History and versions

See the article about the North American B-25 Mitchell.


Purchase by Netherlands Purchasing Committee.

Because of the required modernization and enforcement of the bomber fleet of the NEIAF (Ml-KNIL) the purchase of 162 medium bombers, to replace the Martin bombers, was proposed. At the beginning of the war the B-25 was rather new and not very popular yet, so this bomber could be obtained quit easily. The contract for the delivery of 162 NA-90 B-25C-5’s was signed June 30, 1941.

The planned delivery scheme: November 1942 25 examples
  December 1942 50 examples
  January 1943 80 examples
  February 1943 7 examples

Production and delivery was planned after the delivery of the running USAAF contract. In August 1941 the ML succeeded in having a earlier delivery scheme according the following scheme:

March till September 1942 6 examples a month Total 42 examples
October and November 1942 18 examples a month Total 36 examples
December 1942 and January 1943 36 examples a month Total 72 examples
February 1943 12 examples a month Total 12 examples

In fact these aircraft were from the original USAAF contract, exchanged with the aircraft of the Dutch contract.
Two ferry routes were available, one via Africa to India and one via Hawaii to Brisbane.

Detachment Bangalore (India).

Reported was that about twenty B-25C's were on their way via Africa to India, early March 1942 eight crews went from Java to Bangalore, India: the team was under the leadership of Wittert van Hoogland and existed of six pilots, seven mechanics and six telegraphers.
March 8 the first of the first batch of eight aircraft arrived.
March 9 five aircraft had arrived, the sixth aircraft was crashed during the ferry in Africa.
Two other aircraft were damaged at Palm Beach. All aircraft were equipped with the, at that time, very modern and secret Norden-bombing sights. The B-25's were provided with an aircraft letter according to RAF orders.(see table below)

NEIAF serial RAF code US-fisc. Year-number
N5-139 R 41-12507
N5-143 K 41-12445
N5-144 C 41-12495
N5-145 B 41-12509
N5-148 M 41-12508

Because the B-25 was a totally new type of aircraft, there were problems with tooling and spare parts, luckily much KLM material could be used and many training flights could be flown. After a demonstration on March 24, 1942, British Air Marshal Sir Peirse (commander RAF at India) proposed to used the Mitchell for photo reconnaissance duties.

Early April permission from London arrived to form a PRU (Photo Reconnaissance Unit) for the RAF, India.
Between April 18 and May 10 the B-25's left for Karachi, to be modified for PRU jobs. July 3, the Dutch team left and moved by ship to Fremantle, as they were no longer needed in India. The B-25's were handed over to the RAF, together with three Lockheeds 212, which had escaped from the Dutch East Indies.
The Mitchells were assigned to No. 684 Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, India. Two Mitchells received RAF serials MA956 and MA957, the other retained their original Dutch serials N5-144, N5-145 and N5-148.

 

Detachment, Australia.

In Australia a group consisting of eighteen pilots, seven telegraphers and fourteen mechanics, under the leadership of Captain Boot, was available. March 2, 1942 the first Mitchell arrived at Archerfield. This was the first example of the batch of eighteen B-25s 18 B-25C's. This batch was part a total batch of sixty aircraft to be sent to Australia.

The first twelve B-25's had N5-serials and orange triangles. According to photos the serials were N5-120 till N5-131.
The Mitchells flying via the India are thought to have been registered N5-139 till N5-148.
The second batch of twenty-four aircraft arrived in March and April 1942. This batch was completely handed over to the USAAF according an agreement. The Dutch had to receive sixty Mitchells in Australia plus the six Mitchells delivered in India, which makes a total of sixty six aircraft. It was agreed that of these sixty Mitchells, forty-two aircraft had to be handed over to the USAAF, inclusive the Mitchells already delivered. So eighteen Mitchells were left for the Dutch.

April 1, 1942 in Australia just five B-25Cs were available, to know N5-132; N5-134, N5-136, N5-151 and N5-161.
These had a single .303 machine gun in the nose plus two .303 machine guns in both turrets. Initially the national insignia applied was the orange triangle, these were replaced soon with the Dutch flag.
It cost a lot of effort to keep these five B-25’s for the Dutch. In June still these five Mitchells were available. The other thirteen aircraft were not available yet.  Mitchell N5-161 was unservicable until May because of a damaged nosewheel.
By the end of June a sixth Mitchell, registered N5-146, arrived. This aircraft was damaged when it arrived in Australia, it was repaired and transferred to no 18 squadron NEI. June 4 a request arrived to assist tracing a Japanese submarine. June 5 two B-25's of the Dutch 18e squadron managed to trace a Japanese submarine; Mitchell N5-151 bombed and sank this submarine.

During July 1942 the existing Mitchells were re-registered, because it was very confusing because of all partial deliveries. (see table below):

First serialNew serialUS-serial
N5-132 N5-122 41-12437
N5-134 N5-123 41-12464
N5-136 N5-124 41-12439
N5-151 N5-125 41-12482
N5-161 N5-126 41-12501
N5-146 N5-127 41-12494

Between August 20 and September 21, 1942 a third delivery of N5-128 till N5-145 This was a mixture of 11 C's and 7 D's. The aircraft already present (N5-122 till N5-127) were returned to the USAAF according the agreement mentioned above. The new aircraft differed from the first six aircraft in having .50 inch machine guns and improved turrets. The new B-25C's had the ability to carry external fuel tanks under the wings. the B-25D's lacked this ability.
Very disappointing was the Estoppey D-8 bomb sight. This was rather primitive and in accurate being compared with the advanced Norden D-7 of the earlier aircraft.
The range (without external tanks) for the B-25C/D was 400 miles; the range with these tanks was 1000 miles.
The N5-131 was equipped with a small bomb bay tank of 300 gallon for testing purposes. the bomb load decreased and was 6 x 100 lbs or 3 x 19500 lbs. The test was successful so in November/December 1942 the 300 gallon-tank was built in all other aircraft.

The table below shows the ranges of the Mitchell types in use:

Range = 2 x cruising rangeRangeType
Normal 800 miles C and D
Normal + bombbay-tank (300 gallon) 1400 miles C and D
Normal + bombbay-tank + external tanks 2000 miles C

Until the end of 1942 further reinforcement with B-25C-10’s and B-25C-15’s followed.
In the real world the ventral Bendix turret proofed to be useless and was removed mostly. July 1943 the Estoppey D-8 bomb sight was replaced with the modern Sperry bomb sight. September 1943 eight B-25D-20's were ferried by newly trained pilots from the RNMFS.
These aircraft are called D modified in the books of O.G. Ward. In the recent released books about squadron 320 (Dutch) RAF the author Nico Geldhof refers to this type as North-American B-25D srs II, though this might be a RAF designation.
These aircraft had two machine guns in a pod applied both sides of the fuselage and one machine gun in the tail.
Also a machine gun was added pointing out of the windows in the fuselage, just behind the wings.
These windows had been replaced and were located in opposite direction. Compare the position of the windows with those of the later B-25H and B-25J models. This was because of the position of the turret.
The B-25H and B-25J had this turret replaced to a new location between cockpit and wing.
Concerning the tailgun, this was also a forerunner of the arrangement used on the B-25H and B-25J models. It was equipped with a single machine gun and also smaller and of a different shape.

