B-25 "Maid in the Shade" Airbase Arizona
Description:
Base:
Mesa, AZ
Website:
| B-25 Specs | |
|---|---|
| Role | Medium Bomber |
| Manufacturer | North American Aviation |
| Introduced | 1941 |
| Power | 2 × Wright R-2600-35 Twin Cyclone 14-cylinder air-cooled radial engine, 1,700 hp each |
| Length | 52 ft 11 in |
| Height | 16 ft 4 in |
| Wingspan | 67 ft 7 in |
| Range | 1,350 mi |
B-25J Mitchell “Maid in the Shade” was built in early 1944. She’s very rare – one of 34 B-25Js still flying. Nearly 10,000 were produced.
Used mainly as a low altitude strafe and skip bomber. Was used in America’s first large-scale bombing offensive in the Philippines - sunk 8 ships and shot down 5 planes.
Combat History – Based out of Serraggia Airbase, Corsica from Nov 1 – Dec 31, 1944.
Assigned to:
- 57th Bomb Wing o 319th Bomb Wing o 437th Squadron
- Combat missions flown:
- 13 over Italy
- 2 over Yugoslavia
The North American B-25 Mitchell was among the most versatile bombers of World War II. Built by North American Aviation and named for airpower pioneer William "Billy" Mitchell, the twin-engine aircraft served in every theater of the War.
The B-25 became famous for its role in the Doolittle Raid, but its impact went far beyond that mission. U.S. and Allied forces used it for bombing, strafing, reconnaissance, and patrol missions around the world. Nearly 10,000 were built, and many continued flying for decades after the war—earning the Mitchell a lasting place in aviation history.
Adaptable and rugged, the Mitchell evolved into numerous variants throughout the war, including heavily armed gunships and reconnaissance models. U.S. Marine Corps versions, known as PBJ-1s, operated from island bases across the Pacific. Whether striking shipping at low level or supporting ground troops, the B-25 proved it could do just about anything asked of it—and do it well.
