The
B-25
Mitchell made the first U.S. air strike
against the Japanese mainland on April 28, 1942.
The aircraft did score a combat victory before that when on
December 24, 1941 one
was credited with the sinking of a Japanese
submarine.
The medium bomber was named
after General Billy Mitchell, one of the earliest proponents of air
power.
Its pilots appreciated the aircraft for its predictable
handling, and ground crews appreciated its low maintenance.
The B-25 Mitchell was North American Aircraft's
first mass manufactured warplane. Its design made it relatively easy
to produce and simple to maintain.
One of
the most versatile U. S. aircraft of World War II, B-25 Mitchell
missions included strafing, low and medium altitude bombing,
training, anti shipping, and reconnaissance.
In the South Pacific, the aircraft was especially effective as a
low altitude bomber. When used by the Pacific 5th Air Force, it was
armed with a 75 mm cannon and four .50 cal. machine guns in the
nose.
It had an additional four .50 cal. machine guns in blisters
along side of the nose, two in the aircraft waist, two in a dorsal
turret and two in the tail.
The B-25 Mitchell could carry 3,000 lbs. of bombs in its belly,
and four rockets under each wing.
In
addition to the U.S. Army Air Corps, the U.S. Navy and numerous U.S.
Allies all used the B-25 Mitchell twin engine bomber.
Demand by U.S. Allies for the B-25 Mitchell was so great that U.S. forces
never had more than about 2,700 aircraft deployed.
When WW II ended, the B-25 Mitchell was used primarily as a
trainer. Flight schools appreciated the easy ground handling of the
aircraft due to its wide spread main landing gear and steady in
flight handling.
Some post-war aircraft were used by the U.S.
military as VIP transports until they were eventually retired in May
of 1960.
Over 9,950 B-25
Mitchell aircraft of all models were manufactured.
$96,000
medium bomber
six
Wright R-2600
2 x 1,850
hp. ea.
52' 11"
67' 6"
21,120 lbs.
41,800 lbs.
12 x
.50 cal.
6,000 lbs.
230 mph.
275 mph.
950 fpm
25,000
feet
2,700 miles
1941
The B-25 Mitchell from Top Flite is a ARF of all wood construction with a 88 1/2" wingspan and 70 1/2" length. Engines can be from .46 to .50 2C or .70 4C. Weight is about 18 lbs. Transporting a large rc model to the airfield is eased with the B-25 Mitchell by Top Flite, available from Hobbico and other retailers. The wings outside of the engines can be removed for easy transportation. The B-25 Mitchell will lift off the runway once sufficient air is passing over its wings without any elevator input. If your B-25 Mitchell is set up with both props turning in the same direction, be prepared to use some rudder to counter engine torque during takeoff.
B-25 Mitchell
Greg Hahn and his Top Flite B-25 Mitchell.
Flying the B-25 Mitchell
The B-25 Mitchell is somewhat sensitive to balancing at its center of gravity. Having it too far to the rear will make it extremely sensitive to elevator input. You can fly the B-25 Mitchell using just ailerons to turn, but mixing in rudder with the ailerons results in more scale-like maneuvers. Even the smallest engines that are recommended will power the B-25 Mitchell to much faster than scale speeds in level flight. Slightly less than half throttle produces the most realistic speeds.
Maneuverability is surprisingly nimble for a large aircraft like the B-25 Mitchell. It is possible to fly it more like a fighter than a bomber, if you should choose to do so. However, the B-25 Mitchell is a beautiful model to fly exactly as it was intended. Making diving, low level "bomb" runs can be pretty exciting with the B-25 Mitchell! Although the B-25 Mitchell does not have flaps, it still slows down nicely for landings. There is no hint of the aircraft dropping a wing as power is reduced before setting down on the runway. However, it is best to keep up moderate speed until after your turn on to final because the B-25 Mitchell responds very slowly to control inputs at lower speeds. Flying the B-25 Mitchell is an adventure. The sound of its twin engines is music to the ears, and being able to fly the great looking aircraft is a thrill.
