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OUR AIRCRAFT: THE PBJ-1 MITCHELL Marine Bombing Squadron Four Thirty-Three operated North American PBJ-1s; the navalized equivalent of the Army's famous B-25 twin-engine Mitchell bomber. Our squadron primarily flew the older-model PBJ-1Ds, which were easily recognizable by the upper turret's location aft of the wing. These aircraft were equipped with APS-3 search radar which was housed in a ventral radome located to the rear of the bomb-bay. Later, the squadron received and flew a number of the newer J-model aircraft. These J-model aircraft were primarily configured with the standard transparent nose for the navigator-bombardier. However, one or two of these J-models that had their noses damaged were modified in the repair process to a non-transparent nose which held eight machine guns. The configurations of these aircraft and our squadron's typical markings is illustrated below. PBJ-1D General Characteristics: The North American PBJ-1D medium bomber airplane was a mid-wing land-based monoplane powered by two Wright Cyclone engines. Characteristic features included a tricycle landing gear, and a double fin and rudder empennage. In addition to carrying up to twelve .50 caliber machine guns, the PBJ-1D was also equipped to carry bombs, depth charges, or an aerial torpedo. VMB-433's aircraft were finished in the standard color scheme adopted by the U.S. Navy in February 1943—blue-gray on the aircraft’s upper surfaces and white on the lower surfaces. Basic Model: North American B-25D-25, and B-25D-30. Wingspan: 67 feet 6 inches. Wing Area: 610 square feet. Length: 53 feet 0 inches. Height: 15 feet 9 inches. Weight (Empty): 20,300 pounds. Weight (Maximum Loaded): 34,000 pounds. Engines: Two Wright R-2600-13 Double Cyclones. Propellers: Two three-bladed, full-feathering, Hamilton Standard Hydromatic propellers. Maximum Speed: 247 knots (284 mph) at 15,000 feet. Cruising Speed: 203 knots (233 mph). Stall Speed: 79 knots (90 mph). Service Ceiling: 21,200 feet. Range: 1,303 nautical miles (1,500 statute miles) with 3,000 pounds of bombs. Crew: Six (Pilot, Copilot, Navigator-Bombardier, Radio-Gunner, Mechanic-Turret Gunner, and Ordnance-Gunner).
PBJ-1J General Characteristics: The North American PBJ-1J medium bomber airplane was a mid-wing land-based monoplane powered by two Wright Cyclone engines. Characteristic features included a tricycle landing gear, and a double fin and rudder empennage. In addition to carrying up to eighteen .50 caliber machine guns, the PBJ-1J was also equipped to carry bombs, depth charges, 5-inch rockets, or an aerial torpedo. VMB-433's aircraft were finished in the three-tone color scheme adopted by the U.S. Navy in March of 1944—sea blue, intermediate sea blue, and white. Basic Model: North American B-25J-1, B-25J-5, B-25J-10/11, B-25J-15/17, and B-25J-20/22. Wingspan: 67 feet 7 inches. Wing Area: 610 square feet. Length: 53 feet 6 inches. Height: 16 feet 4 inches. Weight (Empty): 21,100 pounds. Weight (Maximum Loaded): 35,000 pounds. Engines: Two Wright R-2600-29 Double Cyclones. Propellers: Two three-bladed, full-feathering, Hamilton Standard Hydromatic propellers. Maximum Speed: 239 knots (275 mph) at 15,000 feet. Cruising Speed: 200 knots (230 mph). Stall Speed: 79 knots (90 mph). Service Ceiling: 24,000 feet. Range: 1,108 nautical miles (1,275 statute miles) with 3,000 pounds of bombs. Crew: Seven (Pilot, Copilot, Navigator-Bombardier, 2 Radio-Gunners, Mechanic-Turret Gunner, and Armorer-Turret Gunner).
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