B-25 Mitchell operating under desert skies

Welcome to this latest edition of our Workbench blog and all the news, updates and modelling exclusives from the fascinating world of Airfix.

Since the first Airfix Spitfire kit was made available back in 1955, building scale model representations of the world's most famous aircraft would go on to become a hobby which captivated millions of people and with it, becoming a significant and enduring feature of our formative years. To this day, creating model representations of aircraft remains a source of fascination for many and therefore continues to inspire manufacturing companies to further add new subject matter to their ranges, whilst at the same time updating existing kits with newly tooled examples of earlier incarnations of the same subject aircraft.

In this latest edition of Workbench, our subject is a classic medium bomber from the Second World War, one which first joined an Airfix range back in 1965, but after inspiring many thousands of builds over the years, was to become the subject of a new tooling project in 2017, the magnificent North American B-25 Mitchell. An aircraft which would only make its first flight after the Second World War had broken out in Europe, we will be seeing why this aircraft was later referred to as the 'Magnificent Medium' and would go on to become one of the most successful Allied attack aircraft of the entire war. By way of a pre-release welcome for the latest incarnation of this kit scheduled to join the range later in the year, we will be featuring the two appealing scheme options included with what will be just the fourth release from this tooling, in addition to discovering why the B-25 Mitchell was in great demand across many Allied air forces during the Second World War.

Fledgling aircraft company with big ambitions

With the B-25 going on to earn such an impressive reputation, it's certainly made all the more impressive in the knowledge that the North American Aviation Company only produced their first military aircraft design in 1937.

Anyone with even the slightest knowledge of aviation history will tell you with some conviction that many of the aircraft which served during the savage air fighting of the Second World War would become some of the most famous machines to ever take to the skies and as a consequence, were also a constant source of fascination for historians and enthusiasts alike. The astonishing rate of aviation development during these six years of conflict would result in aircraft being propelled from basic biplane designs similar to those which contested the Great War, to the highly advanced jet powered aircraft deployed by both Britain and Germany.  

Of the many aircraft which were designed and introduced between these two eras of aviation development, a relatively small number stand out as being particularly significant, aircraft which would make outstanding contributions to the war effort for the air forces they represented. One aircraft type which must be considered in such terms is the North American B-25 Mitchell, a twin engined medium bomber which would become the most heavily produced American aircraft of its type during the Second World War, in addition to being one of the most adaptable and heavily armed aircraft to see wartime combat operations.

The aircraft which would go on to become the B-25 Mitchell was originally developed in an attempt to satisfy a US Air Corps requirement for a new high performance attack bomber in the late 1930s. The North American Aviation company developed their NA-40 design in response to this specification, an aircraft which first flew in January 1939, but ultimately failed to impress officials during flight trials, losing out to the rival aircraft produced by Douglas, their DB-7 (A-20 Havoc). Undeterred, North American designers continued to work on improving their design, convinced that it had all the qualities to succeed as a strike bomber and as a consequence, following the Air Corps issuing a further requirement for a medium bomber in March 1939, their revised NA-62 design was presented as an option.

Now a more mature design, the NA-62 was ordered into production, however, even though the aircraft was now destined for USAAC service, it still underwent continual development throughout production, as the North American designers and engineers were convinced their aircraft could be made even more capable. The most significant performance improvement came ten aircraft into the production run, when stability issues discovered on the first machines demanded a redesign of the outer wing sections. Rather than continue with the constant wing dihedral which was a feature of the earlier machines, designers incorporated a slight wing anhedral outboard of the engine nacelles, a modification which gave the new bomber a distinctive gull-winged appearance when viewed from the front.  With several other improvements added to these early production aircraft, the B-25 soon began to show the great potential its designers knew it possessed and show itself to be a highly effective medium bomber.

The computer rendered images included were all produced by the designer responsible for this newly tooled example of this magnificent aircraft back in 2016/17, using his design files to create these early project visuals.

