North American Mitchell Mk. V RAAF

[b29r]

With the Pacific War coming to a stalemate during 1944-1945, the Allies used this time to consolidate their positions and re-equip their armed forces.  The RAAF had been asking for additional bomber aircraft, and the newly developed North American B-25K had been improved into a multi-role attack bomber.  The K model differed from its predecessors by having standard high resolution cameras for recon missions, but also with advanced surface scan radar for the low level ship-busting mission.  The new British H3x radar was perfect for locating surface targets from low to mid altitude, with the added benefit of the ability to identify submerged targets, provided that the aircraft did not exceed 1,000 ft., a somewhat limiting factor.

This model of the Mitchell was updated with the removal of the manned dorsal turret and replaced with a General Electric two gun unit from the A-26 program.  With the gunner, radios,  and radar electronics moved aft of the bombbay, the former waist .50's and gunner were removed.  The engines were also uprated, to maintain performance with a now somewhat heavier aircraft.  The same basic gun armament from the "H" model was retained, but with an autocannon reloading feature which eliminated manual (and dangerous) hand loading by a crew member.  Applique armor was also added to the aircraft spine, just behind the flight deck, and also just aft of the gunners sighting blister.

Bomb load was  standardized around 3 ea of the 500 lb. M-XX HE bombs, but could also carry 250 lb. armor piercing bombs, or a single 2,000 lb. demolition bomb.  In addition, up to three depth bombs could be carried for anti-submarine work.  The preferred use of the K model was in the low level skip bombing of surface ships, the heavy forward firepower  wreaking absolute havoc on the decks of the targeted vessel.

Complete aircraft were ferried to depots in Australia for training and dispersal to combat units, and also factory kits were shipped from the North American plant in Kansas City, Missouri for final assembly at the CAC facilities in Port Melbourne.  In RAAF service, the aircraft was known as the "Mitchell Mk. V", and was very successful at interdicting and disrupting Japanese efforts.  The greatest moment for the "Kay" was when 24 squadron aircraft located and attacked a supply convoy escorted by the IJN light cruiser Hashikami, sinking it and three cargo ships by skip bombing and 75mm gunfire.  Aircrews also became adept at intercepting long-range Japanese recon aircraft, such as the Emily and Mavis flying boats.  One famous 24 squadron aircraft "535", crewed by Flt. Lt's Carter, Wolff, Coulson, and Clark, managed to pick off two of these "snoopers" in a single mission, using only their 75mm cannon from outside of the range of 20mm defensive fire.

Following the end of the war in 1946, the Mitchell Kay's were retired, and mostly scrapped in situ.  Three aircraft have remained preserved at museums in Sydney, Brisbane, and Perth, with another two in outside storage, awaiting restoration.









Here seen flying through intense flak against a gray overcast and dark ocean is the venerable Airfix Mitchell bomber, "helped" by some modifications.  Perhaps not the easiest kit to wrestle together, and plenty of warts on this one, but still fun after all these years.

Best regards,
Kem

[PR19_Kit]

That's a NICE job you've made of such an ancient kit. 

Love the various mods too, very logical.

[wuzak]

Nice backstory.

I have just been reading about the B-25 gunships. It seems that on the H the mid upper turret gunner would have to vacate his position when the 75mm cannon was fired, since hot gases and flames would come out of the breech and could set the gunner's flight suit on fire! The earlier gunships, with the mid upper turret mounted further rearwards, did not have this problem.

Your B-25K doesn't have that problem, with the remote turret operated from the rear fuselage.

[zenrat]

Very nice.  Especially given what you started with.



I'm getting that "Mitchell" urge again.  The one that led to the twin engine Lanc...

[NARSES2]

Does look good 

[Glenn Gilbertson]

Good idea and execution - further proof that hard work can produce a fine model from an ancient kit.

[The Rat]

Is that the Airfix kit?!?!?!  I've just spent months wrestling with one and it doesn't look a tenth as good as that!

Time to take up knitting. Again. 

[TomZ]

Love it. Great finish of a bear of a kit.
Wonderful idea!

TomZ

[b29r]

Thanks all!  I appreciate you taking time for a look at, yes, an ancient piece of Airfix history.  She can put up a pretty good fight for an old lady  but can be worth it in the end.  Mods were simple since I am a simple builder 

wuzak:  Good point about the gun gas, and this was a point specifically addressed in the design of the K, even before the GE turret was finalized.  Special vents were installed to pull gun gas fumes out the bottom of the aircraft, the photo's don't show this well.

Fred:  For Heaven's sake, don't resist that Mitchell urge when it calls 

Rat:  No, don't take up knitting, just get another kit down and go to it

[zenrat]

...Fred:  For Heaven's sake, don't resist that Mitchell urge when it calls  ...

I'll get one of the new ones when they finally arrive here (although i'm hoping e-bay prices of the originals drop to what they are actually worth).  However in the meantime i've been thinking about a gun nose, tricycled SB-2.

[PR19_Kit]

I'll get one of the new ones when they finally arrive here (although i'm hoping e-bay prices of the originals drop to what they are

That should mean that the seller actually pays you to take it off his hands! 

[comrade harps]

Like it!