B-25 History

The North American B-25 Mitchell was one of America’s most versatile medium bombers of World War II, but few versions were as distinctive as the B-25G. Developed by North American Aviation, the B-25G replaced the standard glass nose with a solid attack nose mounting fixed .50-caliber machine guns and a manually loaded 75 mm M4 cannon — a powerful weapon designed for devastating low-level attacks against shipping, barges, coastal targets, airfields, and vehicle concentrations. Measuring 52 feet 11 inches in length with a 67-foot-7-inch wingspan and powered by two Wright R-2600-13 engines, the B-25G could reach speeds of 280 mph. Among these rare cannon-armed Mitchells was B-25G-5-NA serial 42-65035, accepted in 1943. It served in North Africa, striking Axis supply lines, ports, convoys, and coastal traffic that supported the campaigns in Tunisia, Sicily, and Italy before later returning to stateside training duties.