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It's been 75 years since the iconic B-25 Mitchell Warbird made its debut

Alex LockieAug 20, 2015, 01:49 IST

B-25J D. Miller via Wikimedia Commons

On August 19th, 1940, the North American B-25 "Mitchell" performed its first flight. It would become the most versatile, widely used, and overall best medium-range bomber of World War II.

The B-25 took 8,500 design drawings and 195,000 man-hours to develop from its design to engineering phase. The effort paid off: around 10,000 of the planes would be produced and sent to allied powers all around the world.

Eventually the B-25 would become the most heavily armed plane in the world. Its eight forward-facing 50-caliber machine guns took part in legendary strafing runs which would pave the way for modern close air support.

Here are some of the highlights of the impressive B-25 "Mitchell"'s storied career.