, there are only four surviving B-25H-NA bombers. Currently, just one of those, “Barbie III” SN 43-4106 is airworthy. Only one of the remaining 3, “Dog Daize” SN 43-4999, still has the B-25H nose. SN 43-4432 is currently in restoration, but has a B-25J nose.
What is the B-25 famous for?
The Doolittle Raid’s B-25s were the only aircraft to bomb Tokyo until 1944, when B-29 Superfortresses began operating from the Mariana Islands. The B-25 bomber soldiered in every theater of war, excelling in multiple roles, chiefly as a ground-attack aircraft later in the war.
Which is better B-17 or B-24?
The B-24 was a faster plane having a greater range and payload capacity. However, in the ETO, the B-24 operated with the B-17 which constrained the aircraft’s operating speed. The B17 was a sedate aircraft and placed fewer demands on the flight deck crew. The B-17 was also an easier aircraft to fly in formation.
What was the difference between a B-25 and a B 26?
While the B-26 may be frowned upon in some circles at home, the boys here prefer it to the B-25 every time. The B-26 has a better bomb load, more range, is faster, more manoeuvrable and stands up much better in a crack-up.
Why was the B-24 difficult to fly?
But the B-24 was more difficult to fly, with heavy control forces and poor formation-flying characteristics. The positioning of the fuel tanks also made the plane prone to fire. The high fuselage-mounted wings also made it more difficult to survive crash landings on land or water.
Was the B-29 a failure?
B-29s were judged a failure in their original roles as conventional high-altitude daylight strategic bombers. They were much more successful as low-altitude night bombers. However, the use of B-29s as the world’s first nuclear bombers likely muted more intense criticism of the program.
Is the b1 better than the B-52?
The B-1 is the most lethal jet made. It can carry 24 Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM), four more than its legacy father, the B-52.
Why is the B-2 bomber so feared?
Its low-observable, or “stealth,” characteristics give it the unique ability to penetrate an enemy’s most sophisticated defenses and threaten its most valued, and heavily defended, targets.
What is the most advanced bomber in the world?
