Etched in history, there are World War II and the Vietnam War—each having their famous pictures and stories of heroism. In that pantheon, two stand apart in terms of utility and impact on military operations: the North American B-25 Mitchell bomber and the Bell UH-1 Iroquois “Huey” helicopter.
The medium bomber B-25 Mitchell, built by North American Aviation, became legendary during World War II. Named for early air power proponent General William “Billy” Mitchell, the B-25 could tote 3000 pounds of bombs at a maximum speed of 328 miles per hour and was armed with six .50 caliber M2 Browning machine guns. First flown on 19 August 1940 and introduced into service on February 1941, the B-25 was originally designed for medium-altitude bombing but it showed its flexibility in a wide variety of roles that included low-level ground attack and anti-shipping missions.
The most famous mission of the B-25 became the Doolittle Raid in April of 1942. Since Japan attacked the US at Pearl Harbor, America had been searching for a means to retaliate on the Japanese mainland. The bold idea of bombers launching from an aircraft carrier belonged to US Navy Captain Francis S. Low, but the leading role in conducting the operation was given to Lieutenant Colonel James “Jimmy” Doolittle. The choice of the aircraft fell on the B-25 since it had the proper range and payload. Sixteen B-25s were taken aboard the USS Hornet (CV-8) escorted by the USS Enterprise (CV-6). The success of the mission depended on secrecy, as the loss of the carriers would have exposed the Pacific to Japanese advances.
The “Maid in the Shade” B-25J Mitchell embodies the service of the aircraft during the war. This B-25J flew 15 combat missions with the 319th Bomb Group, 437th Squadron, over Italy and Yugoslavia from November to December 1944, targeting railroad bridges. After the war, the B-25 remained in service with the training, reconnaissance, and support forces until some found civilian applications in transport, firefighting, and agriculture.
In sharp contrast, a mention of the Vietnam War immediately calls the Bell UH-1 Iroquois “Huey” to mind. Conceived to meet a U. S. Army requirement for an all-purpose helicopter, the Huey made its first flight in 1956. The first models of these were fitted with Lycoming YT53-1-1 engines and were known as XH-40s. A 1961 version with more power, the T53-L-5, was designated UH-1B. This was followed by the UH-1D in 1963 with an extended fuselage.
The Huey’s role in Vietnam was indispensable; it played out as a medical evacuation unit, troop transport, and gunship. The 240th Assault Helicopter Company, the “Greyhounds,” flew UH-1C gunships and UH-1H transport helicopters. There, the Huey played its role in airlifting over 100,000 patients, saving countless lives. The cost was high in terms of lives lost: 1,074 pilots, 1,103 crew members, and 3,305 aircraft lost during the conflict.
One well-known Huey is Bell Helicopter 66-01126, which flew in Vietnam from 1967 to 1971 with the 240th AHC. Military duty was followed by both law enforcement and private operators before this aircraft was restored to its original military configuration by Northwest Helicopters, LLC. The aircraft is now on exhibit at the Yankee Air Museum as a memorial dedicated to the men of the 240th AHC.
The B-25 Mitchell and the UH-1 Huey are two aircraft testifying to the ingenuity and flexibility of military aviation. Together, they make a strong statement about the necessity of versatile and reliable aircraft for achieving mission success in their contributions toward their respective conflicts.