North American B-25 Mitchell Bomber
     The B-25 medium bomber was one of America's most famous airplanes of WW II.  It was the type used by General Doolittle for the Tokyo Raid on April 18, 1942. Subsequently, it saw duty in every combat area being flown by the Dutch, British, Chinese, Russians and Australians in addition to our own U.S. forces. Although the airplane was originally intended for level bombing from medium altitudes, it was used extensively in the Pacific area for bombing Japanese airfields from treetop level and for strafing and skip bombing enemy shipping.  More than 9,800 B-25s were built during WW II. 
     Early in its development, it was named after General William "Billy" Mitchell, an early proponent of air power who was court martialed for his public advocacy of air power.  At his trial, he predicted that the United States fleet at Pearl Harbor would be attack by the Japanese Air Force.  He was thrown out of the Air Corps for his remarks.  After December 7, 1941 attack, the United States Congress reinstated him, promoted him to general and awarded him the Congressional Medal of Honor, but it was too little too late.  Mitchell had died, a broken man.  t means to restore it, President Roosevelt authorized a mission unique in military history.  The B-25 was designed as a land-based bomber, but General Doolittle trained his pilots to take off in a very short distance.  Soon the planes and pilots were loaded aboard the aircraft carrier Hornet and began steaming for Japan.  The task force was sighted, so the plane were prematurely launched 800 miles from target rather than the 600 miles that had been intended.  All 16 planes  reached the Japanese islands, dropped their bombs on oil stores, factory areas, and military installations, and then headed out across the East China Sea.  When the news of the raid was released, American morale zoomed from the depths to which it had plunged following Japan's successes. It also caused the Japanese to transfer back to the home islands fighter units which could have been used against the Allies. In comparison to the B-29 attacks against Japan two years later, the Tokyo Raid was a token effort. However, it was an example of brilliant tactics.
     The Smithsonian's "Carol Jean" will eventually be on display at the new Udvar-Hazy Center opening in 2003 at Dulles Airport.  

 

B-25J Mitchell "Bats Delta Hell"
A beautiful new model from our Premier Series.  This magnificent model is hand carved from Philippine mahogany then carefully sanded, sealed and hand painted.  1/35th scale.  21.5" wingspan by 18" length.    No. AEB3D-BD.  Only $174.95
B-25J Mitchell "Show Me" B-25J Mitchell "Falcon"
More display models from our Premier Series.
1/35th scale.  21.5" wingspan by 18" length. 
B-25J Mitchell "Show Me"
  No. AEB3D-SM.  Only $174.90
B-25J Mitchell "Falcon"
  No. AEB3D-FA.  Only $174.90
B-25J Mitchell "Executive Suite"
  No. AEB3D-ES.  Only $174.90 
B-25J Mitchell "Executive Suite"

B-25 Mitchell "Boogie Man"
From our Deluxe Series.  1/44th scale.  17" wingspan by 12.5" long.
  No. AEB3D-DX.  Only $139.95 

B-25s from out Standard Series
1/48th scale.  16.5" wingspan by 13.5" long. 

B-25 Mitchell, O.D. Green
  No. AEB3D-S1.  Only $119.95
B-25 Mitchell "Silver Zebra"
  No. AEB3D-S2.  Only $119.95 
 
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