North American PBJ-1 Mitchell

By Htam

@ Camarillo, CA

August 2019

The PBJ was the naval variant of the venerable B-25 Mitchell bomber and this is the only known example to survive. Other than a search radar in a retractable radome replacing the ventral turret, they were configured like their Army Air Force counterparts.  This unique Mitchell is the result of a 23-year restoration by the Southern California (SoCal) Wing of the Commemorative Air Force.  Combat use of the Marine Corps PBJ-1s as land-based bombers began in March 1944, operating from the Philippines, Saipan, Iwo Jima and Okinawa during the last few months of the Pacific war.