- Yes
- No
Hello! And welcome to my suggestion for the North American B-25 Mitchell in RAF service, in a similar fashion to my other suggestions, this will be a several part series of Suggestions for the B-25 Mitchell in RAF service, starting with this; The Mitchell Mk.I, also known as the B-25B. I feel this would be a good premium or event vehicle for the British Tree.
History
Spoiler
The North American B-25 Mitchell is one of the staples of the second World War, being one of the most produced bombers of the war, it has gained fame through the many operations it took part in, Including the famous Doolittle raid in which carrier launched B-25Bs made the first american air strike on Japanese soil. However significantly less known however, was the Mitchells use by the RAF, in which 910 aircraft were sent and even serving until after the war had ended.
The RAF was an early reciever of the Mitchell through lend lease, first receiving 23 B-25B with serials FK161 through FK183, these Mitchells were dubbed the Mitchell Mk.I and were sent to No.111 Operational Training unit in the Bahamas, However, unlike other variants, this variant was never sent to any combat squadrons, instead being used as ground and Aircrew Trainers in order to familiarise crews with the aircraft before moving onto later operational Mitchells such as the Mitchell Mk.II.
It is important to note that despite these aircraft never being used in combat, they were still fully combat capable, with none of their armaments being removed, thus meaning they were still capable of being used in combat, they were just only used for training in use with the RAF.
Canada Also received a Single Mitchel Mk.I alongside some other variants through lend lease, bringing the total to 24 aircraft, however the Mitchells role in the the RCAF was mainly training and it is unlikely that unit ever saw combat either.
Images
Spoiler
A Diagram showing the internal layout of the Mitchell Mk.I
Mitchell Mk.I FK162, the second Mitchell to enter service with the RAF
A Mitchell Mk.I in the Bahamas, sometime in 1942
Specs/Armament
Spoiler
General Characteristics/Performance
- Crew: 5 ( Pilot, co-pilot, bombardier, navigator/radio operator, gunner)
- Engines: 2 x Wright R-2600-9 (1700 hp each)
- Carburetors: Bendix Stromberg PD-13E-2
- Fuel Capacity:
- 2 forward wing cells, total 368 gallons
- 2 rear wing cells, total 324 gallons
- Droppable bomb bay tank 420 gallons
- Armor Protection: 3/8 inch plate behind pilots and bombardier, under bombardier
- Weights:
- Empty: 20,000 lbs.
- Max: 28,460 lbs.
- Speed (Max): 300 mph at 15,000 feet
- Service Ceiling: 23,500 ft
- Range: 1,300 miles with 3,000 lbs. bombs
Armament
Guns
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1 x Flexible 12.7mm machine gun in the nose
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2 x 12.7mm machine guns in dorsal turret
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2 x 12.7mm machine guns in ventral turret
Bombs
- Up to 3000 lbs of bombs internally
Place in game
Spoiler
I feel this would fit well as a Premium or event vehicle for the British tree, as the later Mk.II variant would most likely fill the same role as this and unlike this variant was used in combat, In terms of BR i would suggest this would sit around 3.3 or 3.7 given its worse performance and defensive armament compared to the B-25J already in game, potentially allowing for a slightly higher BR bomber over the Hudson Mk.V
Sources