World War Photos

B-25C 41-12633

The B-25C marked a significant milestone in the development of the Mitchell bomber series, becoming the first variant to be produced in large numbers and widely used during World War II. Key features, developments, and operational details of the B-25C:

Production and Designation:

• Designation: B-25C
• North American Model Numbers: NA-82, NA-90, NA-93, NA-94, NA-96
• U.S. Navy/Marine Designation: PBJ-1C (60 units were acquired by the US Navy)
• British Designation: Mitchell II
• Total Number Built: 1,625 aircraft

Production and Delivery Timeline:

• First Flight: November 9, 1941
• First Delivery: January 1942
• Last Delivery: May 1943

Technical Specifications:

• Powerplants: Powered by two Wright R-2600-13 engines, each producing 1,700 horsepower.
• Maximum Speed: 284 mph at 15,000 feet.
• Initial Rate of Climb: 1,375 feet per minute.
• Service Ceiling: 21,200 feet.
• Maximum Combat Range: 1,525 miles with 974 gallons of fuel and a 3,200-pound bomb load, though range varied based on fuel and payload.
• Empty Weight: 20,300 pounds.
• Maximum Take-off Weight: 33,500 pounds.

Key Features and Improvements:

1. Engine Upgrade: The B-25C used the Wright R-2600-13 engine, which, while not offering more horsepower than the earlier R-2600-9, was fitted with Holley carburetors equipped with air filtering units.

2. Fuel System Enhancements: The fuel capacity was increased to 974 gallons starting with the B-25C-NA, 41-12817.

3. Structural and Safety Upgrades:

   • Fixed Tail Skid: Replaced the retractable tail skid with a fixed fairing under the aft fuselage.
   • Emergency Systems: An emergency hydraulic landing gear extension system was added in case of main system failure.
   • High Pressure Brake System: Upgraded from the low-pressure system used in earlier versions.
   • Bomb Bay Modifications: Redesigned bomb racks with A-2 electrical releases.

4. Armament Adjustments:

   • Nose Armament: From B-25C-5-NA, 42-53332, a .50-caliber flexible gun replaced the .30-caliber weapon in the nose, and a fixed .50-caliber machine gun was added on the right side of the nose for the pilot to fire.
   • Under-wing Bomb Racks: Installed as a standard feature starting with B-25C-1-NA, 41-13039, allowing for the carrying and launching of 2,000-pound torpedoes.
   • Strafer Modifications: Some B-25Cs in the Pacific had additional .50-caliber machine guns installed in the nose for low-level strafing, with bomb sights removed and strap-on gun packs added to the fuselage sides.

5. Flame Dampening Exhausts:

   • Finger Style Flame Dampening Exhaust Collector: Installed starting with B-25C-5-NA, 42-53332.
   • Clayton “S” Type Flame Dampening Stacks: Fitted to all fourteen cylinders starting with B-25C-15-NA, 42-32383.

6. Defensive Armament Upgrades:

   • Waist and Tail Guns: Some B-25Cs were retrofitted with .50-caliber waist and tail guns, especially in the field, often in response to combat needs. Tail gun installations varied, with some resembling the configurations of later variants like the B-25H and B-25J.

Operational History:

• Training and Navy Use:

  • AT-24C/TB-25C: Some B-25Cs were used for training under the designation AT-24C, later changed to TB-25C after the war.
  • PBJ-1C: The Navy acquired 60 B-25Cs, designating them as PBJ-1C, and they were used for various roles, including coastal patrols.

• International Use:

  • Allied Nations: B-25Cs were supplied to several Allied nations, including the United Kingdom (designated Mitchell II), Netherlands, France, Australia, and China.