World War ll Bomber plane available for rides in Bemidji June 15-16

The Bemidji Pioneer, Minn.
·3 min read

Apr. 26—BEMIDJI — The Commemorative Air Force Minnesota Wing is set to bring its World War II B-25J Mitchell plane, "Miss Mitchell," to the Bemidji airport June 15-16.

The tour stop, hosted by Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 1397, AirCorps Aviation and Bemidji Aviation Services, will give members of the public the opportunity to experience this amazing piece of World War II history up close, a release said.

Flights are available in Bemidji starting in the morning on Saturday, June 15, and running through the early afternoon on Sunday, June 16. The flight costs $495.

If fewer than 30 tickets are booked, the tour will not stop in Bemidji, the release said. Organizers will try to reschedule tickets to another day during the tour. If rescheduling is not possible, these flights may be canceled and a refund issued.

According to the CAF MN Wing website, passengers must be age 12 or older and participants aged 12-17 must have a legal guardian present at check-in to sign the release form.

Passenger weight restrictions apply and participants must be able to get in and out of the aircraft on their own.

Participants should wear long pants, as the metal interior of the aircraft can become quite hot, even on mild days. Closed-toed shoes are highly recommended and should be worn for safety purposes, in addition to helping prevent possible injury while entering and exiting the aircraft.

For more information about the B-25 bomber flight tour or to purchase tickets, visit the CAF MN Wing website at

cafmn.org/store/p102/Bemidji2024.

The North American B-25 Mitchell is a medium bomber from World War II. A powerful twin-engined and twin-tailed aircraft, it was used by every branch of the United States military.

According to the EAA website, in March 1939, the U.S. Army Air Corps launched an appeal to aircraft companies for a medium bomber that was able to carry a bomb load of 2,400 pounds for 1,200 miles at a speed of 300 miles per hour.

North America delivered a prototype named the NA-62. The Army Air Corps was impressed with the aircraft's performance and immediately ordered the aircraft, now designated B-25.

The first B-25s became combat-ready in early 1942 just in time for a very daring plan after a devastating Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. The idea was to load 16 bombers onto the deck of the USS Hornet and sail as close as they could safely get to Japan and launch off of the carrier and bomb Tokyo as well as military installations in the area.

"The mission would be led by famous aviator James H. Doolittle. On April 18, 1942, the task force was spotted early and even though the odds were against them, the 16 bombers roared down the deck toward history," the website reads. "The planes hit their targets and most ditched off of the coast of China after the raid. With one daring mission, Doolittle's Raiders lifted the morale and spirits of everyone back in the United States."

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, the release said.

Prior to taking command of the 8th Air Force in Europe in 1944, the 12th Air Force was under the command of Doolittle. According to the release, after a 12-year restoration by the Minnesota Wing of the Commemorative Air Force, Miss Mitchell took her first flight on April 18, 1992, exactly 50 years to the day of the daring Doolittle raid.

Today, Miss Mitchell appears at air shows and special events throughout the United States and Canada. The CAF MN Wing operates a History Flight program which gives you the opportunity to fly as a crew member on Miss Mitchell.