The new North American bomber was given the name ‘Mitchell’ in honour of Major General William ‘Billy’ Mitchell, a man who was a great champion of air power and a significant figure in the history of the United States Air Force. As an airman serving on the Western Front during the Great War, Mitchell had witnessed the rise of aviation and air power first hand, experiences which convinced him that the aeroplane would play a significant role in any future conflict.  

This strong conviction would bring him into some conflict with senior officials in both the US Army and US Navy, as he vociferously argued against continued spending on expensive battleships, particularly as air power had now rendered them almost obsolete in his opinion. To evidence his opinion, he famously arranged for a series of dramatic demonstrations to take place, where bomber aircraft attacked obsolete warships to prove the vulnerability of these floating leviathans to attack from the air. He followed this up by arguing that all investment that would have been spent on new battleships, should instead be immediately diverted to the production of powerful new aircraft carriers.  History has judged Mitchell something of a visionary in this regard. 

North American's Marvellous Medium

We were going to save this for the scheme review section, but it's just so appealing, we couldn't wait any longer. New box artwork imagery produced in support of this late year addition to the Airfix range.

The role of the medium bomber was to prove vital during the Second World War, with aircraft often required to operate at much lower altitudes in support of ground operations, rather than the high altitude operation mounted by heavier bombers. The effectiveness of the B-25's design had not escaped the attentions of the Royal Air Force during the early months of the war, and they would become an early customer for the bomber, securing significant numbers of aircraft via the crucial Lend-Lease agreement between Britain and America. The first RAF B-25B Mitchells were delivered in August 1941 and were given the British service name Mitchell I, serving with No.111 Operational Training Unit, based in the Bahamas.  

These first aircraft were used exclusively in a flight training and crew familiarisation role, never actually achieving operational status, however the RAF were keen to secure as many of these capable bombers as possible, intended replacements for their ageing Wellingtons and less effective Douglas Bostons. In total, the Royal Air Force would eventually take delivery of almost 900 Mitchell bombers, the vast majority of which would see service during the last two years of the war, and particularly during the period around the Normandy landings in 1944. 

Historically, the Mitchells of the Second Tactical Air Force were amongst the first strike units to transfer to forward operating bases in France and Belgium, as these rugged and capable bombers continued to fly close air support missions for advancing Allied ground forces. The most heavily used variant of the Mitchell in RAF service was the B-25C/D model, of which 538 were received - this variant was referred to as the Mitchell II in British service.  

With regard to the historic reputation of the B-25, perhaps the aircraft's most significant attribute was its versatility and adaptability, and how although it may not have been specifically designed to perform a particular task, it nevertheless took it on and performed it admirably. Whether that be as a low altitude gunship, or VIP transport, the Mitchell proved itself to be an exceptional aeroplane, however, arguably its most famous role was that of carrier borne strike bomber and the aircraft America used to attack the Japanese capital Tokyo, only four months after the Pearl Harbor raid.

Determined to strike at the heart of Japan in following the infamous Japanese naval strike against Pearl Harbor, Lieutenant Colonel Jimmy Doolittle amassed a force of sixteen B-25B Mitchells and their crews for an audacious carrier-borne raid, which on paper at least, had very little chance of achieving success. Undoubtedly, the B-25 Mitchell was not particularly suitable for operations from the relatively short flightdeck of the aircraft carrier USS Hornet, however, it was the only aircraft in service with the range, power and payload and fuel carrying capability to undertake such a specific mission. 

Two more computer rendered images produced from the 2017 North American B-25 Mitchell tooling, our scale tribute to one of the finest combat aircraft of the Second World War.

With all aircraft undergoing modification and having been stripped of most of their defensive armament, all crews would be taking off from the deck of a carrier for the first time as they embarked on this raid, a raid which had absolutely no guarantee of success and indeed of their safety. Nevertheless, they all volunteered for the mission and were all determined to succeed in this important endeavour. Astonishingly, the B-25 Mitchells completed their mission and effectively announced the start of America’s fight back in the Pacific War, whilst at the same time galvanising the American population for the struggles ahead. Undoubtedly, the raid also highlighted the strength and flexibility of the basic B-25 Mitchell design, marking it as one of the most important US aircraft of the Second World War.