The B-25 Mitchell from NitroPlanes has a 71" wingspan with a length of 55". It can be powered by a pair of .52 two cycle, or .70 four cycle engines. The B-25 Mitchell is available in silver or green paint schemes. All up weight is a little over 9 lbs.
The 16.8 foot wingspan B-25 Mitchell built by Jack Uhl was made from enlarged Ziroli plans and weighs 165 lbs. Power is by Husky 7.3 cc engines.
B-25 Mitchell
B-25 Mitchell from Nick Ziroli Plans.
The B-25 Mitchell from Nick Ziroli Plans is available in two sizes. There is a 101" wing span B-25 Mitchell that can be powered by 23 cc gas or 1.08 glow engines. The giant scale 118" wingspan B-25 Mitchell needs 38 cc gas engines for power.
B-25 Mitchell
Wowplanes B-25 Mitchell.
The B-25 Mitchell from Wowplanes pictured above was built from their kit. It is a foamy with a 55" wingspan and 44" length for 480 size motors. Weight is around 64 oz.
Huayu Hobby Limited, produces a B-25 Mitchell. It is a RTF EPS foamy that comes with brushless motors, has a 53" wingspan, and is 41" long. Weight is around 4 lbs.
Shenzhen Model-Fans Electronic Co., Limited, manufacturers a B-25 Mitchell. It has a 53" wingspan and the same length, weight, and specifications as above.
Luoyang Iceage Aeromodelling makes a B-25 Mitchell. The ARF has a 71" wingspan and weighs around 9 1/4 lbs.
American Eagle has a 109" wingspan B-25 Mitchell. The kit that can be powered by 1.08 - 1.40 2C, 1.20 - 1.50 4C glow or 23 cc - 40 cc gas engines.
Kondor Model Products has a B-25 Mitchell for sale. It is a ARF that has a wingspan of 95" and weighs around 20 lbs. The B-25 Mitchell fuselage is made from epoxy, with balsa wings standard and epoxy wings optional. Retractable landing gear are another available option.
B-25 Mitchell
B-25 Mitchell from Hobby Lobby.
Hobby-Lobby's B-25 Mitchell is a radio ready EPO foamy that includes retracts. Wingspan is 53", length is 41", and weight is about 4 lbs.
Dongguan Hongying Crafts Co., Ltd., wants to sell their B-25 Mitchell. It is a ARF. However, no information is given about wingspan, length, or weight. The B-25 Mitchell is powered by brushless motors.
Guangzhou Co., produces a B-25 Mitchell. The wingspan is 60" and power can come from .15 to .25 two cycle engines or their electric motor equivalent.
ESM Producing came out with a B-25 Mitchell with a wingspan of 95". It needs .91 four strokes for power. The B-25 Mitchell comes with an epoxy fuselage and b/u wings.
Wing Mfg. Co. produces the B-25 Mitchell. The kit builds to a 84" wingspan and 64" length with a weight of around 14 1/2 lbs. The B-25 Mitchell fuselage is made from balsa and wings are balsa over foam. Engines can be from .40 to .60 2C or .48 to .90 4C.
BH Models B-25 Mitchell features a wingspan of 62" and is 48" long. You can power it with .25 to .32 2C engines or their electric motor equivalents. Weight is around 4 lbs.
The B-25 Mitchell by Raidentech has a wing span of 71" and can be powered by engines or electrically.
Yiwu Yunfeng Crafts Co., Ltd., produces a B-25 Mitchell. It has a wingspan of 60" with a length of 46". Power is from outrunner motors.
The B-25 Mitchell by Shantou Mfg. Co., comes with a 60" wingspan and weighs around 5 lbs.
Xinze Technology Co., Ltd, makes a B-25 Mitchell. The wingspan is 70" and length is 50". Weight is around 8 lbs.
