B-25 Carrier Launches

Most everyone knows that on April 18, 1942, Lieutenant Colonel "Jimmy" Doolittle led 15 other B-25 Mitchell bombers off the deck of the CV-8 U.S. S. Hornet for his "Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo" raid. Most people do not know that it was not the first time in history a B-25 was launched off a carrier, nor would it be the last. Over the years, B-25 bombers have been launched off carriers for secret testing, tributes, and filming. I have assembled a complete listing of which B-25 bombers have launched off aircraft carriers. The information below is the best information that I currently have. If you can help fill in the blanks, as always, please give us an email.

#1 February 2, 1942 - CV-8 U.S.S. Hornet: While preparing for the Tokyo raid, it was determined that a B-25 Mitchell bomber could indeed take off in the space available on an aircraft carrier of the day. At some point, this had to be tested. Three B-25 bombers were assigned to the task. They flew to meet the Hornet currently on her way to Virginia. They arrived 1 week prior to her scheduled arrival. They spent that week practicing their short field take off technique. During this practice, one of the B-25's lost an engine and could not be repaired in time. On February 2, 1942, their intentions unknown to the crew, the two remaining B-25B bombers were loaded on the deck of the U.S.S. Hornet at Norfolk, Virginia. February 2, 1942, at 1:27 p.m., Lt. John Fitzgerald was given the signal to launch. He flew off the carrier without incident. Twenty minutes later, Lt. James F. McCarthy used only 275 feet of the carrier to launch his B-25 into the air. During the launches, general quarters was sounded as a periscope from a submarine was spotted. A quick and decisive attack was launched and an oil slick was soon seen, but the periscope remained. Investigation into the matter reviled they had just attacked a previously sunken merchant ship. The all clear was sounded as the bombers continued back to land at an airbase in Virginia.

#2 April 18, 1942 - CV-8 U.S.S. Hornet: Having successfully launched 2 B-25 bombers from the deck of an aircraft carrier, 16 B-25 bombers were loaded on the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Hornet on April 1, 1942 at Naval Air Station Alameda. On April 18, 1942 those 16 B-25B-NA Mitchell bombers would be launched on a daring raid over mainland Tokyo. Although only limited damage was done, the raid was a complete success by forcing the Japanese to rethink their strategy. They increased their resolve to capture Midway Island, resulting in a defeat at the Battle of Midway.

Model	SN	NAA #	Take-off #	Pilot	Flying As
B-25B-NA	40-2344	62-3013	1	Lt. Col. James H. Doolittle
B-25B-NA	40-2292	62-2961	2	Lt. Travis Hoover
B-25B-NA	40-2270	62-2939	3	Lt. Robert M. Gray	Whiskey Pete
B-25B-NA	40-2282	62-2951	4	Lt. Everett W. Holstrom
B-25B-NA	40-2283	62-2952	5	Capt. David M. Jones
B-25B-NA	40-2298	62-2967	6	Lt. Dean E. Hallmark	The Green Hornet
B-25B-NA	40-2261	62-2930	7	Lt. Ted W. Lawson	The Ruptured Duck
B-25B-NA	40-2242	62-2911	8	Capt. Edward J. York
B-25B-NA	40-2303	62-2972	9	Lt. Harold F. Watson	Whirling Dervish
B-25B-NA	40-2250	62-2919	10	Lt. Richard O. Joyce
B-25B-NA	40-2249	62-2918	11	Capt. Charles Ross Greening	Hari Kari-er
B-25B-NA	40-2278	62-2947	12	Lt. William M. Bower	Fickle Finger of Fate
B-25B-NA	40-2247	62-2916	13	Lt. Edgar E. McElroy	The Avenger
B-25B-NA	40-2297	62-2966	14	Maj. John A. Hilger
B-25B-NA	40-2267	62-2936	15	Lt. Donald G. Smith	TNT
B-25B-NA	40-2268	62-2937	16	Lt. William G. Farrow	Bat Out of Hell

#3 November 15, 1944 - CV-38 U.S.S. Shangri La: Late in the war, it had become common to load aircraft aboard carriers to transport to combat areas. At their destination, the aircraft were unloaded by crane. This cannot be accomplished in all situations due to limitations with cranes as well as suitable runways close to ports. Catapult launching seemed the solution to the problem. Many aircraft were tested for both carrier landings and catapult launching. The B-25 was no exception. B-25H-5-NA SN 43-4700 BuNo 35277 was modified for carrier landing and catapult launching trials at sea. The aircraft was structurally modified at the Kansas City modification center and the gear was installed at the Naval Air Material Center in Philadelphia. The tailhook was modified from a Douglas SBD. On November 15, 1944, Lieutenant Commander Bottomley made the first carrier landing in a B-25 bomber. The aircraft was inspected, taxied to the catapult position and launched. The B-25 again landed, was inspected, and launched again for the flight back to Norfolk. Although successful, American gains in the Pacific negated the necessity for a carrier based variant of the B-25.

