B-25 Mitchell History

Many years ago in a discussion on Mitch the Witch I posted the following:

Mitchells in Central and South Pacific- ' 43-44

December 8 2007 at 9:56 AM Phil Marchese (Login philmarchese)

HyperScale Forums from IP address 75.75.163.60



I recently completed a model of a 1945 version of the B-25G as used by the 41st BG in the final two months of the Air Offensive, Japan campaign. That plane was a NA96 that had gone thru at least four major modification programs. Pictures of the build were posted in the Monogram Bomber Build forum. I've repeated two here from phase 9 of the build (right/left).



My model is shown after the HAD refurbishment done for the 41 BG in early 1945. It has the J2* nose (8-gun), rocket racks and increased tail ammunition capacity (two cans). Some also had an armored waist window insert.



My model also shows the forked ILS antenna above the cockpit and single wing tip lings. Both these feature appeared on later blocks of the B-25G and B-25D (NA100). Earlier blocks did not have the system and had wing tip lights in pairs, above and below each wing tip.



The configuration has its origin in the NAA Kansas City 2081 change. NAA KC was under contract for 2080 B-25D and by the 2nd Quarter of 1943 was well into the B-25J design and production conversion planning. However the projected delivery was December, 1943. The AAF wanted an interim armament upgrade prior to the 2081 change. So circa May/June 1943 directed NAA to modify existing and future B-25D (NA87) and B-25G to the interim configuration.



The bombardier version became the B-25D2 series (not block, i.e. no dash) while the interim G pulled from any NA96 C-20 to G-10 block became the G-12. The key differences in the interim configuration were:



the unique tail gunners canopy with a single 50 cal. MG in the lower position;

unstaggered, enclosed waist windows similar to the 2081 change design but with symmetrical fairings;

and side package guns with 2 x 50 cal. MG each side.



During the NA100 contract for the last of the 2080 B-25D, the D2 configuration was produced on the assembly line rather than at the adjacent Fairfax modification Center. Martin Omaha’s modification center probably participated in the G-12 modification program, many B-25G IARCs histories indication passage thru the Center.



The G-12 carried the package guns only starboard (none port side outboard the cannon breech). The package blister was hinged and did not have to be removed to service the weapons. This was an improvement over the less aerodynamic shell-type developed in the SWPA and used by the FEAF**.



Many G-12 had been in the Central Pacific with the 75mm cannon nose since October 1943. HAD removed the plexiglas waist enclosures from those planes and added wind deflectors. The Central Pacific soon moved to an open tail position as it had done on its Liberators and removed the final section of the tail gunner's canopy which enclosed the rear face. In the process the MG was raised onto a pole mount and an ammunition can was mounted in the canopy fairing. The waist and tail changes were also done for the VII BC B-25D2 and many USMC PBJ1-D.



Many of the 75mm nosed B-25G-12 had the disruptive shade 42 blotching on the rear spine and leading and trailing edges of the flight surfaces.



The South Pacific B-25D2 and G-12 tended to keep the tail canopy complete but double the lower armament to 2 x 50 cal MG's. Waist windows were sometimes open but tended to remain enclosed also.



Later USMC 612 BOMBRON upgraded its PBJ1-D similar to 1945 HAD upgrade. The Squadron's D2 had left the States with the interim armament and nose mounted radar. HAD/EWA modified the open waist and tail. Now the top turret was removed from the mid-dorsal position and rocket capability added. The finish was changed from the two tone USN scheme to the Gloss Sea blue. The prescribed 20" night fighter national insignia was applied to the conversions.



When building the D2, omit the pilot exterior armor plate. It was not standard on the D2 configuration. Note that G and H carried only pilot side plates.



In summary, the four phase modifications shown on my model can be replicated in different combinations to build many Central Pacific and South Pacific B-25D2, B-25G-12 and PBJ1-D planes from the AAF 41 and 42 BGs or from USMC VMB 612***.



Footnotes:



1. * series (again, not block) for any B-25J with the nose modification applied)

2. Many surviving 42 BG B-25G-12 were converted to commerce strafers added to MG's to the nose, removing the 75 mm cannon and adding a SWPA gun package to the pilot side.

3. *** Some VMB night intruders also carried the J2 nose kit, but I have not confirmed a D2 conversion with the J2 nose in either AAF or USMC units.



This message has been edited by philmarchese from IP address 75.75.163.60 on Dec 8, 2007 10:15 AM

This message has been edited by philmarchese from IP address 75.75.163.60 on Dec 8, 2007 10:14 AM

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This message has been edited by philmarchese from IP address 75.75.163.60 on Dec 8, 2007 10:08 AM

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combat configuration

December 8 2007, 12:42 PM Phil Marchese (Login philmarchese

75.75.163.60

38th BG J2 strafer

Photo Gallery

Photo Gallery Front row, third from left, M/Sgt John S. Diehl (Bedford, Pa),armament man on “Filthy Lil” for 2 years in New Guinea.  Moreidentifications anyone?  (photo courtesy of John Diehl’s son, M. Diehl).

B-25 commerce destroyer, 38th BG
Photo Gallery

Photo Gallery Front row, third from left, M/Sgt John S. Diehl (Bedford, Pa),armament man on “Filthy Lil” for 2 years in New Guinea.  Moreidentifications anyone?  (photo courtesy of John Diehl’s son, M. Diehl).

The NA -100 B-25D2- 25/35 in MTO
Rare, 20 th century findings Confirmed!!!

Link failed,and removed. Correction in work.

TBC

Meanwhile:
NA-96 G mods in theater
42-64531 G, 558 G,
580 G, 584 G, 587G,

TBC

Ok, had to post separately.
The notes says the opposite than what pictures show but confirms two nose guns.9 ELMS are MTO, likely 310th BG.