The B-25 is perhaps the most successful American medium bomber of World War II.  It served in every theater of the war, with all branches of the U.S. military and with several allied air forces.  It is perhaps best known as the type of aircraft flown by the Doolittle Raiders from the aircraft carrier USS Hornet in early 1942.  B-25s served as both traditional bombers and as gunships with large numbers of machine guns, and in one version a 75mm cannon in the nose.  The B-25J returned to the standard “glass” nose for use as a bomber.  However, many were converted to a “solid” gunship nose and used for very low level attacks.  The Mitchell continued to serve in the U.S. Air Force until as late as 1960 as staff transports and trainers.

Service History:

Built by North American Aviation, Kansas City, Kansas and delivered to the USAAF on April 11, 1944.

Apr 1944         To Douglas Modification Center, Kansas City, Kansas for installation of combat equipment.

May 1944        To Hunter AAF, Georgia.

Jun 1944          To 11^th Air Force, Elmendorf AAF, Alaska, via Great Falls AAF, Montana.  Exactly what service this aircraft saw in Alaska is not clear.  The 11^th Air Force historian’s office indicates that it served with the 28^th Bomb Group, 77^th Bomb Squadron at Lexi Point Field on the island of Attu.  However, other evidence including photographs and the memories of Major General Harry A. Johnson indicates that he appropriated the aircraft for use as his personal transport and that he retained the use of the aircraft for the remainder of his military career.

Manufacturer
North American

Markings
11^th Air Force, Elmendorf AAF, Alaska, 1945

Designation
B-25J

Serial Number
43-27712

Jul 1946          170^th AAF Base Unit, Brooks AAF, San Antonio, Texas.

Feb 1947         Converted to TB-25J.

Jul 1947          To 366^th AF Base Unit, Brooks AFB, Texas.

Jul 1948          2463^rd Base Service Squadron, Offutt AFB, Nebraska.

Sep 1948         2466^th Air Reserve Training Squadron, Stout AFB, Indiana.

Nov 1949        4406^th Air Base Squadron, Marshall AFB, Kansas.

Dec 1949         Mobile Air Materiel Area, Brookley AFB, Alabama.

Mar 1950        56^th Fighter-Interceptor Wing, Selfridge AFB, Michigan.

Sep 1950         10^th Air Force Headquarters, Selfridge AFB, Michigan.

Apr 1955         Converted to TB-25N.

Dec 1957         2242^nd Air Reserve Flying Center, Selfridge AFB, Michigan.

May 1958        Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona for storage.

Aug 1960        Dropped from inventory by transfer to school or museum.

1972                Loaned to Pima Air & Space Museum by the National Museum of the United States Air Force.