Between January and April 1944 another fifty B-25D's arrived, page 21 of 'Squadrons ...' shows a line up of this type of Mitchells. It were the last Mitchells to be ferried by the new pilots of the RNMFS (e.g. N5-193 with a Gremlin badge applied on the nose). These aircraft were not needed, so twenty aircraft of this batch were handed over to the RAAF: e.g. N5-183 became A47-1; N5-187 became A47-2; etcetera. see the table below

May 1943 the first B-25J-1 was delivered. This version was heavily armed with two.50 inch fixed machine guns in the nose; two .50 machine guns in the tail; two machine guns in the dorsal turret, which had been replaced forward, plus two gunpacks with two machine guns each. For further information I recommend the books (in Dutch) of O.G. Ward and G.J. Tornij, which contains a extensive serial list.

 

B-25 Strafers NEIAF.

The concept of ‘skip-bombing’ was a low approach and dropping the bombs near the target in such a way that the bombs jumped against the target. Disadvantage was the heavy fire from the target. The B-25 lacked sufficient forward firing armament to resist this fire.

B-25C, registered 41-12437 was used for testing purposes. Because the skip bombing doesn't needed the bomb sight, four .50 fixed forward firing machine guns were added to the nose. These pointed out through a metal plate which replaced the flat glass panel. Further four additional fixed 0.50-inch machine guns were added in external blisters, which contained two guns each and were mounted on each sides of the fuselage, just below the cockpit. An metal plate was mounted to protect the fuselage.

Because of a recce flight with B-25C N5-133, March 30, 1943, during which a aerial fight occurred with three Zekes, the Mitchell managed to arrive with hardly any fuel left. Commander Fiedeldij wrote a letter about the insufficient armament and the to long distance of the ordered flights. He referred to an American report which advised to reinforce the forward armament, remove the ventral turret an replace it with a 300 gallon-tank and a movable machine gun in the tail and add a bomb release mechanism for the pilots.

May 7, 1943 permission was given to modify five machines with heavier armament. Mitchells N5-129, N5-137, N5-141, N5-143 and N5-145 were modified and equipped with four .50 machine guns in the nose plus two pair .50 machine guns in a 'single gun pack'. The ventral turret was deleted. The other aircraft were equipped with two pair .50 machine guns in 'single gun packs'.
The bomb release mechanism for the pilots was deleted. The modifications were done at Eagle Farms te Australia, initially 12 strafers were delivered to 90th Squadron. The strafer concept was very successful, so in September 1943 175 B-25C's and D's were modified, including the five Dutch aircraft.

In 1946 several Dutch B-25J’s were modified to the strafer version with eight .05 machine guns in the nose. At that time most Dutch Mitchells had the dorsal turret and gunpacks removed, mainly because of lack of spare parts.

 

Leaflet droppings.

For these dropping the N5-180 'ADA' and N5-185 'Lienke' were available from August 4, 1944. The nose section of the N5-185 needed to be repaired and the aircraft was ready August 24, 1944.

Turrets and armament, except the machine guns in the nose and tail, were removed.
The openings were covered with aluminium plates. Inside the rear part of the fuselage a wooden frame was mounted to hold a 184 gallon fuel tank and also twenty-four four gallon fuel cans were brought aboard.
The underside of the aircraft was thoroughly cleaned and stripped. The aircraft were polished and large Dutch flags were painted on the undersides of the wings and sides of the fuselage.
For the first flight the targets and route were painted on the nose. The first leaflet dropping was in September 23, 1944. to Batavia with the N5-180 and at 0.05 hours on September 24, 1944 the N5-185 left for Bandoeng.
The N5-180 was withdrawn from use after this first flight. The N5-185 made several other flights on January 28, 1945 and January 30, 1945 to Soerabaja, Madioen and respectively Tjililitan.

 

Transporters.

September 1, 1943, NEI Aircraft and Personnel Pool (NEI-APP), Personnel and Equipment Pool (PEP) was established to offer a provision for personnel and material on behalf of 18th and 120th squadron. This unit was some kind of spare of material and personnel.

In January 1944 the NEI Transport Section Melbourne (NEITS) was established and equipped with Lodestars and stripped B-25's.
Its main task was the provisioning of 18 and 19 squadron. Mitchells N5-128; N5-129; N5-134; N5-142 and N5-143 were already in use asTB-25 at 18 squadron and were transferred to nr. 2 NEITS.
Section Melbourne was promoted to squadron status in September 1944: No 1 NEI Transport Squadron.
Section Brisbane became No.2 NEI Transport Squadron and was equipped with three Lodestars and five TB-25's. November 4, 1944 both squadron were merged into No 1 NEITS.
November 1, 1946 no 20 squadron was established at Tjililitan and was equipped with eleven TB-25's, e.g. N5-131; N5-138; N5-146; N5-149; N5-142; N5-160; N5-164; N5-173; N5-223; N5-237; N5-239; N5-240; N5-248; N5-250 and N5-261.
When in May 1948 the C-47's arrived the TB-25's still in use were withdrawn from use.

August 15, 1945 nr. 1 NEITS merged with the newly established 19 squadron. Initially this squadron this squadron was equipped with TB-25D's N5-188; N5-208 and N5-209 plus several C-47's. In October 1945 seventeen C-47's arrived, ten of these aircraft were used immediately. The old TB-25s were withdrawn from use. When no 19 squadron was abolished on April 1, 1948 all remaining aircraft were handed over to 20 squadron.

February 1, 1946 the so call VTG = Vliegtuig Transport Groep (Aircraft Transport Group) no 19 squadron plus all transport aircraft of no 18 squadron were transferred to this Group. Also some parts of the RNlNAS were part of this VTG. In fact it was the executing agency of the NIGAT (Netherlands Indies Government Air Transport). August 15, 1946 civil callsigns were designated to the aircraft of nr 1 NEITS, e.g.N5-129 --> VH-RDC . These call signs were applied in white and 12 inch high lettering on the vertical stabilizer. In black on a bare metal background. (See page 185 of "Camouflage en Kentekens").

RAPWI (= Recovery of Allied Prisoners of War and Internees), this was established in order of Mountbatten in January 1945. It purpose was to take care of allied POWs and detained civilians from the liberated camps.
RAPWI used many different aircraft, such as two Japanese DC-3’s; 10 Soren twin engined transporters and about fifteen single engined Japanese training aircraft plus three TB-25's, e.g. N5-129. The advantage of the use of the Japanese aircraft was the availability of Japanese fuel.

 

PVA. (PhotoVerkenningAfdeeling = Photo Reconnaissance Flight).

During the war 18 squadron started with photo reconnaissance with the B-25. A ‘camera-bay’ was installed, consisting of a cardanic mounted camera above a hatch in the belly of the fuselage. Further several equipment was installed to set up a recording cycle. Also two folding windows on both sides of the fuselage were installed in order to be able to make sidewards photographs. A nice photo can be found on page 141 in ‘Van Glenn Martins en Mustangs’ by Hugo Hooftman and on page 18, 40 and 43 in the book written by Gerben Tornij.

A lot of experience was done with this system and November 10, 1945 the department Fotodienst (Photo Service) could be established. later, in June 1946, a specific Photo Reconnaissance Section was established at Andir, no planes were available at that moment.
Later in 1946 two B-25s could be picked up in Australia. These aircraft were modified to FB-25 photo reconnaissance aircraft. The FB-25's were equipped with a vertical Fairchild K17 camera with four different lenses and with Fairchild K-20 hand operated camera’s.
January 1, 1947 the PVA was established. This Flight was mainly used for topographic photographing an for recce flights on behalf of the ML-KNIL. By the end 0f 1947 five FB-25’s, two Mustangs and five Piper Cubs were in use.
The FB-25 could be used till a height of 1000 feet. At higher level it was difficult to produce good photo's.

 

Royal Netherlands Military Flying School at Jackson.

