This is one of those iconic American aircraft which was used extensively in every theatre of the war in many different versions by the USAAF. It is a twin-engine mid gull-wing twin tail tripod medium bomber and ground attack monoplane aircraft. It was powered by twin Wright R-2000-9 engines in wing nacelles. The Mitchell was introduced in 1941 and remained in service after the war ended.

The RAF snapped up the Mitchell on Lend Lease Act very early in the war with the first batch of 23 being delivered in August 1941 to No.111 training unit in the Bahamas. These were used for training and familiarisation purposes and never saw action. The Mitchell II were delivered from early 1942. These consisted of 167 B-25C and 370 B-25D with the upgraded Wright R-2600-13 engines giving 1750hp each. 40 of these went to the Bahamas and the rest to the UK. The RAF trialled the G version, with the solid nose armed with 4 x .50 Browning but did not order any due to the imminent arrival of the Mosquito. In November 1944 the Mitchell III began to appear, 240 of the B-25J, to replace the Mitchell II but No.2 group retained most of the Mitchell II’s. Several second line units in the UK were equipped with Mitchell II’s and III’s.

Despite the numbers of Mitchells delivered, the first Mitchell II mission was not flown until January 1943. This was executed by No.180 Squadron which was a disaster. Three of the six aircraft were lost to flak and enemy fighters. The Mitchell was stood down while crews were retrained in tight formation tactics. After that the Mitchell squadrons of No.2 Group, the RAFs tactical medium bomber wing, were used more frequently as they gradually replaced the Bristol Blenheim and the Armstrong-Whitworth Whitley as well as some of the ageing Wellington squadrons. Two squadrons equipped with Mitchell II’s were operated in the Far East as photo reconnaissance and army support.

The Mitchell was in operation until the end of the war when the majority were retired from RAF service, many being returned to the US. 300 or so continued as an occupation force until December 1945 when they too were removed from service. There are many surviving examples around the world, most of which are in the USA, including 42 airworthy examples.

In the UK there are 2 on display, both American, one in Lincolnshire Heritage Centre and one in the American Air Museum at Duxford. There are no surviving RAF Mitchells.