Article 9964 of rec.aviation.military:
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From: jfb@usgp1.ih.att.com (Joe Baugher)
Subject: Bomber Series--North American B-25 Mitchell (3 of 32)
Message-ID: <D1yq4A.1qM@ssbunews.ih.att.com>
Summary: B-25A
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Date: Fri, 6 Jan 1995 02:40:58 GMT
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In 1941, as a result of air combat reports coming in from Europe, 
modifications were introduced into the North American B-25 production 
line at Inglewood beginning with the 25th aircraft built, resulting in 
a change in designation to B-25A.  

The B-25A introduced armor protection for the crew, including a 
3/8-inch armor plate added to the pilot's, co-pilot's and bombardier's 
seats as well as to the gunner's compartments.  The aircraft was also 
equipped with self-sealing fuel tanks, which reduced total fuel 
capacity from 912 to 694 US gallons, although provision was made for 
the installation of a 418 gallon tank in the bomb bay for ferrying.  
This made for a significant increase in weight, resulting in a slight 
degradation in the performance.  

The first Air Corps operational unit with the B-25A was the the 17th 
Bombardment Group at McChord Field, which included the 34th, 37th, and 
95th Squadrons, plus the attached 89th Reconnaissance Squadron.  This 
outfit, whcih formerly flew Douglas B-18s, moved to Pendleton, Oregon 
in June of 1941.  Other B-25As were sent to the 30th Bombardment Group 
at New Orleans, the 43rd Bombardment Group at Bangor, Maine, the 39th 
Bombardment Group at Spokane, Washington, and the 44th Bombardment 
Group at MacDill Field in Florida.  One B-25A went to Wright field for 
tests.  

A total of 40 B-25As were built before the production line switched over
to the B-25B version.

Serials of the North American B-25A Mitchell:

40-2189/2228		North American B-25A Mitchell
				company numbers 62-2858/62-2897


Specification of North American B-25A Mitchell:  

Two Wright R-2600-9 Double Cyclone fourteen-cylinder air-cooled 
radials, each rated at 1700 hp for takeoff and 1500 hp at 2400 rpm.  
Equipped with Bendix Stromberg PD-13E-2 carburetors.  
Performance:  Maximum Speed 315 mph at 15,000 feet.  Service ceiling 
27,000 feet, Cruising speed 262 mph.  Climb to 15,000 feet in 8.4 
minutes.  Range 1350 miles with 3000 pounds of bombs.  
Weights:  17,870 pounds empty, 27,100 pounds maximum loaded.  
Dimensions:  wingspan 67 feet 6.7 inches, length 54 feet 1 inche, 
height 15 feet 9 inches, wing area 610 square feet.  
Fuel:  two forward wing tanks, total 368 gallons.  Two rear wing tanks 
total 324 gallons.  One droppable bomb bay tank, 418 gallons.  
Armament:  One 0.30-inch machine gun in flexible mount in the nose.  
One 0.30-inch machine gun in a flexible dorsal position.  One 
0.30-inch machine gun in flexible waist position.  One 0.50-inch 
machine gun in flexible tail position.  

Sources:

   B-25 Mitchell: The Magnificent Medium, N. L. Avery, Phalanx, 1992.

   Medium with the Mostest--The B-25 Mitchell, Jerry Scutts,
   Air International, Vol. 44, Nos 2 and 3, 1993.

   Boston, Mitchell, and Liberator in Australian Service, Stewart
   Wilson, Aerospace Publications, 1992.

   Famous Bombers of the Second World War, William Green, Doubleday,
   1959.

   North American's Flying Gun--The Story of the B-25 From Paper
   Airplane to Legendary Bomber, Jack Dean, Wings, Vol 23 No 4, 1993.

   United States Military Aircraft Since 1909, Gordon Swanborough
   and Peter M. Bowers, Smithsonian, 1989.

   North American B-25A-G Mitchell, Aircraft in Profile, Doubleday, 
   1966.

   Jane's American Fighting Aircraft of the 20th Century, Michael J.
   H. Taylor.

Joe Baugher			  **************************************
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