The first B-25 operational training would start in February 1943 and by the end of November 1942 ten B-25C's were delivered to start the training of the instructors. The first B-25's were, accidentally from the original order of the 162 aircraft ordered by the ML-KNIL. When these Mitchells arrived at Jackson it proofed that the machines lacked the appropriate wiring for the used Sperry bomb sight. The machines were returned to the factory at Kansan city. The first aircraft took a week for this modification.
This was to long, so the other aircraft were modified at Jackson. In April just four Mitchells were modified.

Another ten aircraft were requested. So five B-25D plus five B-25C aircraft were delivered in April and May 1943. These second series had the Sperry bomb sight already built in, so the operation training could start at last. In October 1943 another ten aircraft were requested because of the end date of the training. Several Mitchells were not in use because of technical inspection and overhaul. These ten aircraft were on loan from AAFFTC, the twenty aircraft delivered earlier, were delivered under lend-lease conditions. This third batch were all of the type B-25G, with a 75 mm gun in the nose. These B-25G's were official US aircraft and retained their US serials and markings. There is one photo of an B-25G with Dutch markings, these markings were applied because of a visit of her royal highness princess Juliana.

One B-25D and one B-25G were lost and when the training was finished, all Mitchells were returned via "reverse lend-lease"to the USAF.

The book ‘The Royal Netherlands Military Flying School 1942 – 1944’ written in Dutch by O.G. Ward, P.C.Boer and G.J.Casius offers an extensive overview of the History. of RNMFS.

Post-war Action.

The Second World War has ended and the Dutch B-25's had to fight again, now the opposites were Indonesian nationalists.

Several Dutch units were equipped with the Mitchell. Nr. 16 squadron was founded in November 1946 and equipped with nine Mitchells. It was based at Palembang until the squadron merged in August 1948 with nr. 18 squadron.
A training unit used twelve B-25's and was based at Biak from mid 1946 till August 1948, in order to train ex POW's and new recruited pilot from the Netherlands.
In 1946 several B-25J’s were modified and equipped with with a strafer nose. At that time most Mitchells had the turrets and also other armament removed, mainly because of lack of spare parts. The Mitchells were allowed to fly no more than 15 hours a month.
This lack of spare parts was caused by of the financial situation of the Netherlands and Dutch East Indies.

The Indonesian Republic was formally founded December 27, 1949 (from a official Dutch point of view; the Indonesian state the Republic was founded in August 1945, when the Japanese capitulated). No. 18 Squadron was dismissed in June 1950. In the period between 1945 and 1950 twenty aircraft were written off, so in June 1950 about 41 aircraft were left and handed over to the AURI (Angkatan Udara Republik Indonesia).

The B-25J Mitchell of the SKHV.

In 1942 staat in Camp Columbia te Australië deze middelzware Mitchell B-25 bommenwerper die eerder bij de ML-KNIL in gebruik was en omgebouwd werd tot een transportvliegtuig voor de Netherlands Oost-Indische Transportdienst (Netherlands East Indies Transport Service (NEITS)). De neus werd afgesloten en de koepels en de gehele bewapening werd verwijderd.
In 1942  this medium Mitchell B-25 bomber stands at Camp Columbia to Australia, while it had been used earlier in the ML-KNIL (NEIAF) and after it was converted into a transport plane for the Netherlands East Indies Transport Service (NEITS). The nose was sealed and the domes and the whole armament was removed.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Voorbereidingen voor het maken van een karteringsvlucht door een B-25D Mitchell van het ML-KNIL in Nederlands-Indië.
Preparations for a mapping flight by a FB-25D Mitchell of the ML-KNIL [NEIAF). 
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
North American B-25J Mitchell  middelzware bommenwerper van Sq. 18 van de ML/KNIL op de vliegbasis Tjililitan, NOI
North American B-25J Mitchell medium bomber of no 18 squadron NEIAF at air base Tjililitan.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Nachtelijke opname van een North American B-25 D Mitchell middelzware bommenwerper van SQ 18 van de ML/KNIL
Night shot of a North American FB-25 Mitchell of Ml-KNIL (NEIAF). 
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Een formatie North American B-25 J Mitchell middelzware bommenwerpers van het in 1946 geformeerde SQ 16 van de ML/KNIL. De mitrailleurskoepel achter de cokpit werd bij de verbouwing tot
A North American B-25J formation Mitchell medium bombers of no 16 squadron ML-KNIL (NEIAF). The turret behind the cockpit was removed when the aircraft were modified to "Strafer."
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Opstelling  12,7 mm mitrailleurs  (Colt Browning .050) in de Mitchell bommenwerpoers van de ML/KNIL
Strafer nose of a B-25 of Ml-KNIl (NEIAF).
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Een B-25 bommenwerper van de Militaire Luchtvaart van het Koninklijk Nederlands-Indisch Leger (ML-KNIL).
A B-25 bomber of the ML-KNIL 9NEIAF).
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Bemanning staande voor een North American B-25 Mitchell middelzware bommenwerper (N5 squadron, registratie 261) en gereed voor een vlucht van Batavia naar Bandoeng in sept 1946.
Crew standing before a North American B-25 Mitchell serial N5-261 and ready for a flight from Batavia to Bandung in September 1946.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Verblijf en optreden van het 8e (4e) Bataljon Regiment Stoottroepen in Nederlands-Indië. Mitchell B-25 van de Militaire Luchtvaart KNIL met registratie N5-252.
Mitchell B-25 of ML-KNIL [NEIAF] with serial N5-252.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]

 


The aircraft delivered in March 1942 in India an Australia still had the orange triangle as Dutch national marking applied. As far as i know only a few publicity photos from North American, exist showing Mitchell  N5-126 with several other B-25Cs.
The triangles were very soon replaced with de Dutch flag as national marking.

The first B-25Cs had their serials applied on the leading edge and on the fuselage and also had the US fiscal year number (in yellow) on the vertical tail. In August 1942 the serial on the leading edge was removed.

May 1943 another changed was made and new B-25s had their serial in small white digits just behind the cockpit section and sometimes also (in the same format) on the tail. The serial near the flag was not applied.  The B-25s already in use had these change applied during their maintenance.

From May 1944, the registrations were larger applied both on the nose and tail in a white US stencil font on all new B-25s and, during major maintenance on all other Mitchells.
On stripped examples, especially the transport Mitchells, the serials were applied in black in stead of white.

After the capitulation of Japan and certain from September 1945 and on, all camouflaged aircraft received  a white border around the flag.

On August 25, 1947 it was decided to carry out the registrations on vertical tail surfaces into two types: type I,  250 mm in height and in type II, 460 mm. The factory letter and "the function number" was in type I (N5 for the  B25: N for North American and '5' for Bomber) and the number in type II.
Application of this system followed in the case of the B-25's by mid-October 1947 and was performed in white on a dark background and in black on a light (white metal) surface.

Late 1947-early 1948, the flag was again replaced by the Dutch roundel in six positions and a small flag on the tail.

Starting in January followed a comprehensive review of the registration system and the serials were changed to M numbers where N5 was changed to M and the serial number has been increased by 200.

 

For an extended overview of each (Dutch) B-25 I refer tot the book written by  Gerben Tornij.

