B-25C-NA
B-25C-NA

B-25C-NA

History

Overlapping the production of the final B-25B-NA aircraft, B-25C-NA production started in late 1941. The B-25C-NA was the first B-25 made in significant numbers with 1625 being built. This model was also the only B-25 model that had entire production blocks contracted to foreign countries. The Netherlands received 162 B-25C-NA bombers. China and Britain received 150 each. This is exclusive of any lend-lease aircraft as well as any individual B-25 bombers that made their way to other countries though other mechanisms. The B-25C-NA was heavier and slower than previous models, but had a longer range. The B-25C-NA is nearly identical to the B-25D-NC. These two B-25 models were produced almost simultaneously at different plants. The only certain way to distinguish a B-25C-NA from a B-25D-NC is by serial number.

The lessons learned from the previous B-25 models were incorporated into the new models. Most visually, the tail skid on the B-25C-NA and B-25D-NC models was solid. Since the B-25C-NA was built over a longer period of time, changes were made with each production block. Some changes were implemented mid-production block as well. They were also able to make some changes on some planes and not others in the same line. This allowed for certain "custom" variations to progress without the need for modification. Some changes however, still took place at the modification centers. B-25C-10 42-32281 was modified to the XB-25E and B-25C-15s 42-32384 through 42-32388 were modified to the first five B-25G-1s. Both of these modifications are discussed in detail on subsequent pages.

The exhaust on the B-25C-NA changed over time. Initially a shortened version of what was seen on the B-25B-NA, North American also experimented with a "finger" style exhaust that acted as a flame quencher. This exhaust was prone to cracking and rarely made it to combat without modification. Later B-25C-NA production blocks introduced the hooded "S" type exhaust stacks. Both the aft top and unpopular bottom turret also continued on the B-25C-NA models. Later B-25C-NA models replaced the .30 caliber nose gun with one flexible and one fixed .50 caliber gun. Early in production, the turrets were replaced with Bendix Amplidyne turrets. B-25C-NA bombers were used heavily in combat. At the end of the war, the "old" B-25 bombers were sent to the scrap yards. This makes a surviving B-25C-NA a rare bird. There are only a handful of known B-25C-NA airframes existing. They are all static displays at best.

B-25C-NA Specs
  • Model: B-25C-NA
  • Total Produced: 1625
  • Manufacturing Plant: Inglewood, California
  • First Test Flight: November 9, 1941
  • First Flight Crew: Pilot: Edward Virgin
  • Engines: Wright R-2600-13
  • Carburetors: Holley 1685HA
  • Fuel Capacity:
    • 2 forward wing cells, total 368 gallons
    • 2 rear wing cells, total 302 gallons
    • 2 wing auxiliary cells, total 304 gallons
    • 2 side waist ferry tanks, total 125 gallons
    • Droppable bomb bay tank 335 gallons
    • 1 fixed ferry tank 585 gallons
  • Armament:
    • 1 flexible .30 caliber gun in nose
    • 2 .50 caliber guns in top Bendix turret
    • 2 .50 caliber guns in bottom Bendix turret
  • Armor Protection: 3/8 inch plate behind pilots and bombardier, under bombardier
  • Weights:
    • Empty: 20,300 lbs.
    • Max: 34,000 lbs.
  • Speed (Max): 284 mph at 15,000 feet
  • Service Ceiling: 21,200 ft
  • Range: 1,500 miles with 3,000 lbs. bombs
  • Crew:
    • Pilot, co-pilot, bombardier, navigator/radio operator, gunner
  • Production by year:
    • 1941: 1
    • 1942: 1107
    • 1943: 517
  • First Airplane Accepted: December 29, 1941
  • Last Airplane Accepted: May 11, 1943

Photos


Model NAA Contract SN NAA # # Produced
B-25C-NA NA-82 41-12434/41-13038 82-5069/82-5673 605
  • NAA Contract:
    • NA-82 signed October 1, 1940
  • Major Visual Production Block Changes:
    • Shortened exhaust
    • Closed tail skid design
    • Starting with 41-12817:
      • Added bubble "scanner" window at navigator's compartment
      • Changed turrets to Bendix Amplidyne
  • Notable Aircraft:
    • 41-12634 Oldest known existing B-25C airframe.
Model NAA Contract SN NAA # # Produced
B-25C-1-NA NA-82 41-13039/41-13296 82-5674/82-5931 258
  • NAA Contract:
    • NA-82 signed October 1, 1940
  • Major Visual Production Block Changes:
    • Added under wing bomb racks
    • Added torpedo rack
  • Notable Aircraft:
    • 41-13251 was once owned by Howard Hughes. She was converted to an executive transport post war and is currently displayed as such.
    • 41-13285 was recovered from the bottom of Lake Greenwood in South Carolina.
Model NAA Contract SN NAA # # Produced
B-25C-5-NA NA-90 42-53332/42-53493 90-11819/90-11980 162
  • NAA Contract:
    • NA-90 signed June 30, 1941 for Netherlands
  • Major Visual Production Block Changes:
    • Deleted .30 caliber nose gun and installed one .50 caliber flexible nose gun and one fixed .50 caliber nose gun. This required the addition of a metal plate on the nose to mount the flexible nose gun.
    • Installation of "finger" type flame dampening exhaust collector. This was only installed on this production block.
  • Notable Aircraft:
Model NAA Contract SN NAA # # Produced
B-25C-10-NA NA-94 42-32233/42-32382 94-12641/94-12790 150
  • NAA Contract:
    • NA-94 signed January 14, 1942 for Britain
  • Major Visual Production Block Changes:
    • Reverted to previous exhaust collector ring
  • Notable Aircraft:
    • 42-32354 is known best for her role in an episode of "The Twilight Zone" called "King Nine Will Not Return".
Model NAA Contract SN NAA # # Produced
B-25C-15-NA NA-93 42-32383/42-32532 93-12491/93-12640 150
  • NAA Contract:
    • NA-93 signed January 14, 1942 for China
  • Major Visual Production Block Changes:
    • Replaced exhaust collector ring with Clayton "S" stacks on every cylinder
  • Notable Aircraft:
Model NAA Contract SN NAA # # Produced
B-25C-20-NA NA-96 42-64502/42-64701 96-16381/96-16580 200
  • NAA Contract:
    • NA-96 signed March 28, 1942
  • Major Visual Production Block Changes:
    • None
  • Notable Aircraft:
Model NAA Contract SN NAA # # Produced
B-25C-25-NA NA-96 42-64702/42-64801 96-16581/96-16680 100
  • NAA Contract:
    • NA-96 signed March 28, 1942
  • Major Visual Production Block Changes:
    • Change to "Clear Vision" windshield.
  • Notable Aircraft:



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