The last variant of the B-25 to be built and the type built in the largest number was the B-25J. It used the same basic airframe as the B-25H, but without the big cannon. It had a transparent nose for a bombardier, but many of the delivered aircraft were modified to have a strafer nose that included four additional machine guns. Most of its 14–18 machine guns were forward-facing for strafing missions, including the two guns of the forward-located dorsal turret. The RAF received 316 aircraft, which were known as the Mitchell III. The J series was the last factory series production of the B-25 (number made: 4,318). Several were modified as cargo aircraft and VIP aircraft (VB-25J). The last USAF B-25 was a VB-25J that was retired in 1960. A large number were modifiet post war as TB-25s. The vast majority of extant B-25s are J models and derivatives.

I initially had no interest in this kit when it first came out. I thought it was too expensive and I did have a Monogram B-25J in the stash which was considerably cheaper. Two things changed my mind about it. One was one of the IPMS members who built the kit and showed it at a meeting. The second were the builds done here in MM, particularly that of Otis Goodin. Doing the usual web surfing, I found one at a good price, but was somewhat taken aback when it arrived as in addition to state sales tax, I was charged city tax (I don't live within the city limits), mass transit district tax, county flood prevention tax, and county park tax. I have never run across anything like this. If you have, I'd like to hear from you about it. 

The kit comes with a hefty nose weight, something that must have been a recent addition as TC's build mentions having to use other weights. It also has a pair of small p.e. frets for seat harnesses, cockpit external armor and a couple of other items.

You would expect the kit to have a lot of detail not available with the Monogram kit and while it does have a bit more, it isn't all that much. Some of the nice things is that for all the guns, the barrels are separate so those can be installed after the kit has been masked and painted. It also has separate control surfaces and that includes separate flaps. The bomb bay doors can be posed open or closed and a full bomb load is included. There are separate options for the nose guns in that you can have one or several, with one of the two markings options requiring several. The side gun packs can be installed or left off depending on which plane you are doing.

Note that there are other bits in the kit that aren't used for this boxing that can be installed if needed for your particular aftermarket decal option. There are also optional bullet deflectors for aft of the upper turret. Other options are two different cockpit transparencies. Like most B-25 models, you have to install the nose and main gear legs during construction, so it would be wise to protect them with some cardboard to keep them safe during handling. The engines are nicely detailed and it is nice that the cowlings don't have separate exhaust ports as you'll find on some kits.

Instructions are first rate and provide AK, Tamiya, and Gunze paint references. One option is the box art plane from the 501 BS/345 BG in od over neutral grey with white wing stripes and red forward cowlings. This is my favorite B-25 group and most of my 1/72 B-25s are from the unit. The other is a natural metal plane from the 380 BS/310 BG based in Italy in 1945. The surprisingly small decal sheet is nicely printed and both options have cutie nose art.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_American_B-25_Mitchell#Variants

June 2025

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