 

Serial
Serial
2nd Serial
2nd Serial
Us Fisc. Year nr.
US Fis. Year nr.
RAAF Serial
RAAF Serial
Constr. nr.
Constr. nr.
Date in service
Date in service
Date out of service
Date out of service
Notes
notes
North American NA-82C B-25C
N5-132 N5-122 41-12437     02-03-1942 07-12-1942 After July 1942 N5-122
N5-134 N5-123 41-12464     12-04-1942 03-09-1942 After July 1942 N5-123
N5-136 N5-124 41-12439     12-04-1942 03-09-1942 After July 1942 N5-124
N5-151 N5-125 41-12482     12-04-1942 03-09-1942 After July 1942 N5-125
N5-161 N5-126 41-12501     12-04-1942 03-09-1942 After July 1942 N5-126
N5-146 N5-127 41-12494     30-06-1942 03-09-1942 After July 1942 N5-127
 
N5-128   41-12935   82-5570 20-08-1942 21-01-1947 "Donald Duck"
07-1943 modified to strafer;
09-1944 modified to transport aircraft; Call-sign VH-RDA, later VH-RDX
Crash during take off Biak; Written Off.
N5-129 M-329 41-12916   82-5551 24-08-1942 05-1950 09-1943 modified to strafer;
09-1944 modified to transport aircraft; Call-sign VH-RDB; later VH-RDC
09-1945 RAPWI
To AURIS
N5-130   41-12914   82-5549 23-08-1942 30-07-1945 07-1943 modified to strafer;
Crash during landing at Cressy op 30-07-1945;
14-08-1945 Scrapped
N5-131 M-331 41-12936   82-5571 25-08-1942 01-03-1948 "Pulk"; "Elza"
10-1945: RAPWI
03-1948 Written Off
N5-132   41-12919   82-5554 27-08-1942 5-2-1943 Crash during take-off McDonald, Australia, 5-2-1943
N5-134 M-334 41-12885   82-5520 31-08-1942 05-1950 09-1943 modified to transport aircraft; Call-sign VH-RDC
To AURIS
N5-135   41-12912   82-5547 02-09-1942 28-04-1943 Shot down near Dobo, Aroe islands on 28-4-1943
N5-136   41-12933   82-5568 04-09-1942 07-10-1943 Shot down near Waingpapu, Soemba on 7-10-1943
N5-138 M-338 41-12934   82-5569 08-09-1942 05-1950 07-1944: modified to transport aircraft
To AURIS
N5-139   41-12913   82-5548 09-09-1942 31-01-1943 Emergency landing in swamps near Tree Point;
14-02-1943 Written Off
N5-145   41-12798   82-5433 17-09-1942 18-10-1943 Mid 1943: "The Flying Dutchman";
05-1943: modified to strafer;
Crash during down wind landing at Batchelor; Written Off
North American NA-87D B-25D
N5-133   41-29724   87-7889 29-08-1942 02-04-1943 Emergency landing near Mellville Island. 2-4-1943
N5-137   41-29735   87-7900 06-09-1942 04-01-1944 06-1943 modified to strafer;
In 1943 "Aircab II"
Shot down near Tenau, Timor.
N5-140   42-29723   87-7888 14-09-1942 05-04-1943 Ditched in Darwin sea
N5-141   41-29725   87-7890 22-09-1942 07-11-1943 07-1943 modified to strafer;
Crash during landing on Mascot
N5-142 M-342 41-29716   87-7881 28-09-1942 05-1950 07-1943: modified to strafer;
02-1944 modified to transport aircraft; Call-sign VH-RDD;
To AURIS
N5-143   41-29722   87-7887 28-09-1942 1946 06-1943: modified to strafer;
End of 1943 modified to transport aircraft after being damaged during take off on 12-10-1943;
In 1946 Written Off
N5-144   41-29717   87-7882 28-09-1942 18-2-1943 Shot down near Dilli, Timor
North American NA-94C10 B-25C-10
N5-148 M-348 42-32338   94-12746 03-04-1943 05-1950 1945: modified to transport aircraft;
1947, to PVA;
To AURIS
N5-150   42-32337   94-12745 06-04-1943 2-06-1943 1943: "Pearl Diver":
Shot down Lautern
N5-153   42-32339   94-12747 04-05-1943 09-09-1943 "René"; Crash landing on Batchelor;
02-1944 Scrapped
North American NA-93C15 B-25C-15
N5-146 M-346 42-32512   93-12620 01-04-1943 05-1950 1943: "Lienke"
02-1944 modified to transport aircraft; 11-1945: RAPWI;
To AURIS
N5-147 _ 42-32484   93-12592 01-04-1943 21-05-1943 Shot down Saumlaki.
N5-149 M-349 42-32511   93-12619 03-04-1943 05-1950 1943: "De 2 C's" and "Sarinah";
1944: modified to transport aircraft;
10-1946 to PVA;
To AURIS.
N5-151 M-351 42-32485   93-12593 06-04-1943 05-1950 1944: modified to transport aircraft;
11-1945: RAPWI;
1947 to PVA;
To AURIS
N5-152   42-32483   93-12591 12-04-1943 22-05-1943 1943; "Tangerine";
Crash near start from Batchelor
North American NA-87D20 B-25D-20
N5-154 M-354 41-30584   87-8749 25-09-1943 05-1950 1944: "De Strietser"
1948 to PVA;
To AURIS
N5-155   41-30586   87-8751 28-09-1943 28-09-1944 Crash near landing on Bankstown; Scrapped for spare parts.
N5-156   41-30587   87-8752 24-09-1943 21-10-1943 Crash near Strauss Airstrip, Darwin
N5-157   41-30588   87-8753 23-09-1943 08-08-1944 Belly landing and on 18-9-1944 scrapped.
N5-158 M-358 41-30589   87-8754 28-09-1943 05-1950 04-1944: modified to transport aircraft;
1945: RAPWI;
07-1946: Flight with Gen. Spoor to the Netherlands;
08-1946 Flight back;
To AURIS
N5-159   41-30681   87-8747 24-09-1943 21-11-1943 Shot down Teberfane, Aroe-islands.
N5-160 M-360 41-30713   87-8878 28-09-1943 06-1950 03-1943: modified to transport aircraft;
1948: VIP aircraft Gen. Spoor;
To AURIS
N5-161   41-30816   87-8981 24-09-1943 09-01-1943 1943: "Missippi Dream";
Landing accident Drysdale River Mission
North American NA-84D10 B-25D-10
N5-169   41-30321   87-9486 31-01-1944 25-08-1944 Missed in action near Larat, Tanimbar islands.
North American NA-84D15 B-25D-15
N5-167   41-30414   87-9579 27-01-1944 19-12-1944 Damaged after explosion; 26-1-1945: Scrapped
N5-168   41-30416 A47-35 87-9581 27-01-1944 28-08-1944 Handed over to no. 2 squadron RAAF
North American NA-100D25 B-25D-25
N5-162   42-87349   100-23342 10-01-1944 23-06-1944 Shot down Saumlaki 26-6-1944
N5-163 M-363 42-87350   100-23343 11-01-1944 01-10-1948 1945: modified to transport aircraft;
12-1948 Written Off.
N5-164 M-364 42-87305   100-23298 08-04-1944 05-1950 1945: modified to transport aircraft;
1949: to PVA;
To AURIS
N5-165 M-365 42-87595   100-23588 04-02-1944 05-1950 03-1945: used as trainer;
1947 to PVA;
To AURIS
N5-166 M-366 42-87398   100-23391 27-01-1944 05-1950 1944: "Beth"
1945: modified to transport aircraft;
1949: to PVA;
To AURIS
N5-170 M-370 42-87254   100-20747 25-02-1944 1946 08-1945: used as operational trainer.
N5-171   42-87255 A47-36 100-20748 25-02-1944 28-08-1944 Handed over to no. 2 squadron RAAF 28-8-1944.
N5-172 M-372 42-87256   100-20749 10-02-1944 05-1950 1944: "Myra";
1946: modified to transport aircraft;
1948 to PVA;
To AURIS
N5-173 M-373 42-87257   100-20750 24-02-1944 05-1950 07-1945: used as operational trainer;
1949: to PVA;
To AURIS
N5-174   42-87258 A47-37 100-20751 13-02-1944 28-08-1944 Handed over to no. 2 squadron RAAF
N5-175   42-87259 A47-33 100-20752 24-02-1944 09-08-1944 Handed over to no. 2 squadron RAAF
N5-176   42-87313   100-20806 13-02-1944 30-05-1944 Crash in sea near Grose Island during training flight.
N5-177   42-87311   100-20804 10-02-1944 18-05-1944 1944: "Old Dutch Cleanser";
Shot down near Saumlaki
N5-178 M-378 42-87312   100-20805 24-02-1944 06-1950 1944: "Aileen", later "Joyce"; 03-1945: used as operational trainer; 12-1948: to PVA
To AURIS
N5-179   42-87307   100-20800 12-02-1944 06-03-1944 Shot down near Toeal, Kei islands
N5-180   42-87416   100-20814 ? 02-1944 1945 1944: "ADA";
08-1944: modified for propaganda flights.
1945: withdrawn from use.
N5-182   42-87597   100-23650 18-02-1944 29-03-1944 Crash near Swan Hill;
Written Off 31-7-1944
N5-183   42-87607 A47-1 100-23600 24-02-1944 24-04-1944 Handed over to no. 2 squadron RAAF
North American NA-100D30 B-25D-30
N5-181   43-3423 ?? A47-3 100-23649 30-03-1944 24-04-1944 Handed over to no. 2 squadron RAAF.
N5-184 M-384 43-3282   100-23608 15-02-1944 01-10-1948 Written Off 10-1948 (TB-25).
N5-185 M-385 43-3421   100-23747 10-02-1944 1945 08-1944: modified for propaganda flights.
1944: "Lienke"
Propaganda flights: 24-09-1944: Potshot-Java-Potshot; 28-01-1945: idem;
30-01-1945: Photo flight: Potshot-Java-Broome;
Na 09-1945 crash in sea.
N5-186   42-87608 A47-34 100-23601 14-02-1944 09-08-1944 1944: "Dominggoe 5";
Handed over to RAAF.
N5-187   43-3422 A47-2 100-23748 24-02-1944 27-04-1944 between 14-12-1943 and 17-01-1944: RNMFS Jackson; than ferry flight to Australia.
On 24-02-1944: as N5-187 to PEP
Handed over to RAAF.
N5-188 M-388 42-87260   100-20753 26-02-1944 16-05-1948 1944: "Blondie", later "Pistol Packing Mama"
1945: modified to transport aircraft;
