WWII B-25J Bomber Flight Tour Over Duluth and Lake Superior [VIDEO+ PHOTOS]
Go aboard the 'Miss Mitchell', a WWII-era B-25J bomber appearing at the 2017 Duluth Air Show. The plane is owned by the Commemorative Air Force Minnesota Wing, and does tours to air shows and other events around the United States and Canada as a part of its current duty.
As the organization's website explains, The B-25J "Miss Mitchell" served in the 310th Bomb Group, 57th Bomb Wing of the 12th Air Force in North Africa and Italy completing over 130 missions. Its legacy of no crew fatalities during all of its missions was a rare accomplishment. Prior to taking command of the 8th Air Force in Europe in 1944, the 12th Air Force was under the command of then Brigadier General Jimmy Doolittle.
The twin-prop plane has a wingspan of 67 feet 5 inches and weighs 19,480 pounds empty. It is capable of taking off weighing 35,000 pounds, and can soar to a maximum altitude of 24,000 feet.
Our cruise over the Twin Ports had us flying at roughly 2,500 feet, well below its maximum altitude, but certainly high enough to appreciate the capabilities of this aircraft and the scenery below. Go along on the ride aboard in the video above and the photos below!
This B-25J is one of several aircraft that will appear at the 2017 Duluth Air Show, including the F-25 Lightning and U.S. Navy Blue Angels, among many others.