Despite the undoubted potential possessed by the North American B-25 Mitchell, it wasn't until the introduction of the C and D models that the aircraft truly began to come of age. Several design modifications transformed the Mitchell into a superlative fighting aeroplane and one which quickly revealed its adroitness for adaptability. The strength of the basic design of the B-25 allowed the aircraft to be used successfully in many roles, accepting modification either in the factory, or in the field.

Differentiating features between C and D models effectively centred around the factory in which they were produced, with C models manufactured in the existing Inglewood, California plant, whilst D model aircraft were produced in a new facility in Kansas City.  Almost four thousand examples of this particular variant of the aircraft were eventually produced, aircraft which would go on to see service across the Pacific Theatre, Europe, North Africa, the Middle East and Italy, Russia, China and with home based US squadrons.

The rugged and reliable Mitchell proved to be extremely popular with crews flying the aircraft in combat, all of whom learned to place their trust in the B-25 and expecting it to get them home safely. Able to withstand a significant amount of battle damage, the Mitchell would be regarded as something of a warhorse, an aircraft that could be relied upon to get the job done, no matter what that job was. Equipped with the advanced Norden bombsight, Mitchell squadrons were charged with undertaking accurate, strategic strike operations in support of ground forces facing particularly stubborn enemy opposition. With its rugged tricycle undercarriage, the B-25 Mitchell was also able to operate from roughly prepared airfields, ensuring it was never stationed too far away from where its services were required.

Arguably the definitive variant(s) of the B-25 Mitchell, the differentiating features between C and D models effectively centred around the factory in which they were produced, with C models manufactured in the existing Inglewood, California plant, whilst D model aircraft were produced in a new facility in Kansas City.

Under usual circumstances, operation of the Mitchell was relatively trouble free for crews, however, these were around a specific set of parameters they had been trained to follow. Engine management was particularly critical, especially during start up, as the massive Wright R-2600 engines needed coaxing to their operating temperatures, with missions quite literally starting on their hard standings for that reason. There was a saying amongst Mitchell crews that if you could taxi a B-25, then you could fly one, probably in reference to this careful engine management and the view a pilot was afforded from the tricycle undercarriage during the taxiing procedure.

The take-off run also required careful throttle management, with pilots obviously needing to keep the aircraft centred on the runway, but always prepared for the drama of an engine failure during this critical phase. Once in the air, Mitchell pilots had access to an autopilot, colloquially referred to as 'Elmer', but something which could provide some respite, particularly when flying over open expanses of water. As with all aircraft and particularly with larger strike aircraft, fuel management also had to be handled professionally during flight operations, as transferring between tanks would require careful trimming of the bomber's flight controls, particularly as the aircraft would normally be maintaining position within a larger formation of other aircraft.

Following the completion of a mission, B-25 pilots had been trained to perform a number of different landing scenarios, from formation landings, to single engine landings and those on roughly prepared fields. 

This next release from our relatively new 1/72nd scale North American B-25 Mitchell tooling will be just the fourth from this beautiful toolset and includes two scheme options to replicate Mitchells operating in rather unusual markings, one operating from French Morocco, with the other based in the Ukraine. Let's take a closer look at both now.

Scheme A - North American B-25C Mitchell, 'OH-7' 41-13207, 445th BS/321st BG USAAF, French Morocco, 1943.

