WWII hero, last of two surviving ‘Doolittle Raiders,’ turns 100 on Labor Day

The Washington Times ^ | September 5, 2015 | Kellan Howell

[jazusamo]

Absolutely right.

[PGR88]

“Do the thing and you shall have the power.”

(Ralph Waldo Emerson)

[ZinGirl]

BTTT

[fso301]

I wonder if removal of the top turret would have reduced drag significantly enough?

I'm sure the machinists could have quickly popped the top turrets and riveted a sheet of aluminum over the holes in short order but probably no one on the Hornet knew what effect that would have on flight characteristics.

[Svartalfiar]

I remember they had a pilot with an original B-25 on one of the history type shows. He attempted to take off in the same distance but could not do it.

He said the reason was partly due to the speed of the carrier and also he said they had higher octane gas. He still said he was really impressed with them after trying to do it and failing.

Also, the 52s that actually went on the raid were decently modified. They had no armor, every single part that wasn't needed was removed to save weight, so they could get up to speed and take off quicker.