The North American B-25C Mitchell: Theoretical vs Practical

slowmo21too · December 23, 2023, 11:01pm

The North American B-25C Mitchell: Theoretical vs Practical

North American B-25C Mitchell

(Polls are at the bottom)

Overview

Salutations my friends! Today, or whenever you all see this, I would like to suggest an earlier variant of the legendary B-25 in game, this being the first mass-produced variant of the B-25, with 1,619 being built, in addition to a interesting defensive layout, as instead of the well known waist guns, earlier variants of the B-25 had a ventral turret, in addition to their dorsal turret shifted to the waist as well. Please welcome, the North American B-25C Mitchell, specifically her production block 10 variant.

Basic Information

Designation:

B-25C-10 (Military)
NA-82 (Manufacturer)

Name:

“Mitchell”

Role:

Medium Bomber

Crew:

6

Manufacturer:

North American Aviation

Total built:

1,619

Introduced:

September 24, 1940

Retired:

May, 1943

Specifications

Dimensions:

Length:
- 53 ft (16.15 m)
Wing Area:
- 610 sq. ft (56.67 m²)
Wingspan:
- 67 ft 7 in (20.59 m)
Height:
- 15 ft 9 in (4.8 m)

Flight Performance:

Engine(s):
- 2x Wright R-2600-13 Double Cyclone fourteen-cylinder air-cooled radials
- 1,700 hp (1267 kW) each
Maximum Speed:
- 284 mph (457 km/h) at 15,000 ft (4,572 m)
Cruise Speed:
- 233 mph (375 km/h)
Service Ceiling:
- 24,000 ft (7315 m)
Rate of Climb:
- 1,100 ft/min (5.6 m/s)
Max Range:
- 1,500 mi (2,414 km, 1,303 nmi)
Empty weight:
- 20,300 lb (9,208 kg)
Max Takeoff Weight:
- 34,000 lb (15,422 kg)

Armament (Offensive):

1x .50 in (12.7 mm) M2 Browning machine gun in the nose

Armament (Defensive):

1x .50 in (12.7 mm) M2 Browning machine gun on a flexible-mount in the nose
2x .50 in (12.7 mm) M2 Browning machine guns mounted in a dorsal turret at the fuselage waist
2x .50 in (12.7 mm) M2 Browning machine guns mounted in a ventral turret at the fuselage waist
2x .50 in (12.7 mm) M2 Browning machine guns mounted at the fuselage tail window, with minimal horizontal traverse OR 1x .50 in (12.7 mm) M2 Browning machine gun in a flexible mount at the fuselage tail

Armament (Suspended):

Total Carrying Capacity: 3000 lb (1360.7 kg)
- Various AN-Model conventional Bombs in various configurations
- 1x 2000lb (907 kg) 22.4-inch torpedo on external rack
6-8x external underwing bomb racks

Additional Information:

Fuel Capacity:
- 670 US gal (2536.2 L) internal, with optional additional internal/external tanks.

Usage In Battles

The B-25C-10 would make a phenomenal low-rank bomber, as its would have a good advantage with a effective belly turret, however its lack of waist gunners leave it vulnerable to level attacks from the sides and front due to its single defensive gun. The B-25C-10 would also have a noticable lack in offensive armament compared to other B-25s ingame, having only 1x .50 machine gun.

Pros:

Great Armour
Good Defensive Armament
Good Dive Speed

Cons:

Poor Turn Ability
Vulnerable Fuel Tanks in Wings
Poor energy retention

History

The B-25C was the first variant of the Mitchell to be mass-produced, seeing 1,625 ordered, with 1,619 built. Following the completion of the initial B-25, B-25A, and B-25B contracts, additional contracts were given to North American for 1625 B-25Cs to be built, with the first B-25C contract being approved on September 24, 1940 for 863 airframes.

The B-25C was essentially identical to the B-25B visually, however numerous changes would be made to the B-25. The B-25C introduced the R-2600-13 Double Cyclone engine with Holley 1685HA carburetors, replacing the previous Bendix Stromberg PD-13E-2 units, however the Bendix carburetors were favored because of their easier maintenance, despite requiring more careful anti-icing procedures. In addition, the exhaust system was reconfigured, and de-icer, anti-icing, and cabin-heating systems were added, using a new 24-volt electrical system, and a redesigned tail skid.

Changes unique to the B-25C-10 production block would be the addition of a AM remote reading compass, improved cabin heating systems, and an improved scanning lens for the sig.

The B-25C-10 would serve in both theatres of WW2 alongside previous and future variants, famously being used during the Doolittle Raid on Japan. An Interesting note however is that the ventral turret was not well liked by gunners due to its optics often causing severe nausea after short usage and it becoming obscured by dirt and mud during takeoff, especially on dirt airfields, leading to many crews field-modifying their aircraft to remove the turret.

Additional Photos