North American TB-25L Mitchell 3PT

  • Period: Second World War (1939-1945)
  • Uses: Bomber
  • First Flight: August 19, 1940
  • Display Status: In Reserve Hangar.

The Mitchell was a highly successful Second World War bomber and ground-attack aircraft which flew on every major front. Many versions of the Mitchell were produced: some with more powerful engines, some with heavy armament for surface attack, and some for pilot training and fast-transport duties. The Mitchell continued in service in the postwar era. The RCAF used both bombing and training versions well into the 1960s. Nearly 11 000 Mitchells were built in the United States between 1940 and 1945.

In 1942 Mitchell bombers flew off the aircraft carrier USS Hornet on the famous Doolittle raid to Japan. Because the Mitchell was far too large to land back on the carrier, the raiders flew on towards China. The surviving aircraft crash-landed there.

For surface attack some Mitchells were fitted with as many as 12 forward-firing machine guns. Others carried a 75-mm cannon, one of the heaviest guns ever fitted in an aircraft. The cannon’s 21 shells, each weighing 6.8 kg (15.1 lb), had to be hand-loaded by the navigator.

Museum Example

  • Registration #: 5244 (RCAF)
  • Manufacturer: North American Aviation Inc., United States
  • Manufacture Date: 1945
  • Construction #: 108-47453
  • Aquisition Date: 1964
  • Provenance: Transfer from RCAF

The Museum specimen was manufactured in 1945, then converted to and operated as a pilot trainer by the US Air Force until taken on strength by the RCAF in 1952. After being flown and subsequently stored by the RCAF, it was transferred to the Museum in 1964.

Specifications

Wing Span:
20.6 m (67 ft 7 in)
Length:
16.1 m (52 ft 11 in)
Height:
5 m (16 ft 4 in)
Weight, Empty:
8,808 kg (19,418 lb)
Weight, Gross:
15,873 kg (35,000 lb)
Cruising Speed:
370 km/h (230 mph)
Max Speed:
438 km/h (272 mph)
Rate of Climb:
4,570 m (15,000 ft) / 19 min
Service Ceiling:
7,380 m (24,200 ft)
Range:
2,173 km (1,350 mi)
Power Plant:
two Wright R-2600-13, 1,700 hp, radial engines