Burned after emergency landing on beach near Tokyo and written off.
N5-189   43-3424 A47-4 100-23750 27-03-1944 22-04-1944 26-3-1943: RNMFS;
27-03-1944: to PEP, Canberra;
Handed over to RAAF.
N5-191   43-3425   100-23751   28-02-1944 26-11-1943: RNMFS, Jackson;
27-02-1944: Crash during ferry flight between California and Hawaii.
N5-192   43-3426 A47-5 100-23752 27-03-1944 22-04-1944 25-11-1943: RNMFS, Jackson;
02-1944: "Palembang I"
PEP, Canberra: 27-03-1944;
Handed over to RAAF.
N5-193   43-3427 A47-6 100-23753 30-03-1944 22-04-1944 26-11-1943: RNMFS, Jackson;
30-03-1944: PEP, Canberra;
Handed over to RAAF.
N5-194   43-3607 A47-7 100-23933 30-03-1944 22-04-1944 09-01-1944: RNMFS, Jackson
30-03-1944: PEP, Canberra;
Handed over to RAAF.
N5-195   43-3613 A47-8 100-23939 30-03-1944 22-04-1944 13-01-1944: RNMFS, Jackson;
30-03-1944: PEP, Canberra;
Handed over to RAAF.
North American NA-100D35 B-25D-35
N5-190   43-3830 A47-22 100-24156 29-04-1944 12-06-1944 Handed over to RAAF.
N5-196   43-3621 A47-9 100-23947 30-03-1944 22-04-1944 10-01-1944: RNMFS, Jackson;
30-03-1944: PEP, Canberra;
Handed over to RAAF.
N5-197   43-3623 A47-10 100-23949 30-03-1944 25-04-1944 10-01-1944: RNMFS, Jackson;
30-03-1944: PEP, Canberra;
Handed over to RAAF.
N5-198   43-3624 A47-11 100-23950 30-03-1944 27-04-1944 15-01-1944: RNMFS, Jackson;
02-1944: "Gatjah"
30-03-1944: PEP, Canberra;
Handed over to RAAF
N5-199   43-3225 A47-12 100-23951 30-03-1944 27-04-1944 15-01-1944: RNMFS, Jackson;
02-1944: "Toezoee"
30-03-1944: PEP, Canberra;
Handed over to RAAF
N5-200   43-3626 A47-13 100-23952 30-03-1944 27-04-1944 14-01-1944: RNMFS, Jackson;
30-03-1944: PEP, Canberra;
Handed over to RAAF.
N5-201   43-3766 A47-14 100-24092 30-03-1944 25-04-1944 03-02-1944: RNMFS, Jackson;
30-03-1944: PEP, Canberra;
Handed over to RAAF.
N5-202   43-3767 A47-15 100-24093 13-04-1944 24-04-1944 09-02-1944: RNMFS, Jackson
13-04-1944: PEP, Canberra;
Handed over to RAAF.
N5-203   43-3768 A47-16 100-24094 13-04-1944 25-04-1944 08-02-1944: RNMFS, Jackson;
02-1944: "Kalidjati"
13-04-1944: PEP, Canberra;
Handed over to RAAF.
N5-204   43-3769 A47-17 100-24095 13-04-1944 22-04-1944 09-02-1944: RNMFS, Jackson;
13-04-1944: PEP, Canberra;
Handed over to RAAF.
N5-205   43-3770 A47-18 100-24096 13-04-1944 26-04-1944 09-02-1944: RNMFS, Jackson;
13-04-1944: PEP, Canberra;
Handed over to RAAF.
N5-206   43-3790 A47-19 100-24116 14-04-1944 22-04-1944 PEP, Canberra;
Handed over to RAAF.
N5-207   43-3791 A47-20 100-24117 13-04-1944 22-04-1944 PEP, Canberra;
Handed over to RAAF.
N5-208 M-408 42-3833   100-24159 14-04-1944 05-1950 06-1945: modified to transport aircraft (?)
1948: to PVA
To AURIS.
N5-209 M-409 43-3835   100-24161 14-04-1944 14-05-1949 06-1945: modified to transport aircraft;
1948: to PVA;
To 18 squadron; Crash Kroja; Written Off.
210   43-3834   100-24160 25-04-1944 18-08-1944 Shot down Langgoer, Kei islands.
N5-211   43-3836   100-24162 10-05-1944 08-01-1945 Crash during take off at Batchelor;
Written Off op 15-1-1945
N5-212   43-3823 A47-23 100-24149 10-05-1944 09-06-1944 PEP, Canberra;
Handed over to RAAF.
N5-213   43-3789 A47-21 100-24115 29-04-1944 09-06-1944 PEP, Canberra;
Handed over to RAAF.
N5-214   43-3868 ?   100-24194 01-05-1944 01-09-1944 Shot down near Langgoer;
Written Off 1-9-1944
N5-215   43-3869 A47-25 100-24195 11-05-1944 09-06-1944 PEP, Canberra;
Handed over to RAAF.
N5-216   43-3867 A47-24 100-24193 11-05-1944 10-06-1944 PEP, Canberra;
Handed over to RAAF.
North American NA-108J1 B-25J-1
N5-218 M-418 43-27692   108-34705 22-05-1944 05-1950 1944: "Grace";
1949: modified to strafer;
To AURIS
N5-219   43-27691 A47-27 108-34704 09-06-1944 09-06-1944 PEP, Canberra;
Handed over to RAAF.
N5-220 M-420 43-27689 A47-26 108-34702 09-06-1944 09-06-1944 PEP, Canberra;
Handed over to RAAF.
N5-221 M-421 43-27688   108-34701 05-06-1944 05-1950 1944: "Japie"
1949: modified to strafer;
To AURIS.
N5-222   43-27690?   108-34703 21-06-1944 15-09-1944 Shot down near Langoer, Kei islands.
North American NA-108J5 B-25J-5
N5-217   43-27925   108-34938 19-05-1944 10-2-1945 Belly landing at Fall Field;
Scrapped.
N5-223 M-423 43-27926   108-34939 29-06-1944 05-1950 1948: modified to strafer;
To AURIS.
N5-224   43-27927 A47-28 108-34940 11-07-1944 11-07-1944 PEP, Canberra;
Handed over to RAAF.
N5-225   43-27928 A47-29 108-34941 11-07-1944 12-07-1944 PEP;
Handed over to RAAF.
N5-226 M-426 43-27929   108-34942 06-08-1944 05-1950 1949: modified to strafer
To AURIS.
North American NA-108J10 B-25J-10
N5-227   43-28181 A47-32 108-35194 31-07-1944 05-08-1944 PEP, Canberra;
Handed over to RAAF.
N5-228 M-428 43-28182   108-35195 01-08-1944 05-1950 1949: modified to strafer;
To AURIS.
N5-229   43-28185 A47-30 108-35198 27-07-1944 27-07-1944 PEP, Canberra;
Handed over to RAAF.
N5-230   43-28184   108-35197 27-07-1944 04-08-1946 Shot down near Kali-Banteng, Semarang
N5-231   43-28183 A47-31 108-35196 27-07-1944 27-07-1944 PEP, Canberra;
Handed over to RAAF.
North American NA-108J15 B-25J-15
N5-232   44-29021 A47-38 108-32296 13-07-1944 13-09-1944 PEP, Canberra;
Handed over to RAAF.
N5-233 M-433 44-29022   108-32297 15-09-1944 05-1950 1949: modified to strafer;
To AURIS
N5-234 M-434 44-29023   108-32298 19-09-1944 05-1950 1949: modified to strafer
To AURIS.
N5-235   44-29024 A47-39 108-32299 18-09-1944 18-09-1944 PEP, Canberra;
Handed over to RAAF.
N5-236   44-29029   108-32304 19-09-1944 29-03-1945 Crash at Merauke;
N5-237 M-437 44-29030   108-32305 19-09-1944 05-1950 1948: modified to strafer;
To AURIS.
N5-238   44-29031   108-32306 25-09-1944 02-07-1946 Destroyed at Pakan Baroe, Sumatra.
N5-239 M-439 44-29032   108-32307 19-09-1944 05-1950 modified to strafer;
To AURIS
N5-240 M-440 44-29033   108-32308 25-09-1945 05-1950 1948: modified to strafer;
To AURIS.
N5-241   44-29034   108-32309 21-09-1944 14-11-1944 Crash during landing at Canberra and Written Off.
North American NA-108J20 B-25J-20
N5-242 M-442 44-29260   108-32535 25-11-1944 05-1950 To AURIS.
N5-243 M-443 44-29261   108-32536 12-12-1944 05-1950 To AURIS.
N5-244 M-444 44-29262   108-32537 25-11-1944 05-1950 1945: "Snooper";
1949: modified to transport aircraft;
To AURIS.
N5-245 M-445 44-29263   108-32538 14-12-1944 17-09-1947 Emergency landing after bomb explosion at Andir.
N5-246 M-446 44-26514   108-32789 10-12-1944 05-1950 To AURIS.
N5-247 M-447 44-29515   108-32790 28-11-1944 05-1950 1949: modified to transport aircraft
To AURIS.
N5-248 M-448 44-29516   108-32791 31-12-1944 05-1950 1949: modified to transport aircraft
To AURIS.
N5-249 M-449 44-29517   108-32792 03-12-1944 05-1950 To AURIS
North American NA-108J25 B-25J-25
N5-250 M-450 44-30504   108-32779 27-03-1945 05-1950 1949: modified to transport aircraft;
To AURIS.
N5-251 M-451 44-30506   108-32781 27-03-1945 05-1950 To AURIS.
N5-252 M-452 44-30507   108-32782 27-03-1945 21-07-1947 Shot down Palembang 21-7-1947
N5-253   44-30508   108-32783 27-03-1945 9-06-1945 Burned at Archerfield; Written Off.
N5-254   44-30900   108-34175 19-04-1945 21-11-1945 Written Off after dithc in sea between Broome and Truscott.
N5-255   44-30903   108-34178 17-01-1945 4-09-1945 Crash at Malino, Celebes
N5-256 M-456 44-30505   108-34180 11-05-1945 05-1950 To AURIS.
N5-257 M-457 ? 44-30391   108-33666 23-05-1945 09-06-1947 Written Off.
N5-258 M-458 44-30399   108-33674 30-05-1945 05-1950 To AURIS.
N5-266 M-466 44-30902   34-34177 20-07-1945 1946 Written Off 1946
North American NA-108J30 B-25J-30
N5-259 M-459 44-31201   108-34476 08-06-1945 05-1950 To AURIS
N5-260 M-460 44-31202   108-34477 08-06-1945 05-1950 To AURIS.
N5-261 M-461 44-31203   108-34478 07-06-1945 22-12-1949 Ditch near Makassar.
N5-262   44-31204   108-34479 10-06-1945 1946 Written Off mid 1946
N5-263 M-463 44-31256   108-34521 12-06-1945 02-1947 11-1945: RAPWI;
1945: Personal aircraft Gen. Kengen;
Written Off.
N5-264 M-464 44-31258   108-34523 18-06-1945 05-1950 To AURIS
1970: to Militaire Luchtvaart Museum; Since 23-10-1971 on display.
N5-265 M-465 44-31259   108-34524 25-06-1945 15-04-1947 Ditch in sea near Ambon-Biak.

