[yarddog]

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.

[jazusamo]

As a kid in the early 50’s I remember watching a show about the raid and the training for it, it may have been “Victory at Sea” but not sure.

They practiced at an Air Force base somewhere and had stripes painted across the runway, they must have allowed a little extra runway length for the speed of the carrier pointed into the wind.

[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.