B-25A-NA

History

Identification of a B-25A-NA is difficult as they are visually identical to a B-25-NA. The serial numbers were also not painted on the vertical tail assembly. The changes to the B-25A-NA were designed specifically to increase the survivability of the aircraft in combat. Self-sealing fuel cells replaced the fuel tanks decreasing the total capacity by 224 gallons. This was a 24 percent decrease from the B-25-NA. Addition of armor plate to the aircraft also added 612 pounds of additional weight. These factors decreased the range of the B-25A-NA by 650 miles or 32 percent. These obviously were not insignificant changes.

The majority of the B-25A-NA models went to McChord Field to train with the 17th BG. Also getting 6 aircraft each were the 30th BG, 43rd BG, 39th BG and 44th BG. All of the B-25A-NA aircraft were made and delivered prior to the United States entering World War II. These aircraft were initially used as trainers. I have never seen any information that leads me to believe that any of the B-25-NA or B-25A-NA bombers ever left the United States.

• Model: B-25A-NA
• Total Produced: 40
• Manufacturing Plant: Inglewood, California
• First Test Flight: February 25, 1941
• First Flight Crew: Pilot: Edward Virgin
• Engines: Wright R-2600-9
• Carburetors: Bendix Stromberg PD-13E-2
• Fuel Capacity:
  • 2 forward wing cells, total 368 gallons
  • 2 rear wing cells, total 324 gallons
  • Droppable bomb bay tank 420 gallons
• Armament:
  • 3 flexible .30 caliber guns in nose, waist and tail
  • 1 flexible .50 caliber gun in tail
• Armor Protection: 3/8 inch plate behind pilots and bombardier, under bombardier, bulkhead aft of waist gunner and aft of tail gunner
• Weights:
  • Empty: 17,870 lbs.
  • Max: 27,100 lbs.
• Speed (Max): 315 mph at 30,000 feet
• Service Ceiling: 27,000 ft
• Range: 1,350 miles with 3,000 lbs. bombs
• Crew:
  • Pilot, co-pilot, bombardier, navigator/radio operator, gunner
• Production by year:
  • 1941: 40
• First Airplane Accepted: May 22, 1941
• Last Airplane Accepted: July 26, 1941

• NAA Contract:
  • NA-62 signed September 5, 1939
• Major Visual Production Block Changes:
  • Single production block
• Notable Aircraft: