The September 2021 issue of Dispersals is now available for online reading at http://www.bamf.be/Dispersals/Dispersals_Sep_2021.pdf This edition covers a range of subjects including an update on the prospects for the Reg Day Museum at Dunsfold aerodrome.
The North American B-25 Mitchell is an American twin-engine, medium bomber manufactured by North American Aviation (NAA). It was named in honour of Major General William “Billy” Mitchell, a pioneer of U.S. military aviation. Used by many Allied air forces, the B-25 served in every theatre of World War II and after the war ended many remained in service, operating across four decades. Produced in numerous variants, nearly 10,000 Mitchells rolled from NAA factories.
At Dunsfold three RAF squadrons operated Mitchells – 98, 180 and 320 Squadrons. They were initially equipped with Mitchell II’s ( equivalent to the variant that the Americans used, the Mitchell B25 C ) and in 1944 were upgraded with Mitchell III’s (B25 J).
The evolution in the European theatre showed that the ventral positioned remote turret was not popular and later removed. The majority of Dunsfold based operations were utilising the Mitchell II. Later, repositioning of the top turret and the addition of waist gun positions was the primary change seen in the later Mitchell III.
North American Mitchell II of No.180 Squadron, Rickard, J (2 October 2008), http://www.historyofwar.org/Pictures/pictures_mitchell_II_180_sqn.html
North American Mitchell II of No.98 Squadron, Rickard, J (18 July 2008), http://www.historyofwar.org/Pictures/pictures_mitchell_II_98_sqn.html
The Mitchell II (B25 C) was not radially different to its successor. Around the time of D-Day the first of the new Mitchell III’s (B25 J) were introduced to 98 Squadron and later to 180 and 320 Squadrons Note: the MkIII (B25J) has a revised turret position, aerial clusters and waist gunner positions requiring squadron code markings to be moved on the fuselage.
