Warbird Information Exchange

Understand 1st B-25 carrier take-off was from Hornet off Eash coast Feb. 2, 1942 by 1st Lt. John E fitzgerald. 2 or 3 planes were loaded at Norfolk. Began idea for Doolittle Raid. Seeking any more info - more about Fitzgerald, serial nos. of planes, etc.

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Duke Sumonia

Yes, That is correct. The training actually began on February 1, 1942 with three B-25s. The three airplanes practiced short field take-offs at a USN auxiliary fields. One B-25 suffered engine trouble and was pulled from the operation. After about thirty or so short-field take-offs, the two crews were ready to try it for real. The two airplanes were loaded aboard the carrier and then the carrier steamed about 100 miles out. Early the next morning, February 2, 1942, the first two B-25 carrier take-offs were performed.

The lead pilot was 1Lt. John E. Fitzgerald, who got his wings in 1940 and had about 400 hours in B-25 type. The other pilot was 1Lt. James F. McCarthy. The airplane serial numbers are not included in any text I have on the Doolittle Raid. See the book titled: "THE DOOLITTLE RAID America's daring first strike against Japan" by Carroll V. Glines; also: "THE DOOLITTLE RAID 1942 America's first strike back at Japan" by Clayton K.S. Chun.

There were also two B-25 accidents (both non-fatal) during the course of the training of the crews that had volunteered for the mission.

TonyM.

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