The hard working Mitchells of the MTO were tasked with operating strike missions against a wide variety of enemy targets across North Africa and the Mediterranean, including artillery and anti-aircraft emplacements, command and control infrastructure, shipping, military vehicles and enemy airfields, usually at relatively low altitudes and always under heavy enemy fire. With American air units arriving in North Africa from the summer of 1942, it wouldn't be too long before the B-25 Mitchells of the 321st Bombardment Group joined them, with their aircraft having negotiated the long South Atlantic Ferry Route to get there. With staging points in the West Indies, South America, Ascension Island and Africa, this was a much longer route to fly that the Northern Route which arrived in Scotland and consequently, was significantly more expensive from a fuel perspective. They did, however, avoid facing the full might of the Luftwaffe by not transiting across Europe, as they headed for their new bases in the deserts of North Africa.

These aircraft were prepared for operations under desert skies by having their olive drab upper surfaces overpainted in a sand coloured paint finish, with their undersides benefitting from a lighter grey scheme than usual, however, once Allied advances had taken the B-25s onwards across the wider Mediterranean, additional camouflage mottling was often added to sand coloured aircraft, even though the increasing strength of Allied air power in the region rarely saw them operating without strong fighter protection.

Making their combat introduction on 15th March 1943, the bombers of the 321st BG attacked the airfield at Mezzouna escorted by a large force of P-38 Lightning fighters from the 57th FW. Although all aircraft returned safely to Aïn M'lila, they did encounter ferocious anti-aircraft fire around the target area, something crews knew they would have to get used to and fast!

The unit had its first encounter with enemy fighters whilst engaged in an anti-shipping strike just five days later, which was something else crews would have to get accustomed to. The bomber force was attacked by around 30 Axis fighters operating from their bases in Tunisia, however, the enemy appeared unaware that the Mitchell's defensive armament had recently been improved with the addition of higher calibre weapons. At least seven enemy aircraft were dispatched for the loss of just two bombers, with both of these being as a result of anti-aircraft fire, as opposed to enemy fighter actions. Not a bad start for the desert Mitchells.

Within a few short weeks, the battle of Tunisia had been won and the Allies now had their base from where offensive operations throughout the wider region could be mounted. The B-25 was quickly earning a reputation for both combat effectiveness and general survivability, something which would earn it the respect of air and ground crews alike. Indeed, the Mitchell proved so effective that Axis fighter units took to adopting drastic, if ultimately futile tactics, those of flying above bomber formations and attempting to drop bombs on them. As you might well imagine, results proved disappointing to say the least.

Full scheme details of this desert B-25C Mitchell which would fly more than 80 combat missions in a frenetic ten month period.

The 445th BS and wider 321st BG would go on to play significant roles in the invasion of Sicily and onwards into the so-called underbelly of Europe, as the Allies continued their sweep towards eventual victory.

A particularly attractive US 12th Air Force B25C Mitchell, this machine is representative of the first such bombers to arrive in North Africa and one which was destined to highlight the rugged, highly effective reputation this medium bomber would earn. She was one of the original 445th BS Mitchells to make the long journey to North Africa from the US in February 1943 and would eventually be credited with completing an impressive 80 plus missions over a ten month period. On 13th January 1944, this aircraft would suffer multiple flak strikes during its latest combat mission, rupturing hydraulic lines and making a forced landing back at base inevitable. Although the pilot performed a textbook wheels up landing, this aircraft, one of the oldest still flying with the unit, would not take to the skies again following the incident.

The flamboyant nose artwork applied to this B-25 was unusually carried on both sides of its fuselage and presumably references some form of gambling or perhaps one of the crew's lucky number. If we’re a little wide of the mark in this assumption, perhaps one of our knowledgeable readers could shed some light on the subject for us.

Scheme B - North American B-25D Mitchell, '09' 42-87594, 1st Squadron VVS (Military Air Forces of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, Uman Airfield, Ukraine, 1944.

The importance of America's decision to establish their Lend Lease bill cannot be overestimated, being particularly important during the months prior to, and immediately after America entered the Second World War. Allowing current and future allies access to a huge arsenal of military equipment and supplies, the bill allowed beleaguered nations to keep fighting against Axis forces, where if left to their own supply capabilities, would probably not been in a position to continue doing so. Aircraft were to play a significant role in this arrangement, with several nations benefitting from the supply of some of the latest US aircraft designs.