Model	SN	NAA #	Pilot	Flying As
B-25H-5-NA	43-4700	98-21701	Lieutenant Commander Bottomley

#4 April 18, 1992 - CV-61 U.S.S. Ranger: To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Doolittle Tokyo raid, a ceremonial recreation was planned. After a memorial service, the U.S.S. Ranger turned into the wind and 2 B-25 bombers took to the sky for the first time since the war. Pilot Steve Crow was the first to take off in "Heavenly Body". Following behind was pilot William Klaers in "In The Mood". The two B-25s circled the carrier as they formed up with 5 other B-25s in three elements for a "missing man" formation. The other five B-25s flying the formation were "Pacific Princess", "Executive Sweet", "Mitch the Witch", "Tootsie", and "Axis Nightmare".

Model	SN	NAA #	FAA Reg #	Pilot	Flying As
B-25J-25-NC	44-30748	108-34023	N8195H	Steve Crow	Heavenly Body
B-25J-20-NC	44-29199	108-32474	N9117Z	William Klaers	In The Mood

#5 August 29, 1995 - CVN-70 U.S.S. Carl Vinson: As part of ceremonies to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II, B-25 bombers were again launched from an aircraft carrier. On August 29, 1995, 11 Warbirds including three B-25 bombers were launched from the CVN-70 U.S.S. Carl Vinson just off-shore in Oahu, Hawaii. Flown for her second carrier take-off again by William Klaers, "In The Mood" was joined by "Pacific Princess" flown by Carl Scholl and "Buck U".

Model	SN	NAA #	FAA Reg #	Pilot	Flying As
B-25J-10-NC	43-28204	108-35217	N9856C	Carl Scholl	Pacific Princess
B-25J-20-NC	44-29199	108-32474	N9117Z	William Klaers	In The Mood
B-25J-25-NC	44-30832	108-34107	N3155G		Buck U

#6 October 5, 1995 - CVN-70 U.S.S. Carl Vinson: The celebration of the end of World War II continued on the U.S.S. Carl Vinson in October. On October 5, 1995, seven Warbirds including 3 B-25s were loaded on the deck of the U.S. S. Carl Vinson. The next day, the ship was underway with over three hundred guests and families for an overnight embark. As the ship transited past the Golden Gate Bridge, the B-25s were launched from the deck to the delight of the crowd. Participating in this event were "Tootsie", "Pacific Princess" for her second launch, and "In The Mood" for her third. Also launched that day were a Bearcat, Corsair, and TBM.

Model	SN	NAA #	FAA Reg #	Pilot	Flying As
B-25J-10-NC	43-28204	108-3381	N201L		Tootsie
B-25J-20-NC	44-29199	108-32474	N9117Z	William Klaers	In The Mood
B-25J-10-NC	43-28204	108-35217	N9856C	Carl Scholl	Pacific Princess

#7 September 2000 - CV-16 U.S.S. Lexington: As part of filming the blockbuster movie "Pearl Harbor", four B-25 bombers were employed. There is a bit of a mystery with this one. I can independently confirm that both "Pacific Princess" and "In The Mood" were launched from the U.S.S. Lexington. I have a reliable eye witness report that a total of 4 B-25s were launched. As "Photo Fanny" and "Mitch the Witch" were also used in filming, I highly suspect they also were launched during filming.

#8 September 25, 2000 - CV-64 U.S.S. Constellation: Filming of "Pearl Harbor" continued on the Constellation. Again, there is some discrepancy here. Although the eye witness story concludes the same 4 B-25s were launched, I have been unable to confirm that "In the Mood" was actually launched. I do believe she was launched just as in the previous filming. It is also noted that for the grand premier for the movie, a B-25 was loaded on the deck of the CVN-74 U.S.S. John C. Stennis at Pearl Harbor along with a P-40 and a Navy fighter for display. A large amphitheater was set up for the showing. In attendance were both Pearl Harbor survivors as well as surviving Doolittle Raiders.