 

Royal Netherlands Military Flying School te Jackson

US Fisc. Year nr.
US Fisc. Year nr.
Constr. nr.
Constr. nr.
Date in service
Date in service
Date out of service
Date out of service
Notes
notes
North American B-25D-15-NC
41-30472   24-04-1943 21-02-1944  
41-30491   24-04-1943 21-02-1944  
41-30499   24-04-1943 21-02-1944  
41-30500   24-04-1943 26-01-1944 Crash near Panama City
41-30501   24-04-1943 02-03-1944  
North American B-25C-5NA
42-53394   19-11-1942 24-02-1944  
42-53395   24-01-1943 07-03-1944  
42-53395   19-11-1942 06-03-1944  
42-53397   19-11-1942 07-03-1944  
42-53398   05-11-1942 21-02-1944  
42-53407   26-11-1942 21-02-1944  
42-53490   10-12-1942 21-02-1944  
42-53491   10-12-1942 09-02-1944  
42-53492   13-12-1942 08-03-1944  
42-53493   11-12-1942 08-02-1944  
North American B-25C-25-NA
42-64781   22-05-1943 10-03-1944  
42-64782   22-05-1943 03-03-1944  
42-64783   22-05-1943 21-02-1944  
42-64784   22-05-1943 21-02-1944  
42-64785   22-05-1943 02-03-1944  

 


1/72nd Scale

The Airfix, Matchbox and the old Frog/Novo-models are not recommended to built a good model of the Mitchell. To built a accurate 1/72nd scale model of the B-25C/D version, you can use the Italeri kits. Hasegawa released a very nice and accurate kit of the B-25J version in 2004.