The Jack Devine Models B-25 Mitchell comes as a kit. The wingspan is 106" and length is 83". Recommended engines are G23 - G26. Weight is around 23 lbs.
There's a B-25 Mitchell from Hangar 9. It comes with a 81" wingspan and 63" length. Construction is from wood. Power can come from .36 to .40 two cycle engines or equivalent electric motors. Weight is about 15 lbs.
Guillows has a B-25 Mitchell. Its a kit with a wingspan of just 28". Engines are from .020 -.049."
Blackhorse Models produces a B-25 Mitchell. Wingspan is 62 1/2" and length is 48 1/2". From .25 to .32 2C engines or equivalent electric motors can power the 6 lb. model.
RC-Royal. com has B-25 Mitchell plans. Wing span is 71", length is 54", construction is all wood, and weight is about 8 1/2 lbs. You will need from .40 to .60 2C or .52 to .60 4C engines for power.
Flying Styro makes a B-25 Mitchell. It is a foamy with a wingspan of 48" and a length of 37". Speed 400 size motors can power it.
We have seen a B-25 Mitchell from Royal Products on eBay and RC Groups as plans. It builds to a 67.5" wingspan and 52" length with a weight of about 8 1/2 lbs. Engines can range from .40 to .46 two cycle or .52 to .60 four cycle.
Dare Hobby's B-25 Mitchell is an all wood kit with a wingspan that is 42" and a length that is 33 1/2". Power comes from electric motors.
Tom Blackstone has the B-25 Mitchell that comes as plans. It has a wingspan of 95" and length of 72". A Saito 100 engine is recommended to power the approximately 21 lb. model.
Fly-Model Factory manufacturers a B-25 Mitchell. Wingspan is 71" and length is 52". The power recommended comes from .52 four stroke engines. Weight is around 9 1/2 lbs.
If you are looking for a B-25 Mitchell made from Nick Ziroli plans, check out Kit Cutters various kits. Their 71" wingspan B-25 Mitchell is from Sid Morgan Plans.
Another B-25 Mitchell is made from Nexus Plans. It has a 76" wingspan and uses .40 size engines.
There is a B-25 Mitchell from Dan Palmer Plans. Wingspan is 67 1/2" and length is 53". You will need a pair of .25 engines to power the approximately 6 lb. aircraft.
Cleveland Models plans B-25 Mitchell have wingspans of 27", 37", 54 1/2", 73", 109", 145 1/2" and 218".
Richard Ferrier has
three-view drawings for several B-25 Mitchell models.
Richard Ferrier has three-view drawings for several B-25 Mitchell models.
Michael Montafiore has a 102" wingspan B-25 Mitchell from modified Nick Ziroli plans. O.S. 1.20 4 C engines power it. Weight is around 25 lbs.
The B-25 Mitchell built by Henry Rumpler has a 95" wingspan with power coming from AXI 41130 20 motors. Weight is about 19 lbs.
David Mountjoy's B-25 Mitchell wingspan is 100". It uses RCV 1.20 engines to haul its roughly 32 lbs. through the sky.
Hugh Garrison's 120" wingspan B-25 Mitchell flies with G 28 engines while John Richards B-25 Mitchell is electric powered. John's B-25 Mitchell has a 110" wingspan with motors by Plettenberg. It weighs in at around 30 lbs.
Dick Lawrence has a B-25 Mitchell with a 112" wingspan that uses fiberglass construction. It weighs 35 lbs. and has G 38 power.
Ian Smith's scratch built B-25 Mitchell has a wingspan of 150" and Q 52 engines.
Lenny Sayer flies a B-25 Mitchell with a wingspan of 101".
Frank Benson's B-25 Mitchell was built from aTop Flite kit. It has a 88" wingspan.
If you have have a favorite B-25 Mitchell please email us.
North American B-25 Mitchell
