| B-25 Mitchell Tondelayo Military Aircraft Model B-25 Mitchell Tondelayo Military Aircraft Model Excellent Craftsmanship!
Our master craftsmen, working from three-dimensional drawings, handcraft each model from either the finest Philippine mahogany or state-of-the-art composite. Each model is shaped with remarkable precision and attention to detail. Several stages of fine sanding, between primer coats, produce a smooth finish ready for final painting. Talented artists using ultra-fine brushes and decals, paint the nose art, stripes and markings. A final coat of clear polyurethane provides lasting protection and brilliance. Item Details: - 1/44 scale model
- Wing Span: 18.25 inches
- Length: 15.25 inches
Item Highlights: - Makes a GREAT gift!
- Many different models to choose from
- Hand made from fine Philippine mahogany or state-of-the-art composite
SHIPPING TIME: 95% OF OUR ORDERS SHIP WITHIN 7 BUSINESS DAYS PLUS TRANSIT TIME
Model Description This collectible model B-25 represents “Tondelayo,” a B-25 operated by the Doolittle Raid in 1942; served in Europe, and became deadly ground attack aircraft when fitted with up to 14 forward-firing machine guns. Development of the B-25 began in the 1930s as an outgrowth of North American Aviation’s XB-21 project. The new aircraft, called NA-40 by the company, was evaluated by the Army Air Corps in 1939 and ordered into production as the B-25. The B-25 was an inch under 53 feet long, with a wingspan of 67 feet, 6 inches. Powered by two Wright 2600 Twin Cyclone engines developing 1,850 horsepower each, the B-25 had a maximum speed of 275 mph and a combat radius of 1,350 miles. Armament could include up to 6,000 pounds of bombs; eight 5-inch rockets; a torpedo, and forward firing machine guns or cannon. Versions of the B-25 fitted with up to 14 forward-firing .50-caliber machine guns proved devastating to Japanese shipping, and strafing and “parafrag” attacks proved valuable for attacking airfields. Maj. Paul “Pappy” Gunn developed many of the innovations that made the Mitchell a devastating attack aircraft, pioneering the strafing modifications, as well as skip-bombing techniques against shipping. Mitchells would come in at low-level, guns blazing, as pilots kicked rudder pedals to walk rounds along the waterline of Japanese ships and to suppress anti-aircraft fire. Crews would drop their delay-fused bombs before they roared just above their targets. The bombs would skip along the surface, hit the ship and sink before exploding underwater, ripping open the underside of the vessel. Almost 10,000 B-25s were produced, and the tough bombers served with many nations. Following World War II, many B-25s landed in long-term storage while others continued to be used as trainers, recon aircraft or in support roles. The last B-25 in the Air Force was retired in 1960. The original Tondelayo gained fame on Oct. 18, 1943. Along with the B-25s “SNAFU” and “Sorry Satchul,” Tondelayo attacked a ship at Vunapope near the Japanses stronghold of Rabaul. After the attack, Japanese fighters swarmed the three bombers, shooting down SNAFU and Sorry Satchul. Despite having one engine shot out, Tondelayo’s crew continued to fight for more than 75 minutes as wave after wave of Zeros attacked. Sgt. John Murray,the turret gunner, shot down five planes, while four others misjudged their altitude and crashed while making runs on the B-25 skimming the surface of the ocean. The crew of Todelayo earned Silver Star medals and the 345th Group was also awarded the Distinuished Unit Citation. |