C- and D-versions:

In order to built an B-25C/D, based on the Italeri kit, of no 18 squadron NEI, the window just behind the canopy (part no 12) need to be reduced to half its size. The corners must be more rounded. Also this windows was somewhat bulgy (according to the photos of the real aircraft).

The windows, part 21, were, as far as i could see on photos, not present on the first C models. Also the oval windows (the parts just near part 12 in the frame of the kit) were present on the early C-versions.

The blister, part no 20, just aft the cockpit, was not present on the early C-models.

The most radical modification of the kit is that a small angle on top of the fuselage must be added. Remove a V shaped part from the fuselage. This must be about 2 mm at the end of the fuselage and zero millimetre near the ventral turret. Because of this modification you had to reshape the radome of the tail.

See the drawings.

 

NorthAmerican_B-25c-leftside_correction-SMALL
Correction fuselage B-25C model Italeri

 

Later the aircraft had an extra fixed .50 inch machine gun added to the nose, so two fixed plus one movable machine gun were present. The kit has just on single machine gun, so check your scrap box or buy the guns in an accessory kit.

D-modified:

The B-25D-20 and later had additional gun packs added plus two machine guns pointing out of the windows just behind the wings. These windows are the same as used on the B-25J. Note that the location of these windows was identical!

Also these aircraft had an addition gun in the tail. A housing was added, note that this housing had a different shape than the housing of the B-25H and B-25J models, see the drawing added.
The Italeri PBJ-1D has a housing added with a tail gun, but this has a different shape and cannot be used for this version of the Mitchell.
What can be used from this kit are both gunpacks (parts 21 and 22). I think these packs might be some thicker. [By the way all parts for an ordinary B-25C are still with this kit]

NorthAmerican B-25d late-TailgunSMALL
Tail of a North American B-25D modified.

 

See this photo for a good impression of this blister. Note these blisters were slightly different from the blisters used on the first modified strafers!

North-American B-25J-version.

The J-version was usually fitted with two fixed machine guns plus one moveable machine gun in the nose. The kit has only one fixed gun available.

For all models you'll need to put an amount of extra weight in the front of the fuselage, to have model stand nice and easy on its landing gear.

NorthAmerican_B25_Mitchell-KNIL

A B-25C Mitchell of the NEIAF, also built about 1984. A first attempt of weathering of the model.
The reason I've used the pylon was simple, some important parts of the landing gear were broken while building the model.
This model is scrapped now.
Decals used came from my scrap box, flags hand painted. The kit used is the old Revell-Italeri model in 1/72th scale.

IMG 8644

Again the same model of the B-25C Mitchell shown above.
I decided to refurbish my first Mitchell model, which I built early eighties. Here is a first result.
I found some props and undercarriage parts in my scrap box and adapted these to the Mitchell.
The decals applied are the TallyHo decals.
I don't think the yellow serial of this set is correct as the serials were usually white, but I used the anyhow.

 

NorthAmerican B25C Mitchel-IMG 2515

A NEIAF B-25C Mitchell I built in 2013;
The is the Italeri kit, decals used are from TallyHO

NorthAmerican B25C Mitchel-IMG 2516

 

NorthAmerican B25C Mitchell_Strafer-IMG 2512

A model of a NEIAF B-25C Mitchell Strafer I built in 2014;
Kit used is the Italeri kit; decals come from the Dutch Decal set 72079.
Both gunpacks are scratch-built; the gun barrels are from the QuickBoost 72-025 "Gun Barrels" set.

 

NorthAmerican B25J Mitchel-IMG 2511

 

IMG 8655

A B-25J Mitchell of the NEIAF, built in 2012;
This 1/72nd scale model is the Italeri kit.
Alas I discovered an error when the model was finished, as one fixed nose gun was missing in this kit.

IMG 8657

 

NorthAmerican B25J Mitchell NEIAF 18Sqn Tjililitan Java 1948 AKleijn
A model of a North American B-25J Mitchell, built by Adri Kleijn.

 


The aircraft delivered in March 1942 in India and Australia, had the orange triangle as national insigna applied. No photos of these aircraft in India are known. Only a series made at factory of North American. Soon the triangles were painted over with the Dutch flag.

The serials were applied according NEIAF (ML-KNIL) instructions, number on front of the wings and on the fuselage. No US number on the tail. In August 1942 these instruction were changed. The first six B-25’s in Australia carried serials like these instructions.

August 1942 and later the serials were carried near the flag on the fuselage. The US fiscal Year number was applied in yellow on the tail. (USAF standard).

May 1943 the instructions were change and new delivered B-25's had the serial in small whtie letters near the cockpit and sometimes in the sam fomat on the tail. (See photo page 177 in Camouflage en Kentekens). The serials near the flag were omitted. Older, remaining aircraft had these revised serialling applied after maintenance.

May 1944 serials were in large white letters on the nose and tail in US style type of lettering. Stripped (bare metal) aircraft had the serials applied in black.

From September 1945 a white frame was appied around the flags on camouflaged aircraft.

August 25, 1947 the serials on the tail was changed, in type I à 250 mm heigh for N5, and in type II à 19460 mm heigh, for the aircraft number.

At the end of 1947-early 1948 the flag was replaced with the roundel in six positions plus a small fin flash on the tail.

In January the serialling system was revised and change in M-serials. On existing aircraft the N5-codeletter was replaced with M and the number raised with 200.

Colours.

All B-25's had the standard USAAF colour scheme of Dark Olive Drab, Shade 41 plus Neutral Grey Shade 43 applied. This scheme was referred to as shadow shading. The Dark Olive Drab faded quite quickly to several other colours like brownish yellow or grey, depending on the weather.
Propellers were overall black (Shade 44) with yellow (Identification Yellow Shade 48) tips à 10 cm.

End of September 1943 the code of the colour system was changed. Dark Olive Drab. Shade 43 became Dark Olive Drab, ANA 613 and Neutral Gray Shade 41 in Sea Gray, ANA 603. The colours itself didn't change.
The border between both colours was depending on where the aircraft was manufactured.

B25-C N5-145, is said to be painted all black, nick named "The Flying Dutchman" . [Personally I doubt this very much; The recently released Dutch Profile about the B-25 Mitchel states that none of the NEIAF Mitchells ever received an overall black scheme]

Early 1945 PEP started stripping the B-25's. Initally all TB-25's were stripped. Of other aircraft several parts were bare metal because of repairs, modification and maintenance.

From 1947 and on all aircraft had their camouflage paint removed during overhaul. In 1950 some Mitchells still had a partial camouflage.

 

SchemeColour nameFS numberHumbrolXtraColorVallejo ModelColorVallejo ModelAir
Standard #1 (standard USAF)Upper surfaces US Olive Drab 41 ~4088 66 X111/X112/X113 70.889  
Undersides US Neutral Grey 43 ~6173 176 X133/X207 70.992 71.057
 
Standard # 2 (after complete overhaul)Overall Bare metal          

Check www.paint4models.com for an extensive conversion table with lots of colour and paint systems.

