B-25 Mitchell question

F3V · **Posted:** Thu Nov 05, 2009 7:53 am

An other stupid question... :lol:

Is it possible for a smaller guy to go over the bomb bay in flight?

An other question...

any interior pics about restorated B-25?

Holedigger · **Posted:** Thu Nov 05, 2009 8:10 am

Below the bomb bay? Not quite sure of that question. The tunnel to the nose is tight, the space OVER the bomb bay is tight as well, I will leave that question to a large guy that has tried that wriggle maneuver!
Here is the one shot I have of a B-25 interior, Yellow Rose (CAF) out of San Marcos, (Texas of Course!!!)

Jack Cook · **Posted:** Thu Nov 05, 2009 8:37 am

Do you mean the h*ll hole over the bombay?? Man that's pretty small.
Maybe possibly if you're tiny but why would you want to ??

F3V · **Posted:** Thu Nov 05, 2009 8:37 am

sorry for my bad English again :oops:

I just asked the question since I read Warbird Tech on B-25

RyanShort1 · **Posted:** Thu Nov 05, 2009 8:59 am

There's a video on youtube posted by "doolittleraid" that shows what it's like to crawl over the bomb bay in flight. I'd post the link but it's blocked here at the office. You might find it if you search for "doolittle raiders 60th anniversary" or something similar.

Ryan

F3V · **Posted:** Thu Nov 05, 2009 9:10 am

thanks

RyanShort1 · **Posted:** Thu Nov 05, 2009 9:13 am

Jack Cook wrote:

Do you man the h*ll hole over the bombay?? Man that's pretty small.
Maybe possibly if you're tiny but why would you want to ??

Small? I thought it was a nice size - compared to the tunnel to the nose! :wink:

The nose view was plenty of a compelling reason for me to get there!

Ryan

b29flteng · **Posted:** Thu Nov 05, 2009 9:21 am

It is very easy to crawl over the top of the bomb bay in flight.

Jack Cook · **Posted:** Thu Nov 05, 2009 9:22 am

Actually Ryan I was thinking about the h*ll hole hatch on the crawl way. I misread the question I thought he said in the bomb bay.

Holedigger · **Posted:** Thu Nov 05, 2009 9:29 am

The original question was, Crawl below the bomb bay? Above is much more reasonable trip for a person of reasonable size!? The beer is in the back? I'm crawling back there now!!

You can, IIRC access the bomb bay in flight, but can one actually crawl through it (if one is small enough?Good question?!?!?!)

bluehawk15 · **Posted:** Thu Nov 05, 2009 9:33 am

The answer depends on the B-25 you are talking about. Ryan is right, it is easy to crawl over the bomb bay in the Yellow Rose, BUT it has been modified from the original WWII configuration.

I would say it was possible for a thin 18 or 19 year old to scoot across the top of the bomb bay in flight back during the war. Possible, but far from easy. I don't think it was something which was intended to be done on a regular basis. The B-25's bomb bay was originally enclosed, with about a 14 inch gap between the top of the bomb bay and the top of the fuselage.

The Yellow Rose, and some others, were modified later in life, with the top of the bomb bay being cut away. On the Rose this was done to allow top filling of Myrex. Three hatches were cut in the top of the fuselage and the bomb bay was enclosed with sheet metal, which even extended slightly into the waist compartment. When we removed all the modifications to the Rose, the bomb bay was not restored. A catwalk spans the bomb bay opening, which makes it easy for riders to move from the rear to the front, so they can crawl up in the nose. Otherwise only one rider per flight would get that chance.

The same modification (bomb bay top removal) was done, as I recall, to her sister ship, which is now "Maid in the Shade". The Maid now has the top back on the bomb bay. It was a long time restoration, but she sure is pretty. I got the chance to look at her in Midland.

RMAllnutt · **Posted:** Thu Nov 05, 2009 9:42 am

It does depend on the B-25 you are flying in. Some have been modified, like "Miss Hap" and "Take Off Time" so that the bomb bay top has been removed right down to th top of the spar. You can practically walk over it.

"Panchito", on the other hand, is a different matter. It's not something I've ever tried, or would want to. I've seen a six foot two man in his fifties do it in flight, which was certainly entertaining to watch. The real trouble is you have to go head first, and there's a big drop on either end....

Cheers,
Richard

Robbie Roberts · **Posted:** Thu Nov 05, 2009 10:26 am

IIRC, During the Doolittle Raid, one of Ted Lawson's crew members, I think it was Dave Thatcher, was coming through the over bomb-bay crawl space when they crashed. He flew forward, and launched Lawson and his copilot both through the front windows, breaking both his shoulders in the impact...

Robbie

Taigh Ramey · **Posted:** Thu Nov 05, 2009 10:49 am

I'm 6 foot 4 inches at a dainty 300 pounds and I have done it but like RMAllnutt said it was certainly entertaining to watch!

The bomb bay in TB-25N Old Glory is the stock height. Here are some shots of folks doing it in flight but there was a lot of baggage stowed so they were crawling through on the side. There is more room if you crawl through the center.

Gina, Tom's girlfriend on her way back

Mark was hitting on the fuel girl from Orion and she hitched a ride back to California

A few other shots from that trip to Oshkosh in 2003

My daughter having a lousy time!

One thing to remember is that a combat B-25J would also have had armor plate that could hinge down covering the crawl way which would add to the experience. Imagine doing it with full gear on namely; heated flying suit, May West, parachute harness etc.

mustangdriver · **Posted:** Thu Nov 05, 2009 11:08 am

As you guys know I am a big guy and I have done both. The bombay was much easier that the nose tunnel.

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B-25 Mitchell question

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