The Soviet Union would be significant beneficiaries of this arrangement, with their Air Force officials travelling to the US during August 1941 in the hope of securing American heavy bombers. They were looking to obtain B-17 Flying Fortresses, however, the Americans were reluctant to let these go, instead steering the Soviets in the direction of twin engined B-25 Mitchells and B-26 Marauders, aircraft which were still larger than the ones Soviet forces were used to flying operationally. This period was a time of some mistrust from the Soviets, despite the generosity of their American friends and their genuine best intentions, those initial dealings proved difficult to say the least.

The first two Soviet B-25s arrived in Russia aboard a cargo ship, but they were soon receiving hundreds of aircraft via the North-western Ferry Route between Alaska and Siberia. As you might imagine, not all of these aircraft were immediately pressed into operational service, some were sent to 'official' locations, where engineers and technicians dismantled and assessed every aspect of their design and construction, hoping to learn as many lessons as they could from America's impressive industrial capabilities in modern aircraft production.

Although classed as superior to the indigenous Soviet Pe-2 and Tu-2 twin engined bombers in many respects, the initial introduction of the B-25 in VVS service did not go terribly well. With the aircraft operating in daylight at lower altitudes and in support of ground units, they suffered at the hands of Luftwaffe fighter and anti-aircraft units. This resulted in a switch to night bombing operations, a role in which these American classics excelled. Using the aircraft's excellent navigation and sighting equipment, Soviet Mitchells were used extensively to target railway junctions, German airfields and areas of stubborn German troop resistance, all intended not only to break their supply lines, but also to demoralise their fighting spirit.

Such an interesting scheme, a Mitchel in Soviet Air Force markings will certainly create something of a talking point within any collection of built models.

On the night of 30th December 1942, Soviet Air Force B-25 Mitchells attacked the rail yards at Vitebsk, destroying at least 24 locomotives and hundreds of loaded goods wagons, starting an inferno which was said to have lasted for three days.

The Mitchells proved so successful in this night role that they would often be used to lead huge raids consisting mainly of Soviet bomber types, pinpointing targets for the following main force to attack. By the beginning of 1944, 10% of the Long-range Aviation Units which made up this branch of the Soviet Air Force were American built B-25 Mitchell bombers, with 877 (plus a further 9 lost in transit) aircraft eventually supplied to the Soviet Union.

Initially, aircraft were supplied to the Soviets finished in a camouflage scheme of Field Drab, Olive Drab and Slate Grey upper surfaces, with the undersides finished in black, however as the war progressed, later aircraft in the supply run were delivered wearing the standard USAAF colours of Olive Drab upper surfaces, with Neutral Grey undersides. Whichever scheme the aircraft wore, they were all at risk of receiving a liberal coating of hastily applied whitewash during winter months. 

This particular Soviet Air Force B-25D Mitchell flew with the 1st Squadron, a unit under the command of Alexander Ignatyevich Molodchy, one of the most famous heroes of the Soviet Union and at that time, the only person alive to have been twice bestowed the title of 'Hero of the Soviet Union'. He would eventually fly well over 300 operational missions, mainly by night, but hitting strategically important targets across Europe with unerring success, a number of which were flown in the B-25 Mitchell.

Full box artwork presentation for a new addition to the Airfix range which is sure to find favour with aircraft modellers everywhere.

This latest North American B-25 Mitchell addition to the Airfix range is scheduled to arrive in our warehouse towards the end of the year and in our opinion, either of these new scheme options would make for a really interesting winter build project.

We are afraid that's all we have for you in this latest edition, but we will be back next Friday with more project development updates and the very latest Airfix kit exclusives. In the meantime, we are always keen to hear your views on all things Airfix and in particular, any thoughts and opinions you may have regarding our Workbench blog. If you would like to drop us a quick line, could we please ask that you use our workbench@airfix.com email for all correspondence. 

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