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B-25J-1 Mitchell
B-25J-1 Mitchell
Note: Base stats only (no upgrade installed)
Rank II (2)
Battle Rating 3.3
Type Medium Bomber
Maximum Speed on height 442 km/h
Maximum Altitude 8,500 m
Turn Time 42.7 seconds
Rate of Climb 8 m/s
Takeoff Run 877 m
Armament 5x 12.7 mm Browning machine guns (2000 rds)
3x Turret: 1x 12.7 mm Browning machine gun (800 rds)
2x Turret: 2x 12.7 mm Browning machine guns (2000 rds)

4x 113 kg bombs
8x 113 lbs bombs
12x 45 kg bombs
8x 45 kg bombs & 4x 113 kg bombs
8x 45 kg bombs & 2x 227 lbs bombs
4x 227 kg bombs
10x 45 kg bombs & 1x 454 kg bomb
3x 454 kg bomb

Burst Mass 2.69 kg/s

The North American B-25J-1 Mitchell, is an American medium bomber currently sitting at Rank 2 in the American line with an upfront cost of 55,000 Lion.

Design, Development & Operational History[]

The B-25 was named in honor of General William "Billy" Mitchell (a pioneer of U.S. military aviation). He was a massive advocate of aircraft carriers and naval bombers, which would eventually get him demoted from Brigader General to Colonel, and eventually would get him court-martialed. Approximately 11,000 of the aircraft were produced with the majority equipping US services while also being lend leased to Britain and the Soviet Union. It saw service in every theater of World War II.

The B-25J was the last variant built. Previous models had the glazed nose cone replaced with a metal dome and eight 12.7 mm machines guns added in the navigator/bombardiers position. This variant returned to the glazed nose and the medium bomber role; from what had essentially become a ground attack aircraft. The B25J-1, was capable of carrying a single 2,000 Lb bomb, although this was rarely done operationally.

The aircraft became best known for it's role in the American strike on Japan after Pearl Harbor. Lieutenant Colonel James "Jimmy" Doolittle led a carrier-based raid using sixteen B-25B's from the USS Hornet. The aircraft were launched from the USS Hornet and made strikes; using small bomb loads, due to the distance needed to fly and 'escape' to China. Unfortunately very few of the aircraft actually made any semblance of a landing on the Chinese coast, with most pilots either crash-landing or having thier crews bail out, but most lived and were picked up by Chinese guerrillas. However, 1 bomber made its way to the Soviet Union, where as per international laws, the bomber and the crews were to be interned for the rest of the war, but the crew was allowed to leave while making it look like an escape.

Tips from pilots[]

  • When looking at the Mitchell, it appears to have a very useful rear firing turret mounted onto to the end of the fuselage. In practice, this is the first thing an attacker's bullets will hit, killing the gunner and rendering the gun useless.
  • To compensate for the point explained above, you will need to pitch upward for your top mounted turret to fire at your attacker.
  • If you are being chased by a fighter it is often a good idea to fly away at full throttle, perhaps pitched down slightly to increase your speed. You can outrun attackers from time to time.
  • As with the tip above, while running, it may be a good idea to attempt to snipe the enemies engine. This may give you a larger chance at escaping.
  • Do not expose the belly of the aircraft. There are no turrets there or capable of moving there.
  • The B-25J-1 can dodge AAA fire well. Just keep rolling your wings and/or fishtailing.
  • Try to bomb bases first then return to your airfield.

Skins[]

1 B25J-1 321st bomber reg

321st Bomber Regiment

Bicolor olive-green pattern with insignia of 321st bomber regiment, Italy, 1945, requires 13.65 tons of explosive to be dropped.

Unicolor olive-green pattern with RAAF insignia, requires 19.5 tons of explosive to be dropped.

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