PlacesPages: Wings of Freedom: North American B-25J Mitchell

Wednesday, June 4, 2014

Wings of Freedom: North American B-25J Mitchell

B-25J Mitchell in Aurora, Oregon on June 10, 2007

The B-25 is a medium bomber introduced just before World War II, and is smaller than the B-17 and B-24, which are heavy bombers.

B-25J Mitchell in Aurora, Oregon on June 9, 2007

It is named after Billy Mitchell, a controversial U.S. Army general who promoted the creation of the Air Force after World War I. The B-25 is the only U.S. warplane named after a specific person.

B-25J Mitchell in Aurora, Oregon on June 10, 2007

The B-25 was designed for medium altitude bombing runs. It is best know for its use in the successful Doolittle Raid of April 1942, when 16 B-25s were launched from the aircraft carrier USS Hornet in America's first mission to strike the Japanese mainland. The bombers successfully struck Japan without any of them being shot down, though due to low fuel all but one crashed in China (the other landed in Russia). 71 of the 80 men survived the mission and captivity to return to the United States.

B-25J Mitchell in Aurora, Oregon on June 10, 2007

Though designed for medium altitude bombing, B-25s were also used for low altitude bombing and strafing runs.

B-25J Mitchell in Aurora, Oregon on June 10, 2007

Some of the B-25Js carried as many as 18 .50 caliber machine guns, including up to eight in the nose, making them the most heavily-armed World War II bombers.

B-25J Mitchell in Aurora, Oregon on June 10, 2007

After being built and used during World War II, the Collings Foundation's B-25J was put into storage until 1959, when it was sold into civilian ownership. In 1962, it was converted into a fire tanker.

B-25J Mitchell in Aurora, Oregon on June 10, 2007

It was acquired by the Collings Foundation in 1985, and was restored decorated as Hoosier Honey.

B-25J Mitchell in Aurora, Oregon on June 10, 2007

In 2002, it was restored again and repainted as Tondelayo, a B-25D that served in the Pacific Theatre as part of the 345th Bombardment Group, also known as the "Air Apaches."

B-25J Mitchell in Aurora, Oregon on June 10, 2007

Tondelayo was one of three B-25Ds that attacked and sank an enemy freighter in the South Pacific in World War II. During the battle, one of the Tondelayo's engines was shot out, and the Tondelayo fought off 50 Japanese fighters for over an hour with only one engine, shooting down five of the enemy fighters as it escaped, while the other two American bombers were shot down. The Tondelayo's crew was awarded Silver Stars and the Distinguished Unit Citation, while the Tondelayo itself was repaired and returned to service.

B-25J Mitchell in Aurora, Oregon on June 10, 2007