RAF Photo Recon Mitchells

[CraigB]

Hi All,

    I'm trying to find some info on the 5 ex-NEIAF Mitchells that ended up at 3 PRU, 681/684 Sqn in India.

I've managed to find a couple of b/w images of a Royal Blue one and a later PR Blue example but would like to know the camera and fuel tank fit on them... were they mounted in the bomb bay or fuselage, did the aircraft have a fuel tank in the bomb bay too, was the belly turret deleted and faired over?

 

I hope you can help a bit

 

Cheers

 

Craig

[Corsairfoxfouruncle]

Hello @CraigB ... It just so happens that one of these B-25’s is being built. Its down in the B-25 Mitchell Group build down page. @tonyot is the gentleman building it and might know your answers. 

[CraigB]

Thanks!!! I've just found the topic and commented  

[CraigB]

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:B-25_bomb_bay_gas_tanks.jpg

 

I found this image on wiki which appears to be the B-25 long range ferry tanks ready for fit in the factory - are these likely to be the ones fitted as the PR overload tanks?

[Corsairfoxfouruncle]

Hello @CraigB ... Most likely yes. Why have two different designs for the same purpose ? There are references to other aircraft using ferry tanks for long range patrol as well. 

[tonyot]

Hiya Craig,...... from what I can gather from research I have made, here are some pointers re these aircraft;

 

-Operated by T (Twin) Flight of 5 PRU(India),.....later 3 PRU(India),....then 681/684 Sqn`s.

 

- there were five ex Dutch aircraft, B-25C`s,...serialled;

N5-139,.... coded E 

N5-143,......coded C

N5-144,......coded B

N5-145,......coded C

N5-148,......coded A,..... later M,

 

There were later 2 x B-25`s received via the US 10th AF,..serialled;

MA956,.....coded E

MA957,.....coded K, then X or Z (conflicting reports on the latter codes)

 

- They had a 2,000gal of extra fuel in an overload tank/tanks in the bomb bay,...giving a 1,000 mile radius of operations flying at heights between 26,000-30,000 feet.

 

-Camera fit;

3 x F8 or F24  cameras fitted in a fan across the plated over lower gun position, one vertical and one on each side to give an overlapping coverage.

1 x smaller camera fitted towards the tail.

 

-Modifications/Modelling points;

ex Dutch aircraft had the mid upper and lower gun positions plated over, the clear tail position often had a mock up gun fitted.

ex 10th AF aircraft had a clear bubble fitted in the mid upper gun position and the lower position was plated over.

-Early forward nose glazing.

-Early engine cowlings with single exhausts.  

-Bulges over the outlets above the right hand wing.

 

I have found this info out from various sources as I`m currently modelling a couple of these aircraft,

 

Cheers

          Tony

 

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Edited April 25, 2018 by tonyot

[CraigB]

Great Info!!! - thanks a lot!!! I'll reply to your build thread to stop a lot of duplication