Author Topic: North American Mitchell Mk. V RAAF 24 Squadron  (Read 2612 times)

Offline b29r

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North American Mitchell Mk. V RAAF 24 Squadron
« on: February 01, 2018, 01:06:30 AM »
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 at the depot level 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-43 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" ("Kay" to the crews), 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. 

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.














Flying through intense flak on the way to the convoy, this old Airfix classic dumps her bombload and then peels off for safer skies.  Someday I will have to work on the photo studio  ;).  This old stager has more than her share of warts, but still fun to build.  Especially so, since they come already molded in What-If configuration  :smiley:

A simple conversion of a simple kit by a simple builder!

Best regards,
Kem

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Re: North American Mitchell Mk. V RAAF 24 Squadron
« Reply #1 on: February 01, 2018, 02:28:54 AM »
 :smiley:

I especially like the way you mount it using the bomb bay as a mounting point with bomb shown falling.
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Offline FAAMAN

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Re: North American Mitchell Mk. V RAAF 24 Squadron
« Reply #2 on: February 03, 2018, 04:44:07 PM »
Excellent use of one of my most fave Airfix kits (built 5, 1 survivor), love it  :-* :-*

What do you mean by your comment ; "Especially so, since they come already molded in What-If configuration. " ??
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Offline AXOR

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Re: North American Mitchell Mk. V RAAF 24 Squadron
« Reply #3 on: February 03, 2018, 06:34:22 PM »
I do like  :smiley:
Alex

Offline finsrin

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Re: North American Mitchell Mk. V RAAF 24 Squadron
« Reply #4 on: February 03, 2018, 07:06:40 PM »
RAAF got right B-25 at the right time.  Attention grabbing background story.
Presents so well in flight as you did.  Gives sense of speed.   :smiley:

I 2nd Greg:  "I especially like the way you mount it using the bomb bay as a mounting point with bomb shown falling."

Offline b29r

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Re: North American Mitchell Mk. V RAAF 24 Squadron
« Reply #5 on: February 05, 2018, 11:06:52 PM »
Thank you all  ;)  Mods were simple to do, especially the bomb drop.  Have my first Airfix Mitchell in the restoration hanger, will try to get something done on her soon  8)

FAAMAN:  This was really meant as a light-hearted comment as I love this kit as much as anyone (well, except for the brittle plastic cracking on me  :o).  I'm certainly no B-25 expert or any kind of expert for that matter.  But when I compare the kit profiles with pictures and drawings of the 1:1, I see that the canopy and upper fuselage shape is too rounded.  The kit profile of the rear fuselage also appears to match the early C version rather than a H or J.  My understanding of the reason for this is that North American raised the tailplane from the centerline when they added the tail gun station.  Another difference appears to be that the kit has the bomb bay further aft, and this may be due to the stand mount location.  I do realize that this kit was tooled a long time ago.

HTH,
Kem

Offline kitnut617

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Re: North American Mitchell Mk. V RAAF 24 Squadron
« Reply #6 on: February 05, 2018, 11:57:50 PM »
Nice build and story   :smiley:

It would be interesting to compare the kit with Airfix's new tooling of the B-25. I've got one of the old kits in the stash (always liked it after building a couple a long time ago) so I might just buy one of the new ones to see for myself.

Offline Brian da Basher

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Re: North American Mitchell Mk. V RAAF 24 Squadron
« Reply #7 on: February 06, 2018, 10:45:39 PM »
that a winner all the way and I've never seen an all-metal SEAC scheme done better!

Great stuff!

Brian da Basher

Offline pigflyer

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Re: North American Mitchell Mk. V RAAF 24 Squadron
« Reply #8 on: February 07, 2018, 04:39:00 AM »
Damn, thats a beauty, kite and story both.  Loving the whole thing.
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