B-25J Mitchell Briefing Time Military Aircraft Model

B-25J Mitchell Briefing Time Military Aircraft Model

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:
• 1/41 scale model
• Wing Span: 19.75 inches
• Length: 15.75 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

This collectible model B-25 represents “Briefing Time,” a B-25J operated by the Mid-Atlantic Air Museum. The original Briefing Time served with the 489th Bomb Squadron, 57th Bomb Wing, 340th Bomb Group of the 12th Air Force in the Italian campaign. This detailed model B-25 shows the medium bomber that struck America’s first blows against Japan in World War II and offered a valuable morale boost to the nation. Painstakingly built from Philippine mahogany by our skilled craftsmen with a wealth of detail, this 1/41-scale model of Briefing Time makes a great pilot gift, or a present for any aviation enthusiast or history buff.

The B-25 Mitchell was one of the most widely used aircraft of World War II, serving in every theater in a variety of configurations. The twin-engine Mitchell made the first strikes against Japan during the famed 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 aircraft that would be restored as Briefing Time was struck from Air Force service in 1959. The B-25J later was used by Tallmantz Aviation as a support aircraft, and has appeared in seven films, including “Catch-22” and “War and Remembrance” Restored by volunteers at the Mid-Atlantic Air Museum, Briefing Time is noted as being one of the most authentic restorations of any B-25 Mitchell. It includes an original Norden bomb sight, as well as a working bomb bay.