 

North American B-25C Mitchell-1-SMALL
Delivery scheme North American B-25C Mitchell, with orange triangles; serials also applied on leading edge of the wings.
The aircraft shown, still has its original (first) serial.
The armament of the first B-25C Mitchells consisted of two .50 inch machine-guns in both turrets plus one moveable and one fixed .303 inch machine-gun in the nose.
North American B-25C Mitchell-2-SMALL
North American B-25C Mitchell; the orange triangles have been replaced with the Dutch flag as national insignia; serials on front of the wing.
This aircraft has the new serial already applied.
NorthAmerican B25c-d_vroeg-block10-SMALL
North American B-25C/D Mitchell, armed with .50 inch macine-guns.
NorthAmerican B25c-d_vroeg-block10-SMALL
North American B-25C Mitchell Strafer.
NorthAmerican B25c-d_Strafer-SMALL
North American B-25C Mitchell.
NorthAmerican B25-Schemaas-SMALL
North American B-25D Mitchell, modified with extra machine-guns in tail and in gunpacks beneath the cockpit.
NorthAmerican B25c-d_Strafer-SMALL
North American B-25C/D Mitchell, modified for use as photorecce
NorthAmerican B25-Schemaas-SMALL
North American B-25C/D Mitchell, modified for use as photorecce.
NorthAmerican B25c-d_Strafer-SMALL
North American B-25D Mitchell N5-185, used for two pamphlet-flights.
NorthAmerican B25-Schemaas-SMALL
North American TB-25C Mitchell, modified (all armament removed and partial stripped from paint) for use as transporter.
NorthAmerican B25c-d_Strafer-SMALL
North American TB-25C Mitchell, modified (all armament removed and partial stripped from paint) for use as transporter.
NorthAmerican B25-Schemaas-SMALL
North American B-25J Mitchell.
North American B-25J Mitchell-1B
North American B-25J Mitchell.
NorthAmerican B25-Schemaas-SMALL
North American B-25J Mitchell, partially stripped from paint (this could vary very much).
NorthAmerican B25c-d_Strafer-SMALL
North American B-25J Mitchell, completely stripped and dorsal turret removed.
NorthAmerican B25-Schemaas-SMALL
North American B-25K Mitchell.

 


Literature.

70 Jaar Marine-LuchtvaartDienst Nico Geldhof Pag. 79 - 81 1987 Uitgeverij Eisma b.v., Leeuwarden
85 JAAR Marineluchtvaartdienst in beeld Van Farman tot NH 90 Helikopter Peter Korbee Pag. 80 - 81 2002 Uitgever: Korbee MLD Promotie, Valkenburg
Aircraft Number 34 B-25 Mitchell in action Ernest R. McDowell Pag. 12 - 28; 33 - 42 1978 Uitgever: Squadron/Signal Publications Inc., Carrolton, Texas
Air Enthusiast 26: Dutch Mitchells in the far east Geoffrey J. Thomas Pag. 45 - 53 1984 Uitgever: Pilot Press Ltd., Bromley, Kent
AVIA: 41e jaargang nummer 12: Luchtvloot van Plastic: De ML-KNIL B-25J Mitchell Hans Loeber Pag. 454 - 456 1982 Uitgevers Wyt, Rotterdam
Cockpit, nummer 9,September 1966 jaargang 7, oktober 1966: Herinneringen aan de B-25. Hugo Hooftman Hugo Hooftman Pag. 340 - 345 1-10-1966 COCKPIT-uitgeverij, Bennekom
Cockpit, nummer 12 1966 jaargang 7, December 1996: Herinneringen aan de B-25 vervolg Hugo Hooftman Pag. 480 - 482   COCKPIT-uitgeverij, Bennekom
D-DAY, Het Nederlandse vliegtuigsquadron 320 was erbij H.J.E. van der Kop Pag. 1984 Uitgever: De Boer Maritiem, Bennekom
De Nederlandse "Mitchells" De geschiedenis van de B-25 bommenwerper in Nederlandse dienst G.J. Tornij Pag.  1999 Uitgever: G.J.Tornij, Hilversum
Dutch Military Aviation 1945-1978 Paul A. Jackson Pag. 94; 122; 1978 Uitgever: Midland Countries Publications, Leicester
Luchtvaartwereld; 3e jaargang nummer 3: De vliegtuigen van Jackson Gerard Casius Pag. 82 - 92 1986 Uitgeverij Ten Brink, Meppel
Luchtvaartwereld; 3e jaargang nummer 4: De vliegtuigen van Jackson (2) Gerard Casius Pag. 1986 Uitgeverij Ten Brink, Meppel
Militaire Luchtvaart in Nederlandsch-Indië in beeld Deel 2 Hugo Hooftman Pag. 61 - 71; 72 - 82; 84 - 87 1981 Uitgever: Europese Bibliotheek, Zaltbommel
Modelbouw in Plastic jaargang 7, nummer 3: De MLD Mitchell. Hendriks, Ad Pag. 76 - 78 1978 Uitgever: I.P.M.S. Nederland, Nederland
Modelbouw in Plastic jaargang 15, nummer 4: B-25 Mitchell deel 1: De Mitchell en de MLD Wim Nijenhuis Pag. 90 - 97 1986 Uitgever: I.P.M.S. Nederland, Nederland
Modelbouw in Plastic jaargang 16, nummer 1: De Mitchell bij het ML-KNIL Wim Nijenhuis Pag. 2 - 9 1987 Uitgever: I.P.M.S. Nederland, Nederland
Modelbouw in Plastic jaargang 16, nummer 1: Aanvulling op Mitchell deel 1 Burgerhout, R.V.P. Pag. 9 1987 Uitgever: I.P.M.S. Nederland, Nederland
Modelbouw in Plastic jaargang 16, nummer 2: De Mitchell deel 3 Wim Nijenhuis Pag. 31 - 39 1987 Uitgever: I.P.M.S. Nederland, Nederland
Modelbouw in Plastic jaargang 19, nummer 4: Warbird in Nederland Wim Nijenhuis Pag. 1990 Uitgever: I.P.M.S. Nederland, Nederland
Nederlandse Marinevliegtuigen Thijs Postma & Nico Geldhof Pag. 36 1978 Uitgever: Omniboek, 's Gravenhage
Nieuwsbrief nummer 56 - januari 1996: De North American B-25C/D Mitchell II (van de MLD) Nico Geldhof Pag. 15 - 22 1996 Uitgever: St. Vrienden v.h. Mil. Luchtv. Museum, Soesterberg
Squadrons van de Koninklijke Luchtmacht Willem Helfferich Pag. 42 1983 Uitgever: Unieboek b.v., Houten
Squadrons van de Koninklijke Luchtmacht (derde herzien druk) Willem Helfferich Pag. 21; 43 1994 Uitgevers Wyt, Rotterdam
The Royal Netherlands Military Flying School 1942-1944 Bijdrage tot de Geschiedenis van het Zeewezen deel 16 O.G. Ward & Boer, P.C. Pag. 93 - 105; 249 - 252 1982 Uitgever: Afdeling Maritieme Historie van Min.v.Def., 's Gravenhage
Vliegtuigsquadrons 320 en 321 50 jaar P. Staal & Peter Baeten Pag. 9 - 35; 49 - 51 1990 Uitgever: Afdeling Maritieme Historie van Min.v.Def., 's Gravenhage
Zestig jaar Marineluchtvaartdienst in Beeld. Hugo Hooftman Pag. 84 - 88 1977 Uitgever: Europese Bibliotheek, Zaltbommel
Early B-25s MLKNIL P.C. Boer   11-2014  

 

Websites.

Special thanks to mr Akkha Vardhana, Indonesia for some corrections and additons of the serial overview. Further I want to thank Yudi Supri for attending me on some corrections regarding the first B-25s  and to mr. G.J. Tornij for supllying me with infomration on this same subject.