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The ECAMS

The Daily Briefing

Crossword · Sudoku · Trivia

August 19, 2026THEECAMS.COM

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This Day in Aviation

1940

First Flight of the B-25 Mitchell

On 19 August 1940, the first North American Aviation B-25 twin-engine medium bomber, serial number 40-2165, took to the skies at Mines Field. Test pilot Vance Breese commanded the aircraft, with engineer Roy Ferren in the co-pilot’s seat. This inaugural flight marked the debut of the NA-62 design, which was ordered into production without a prototype after earlier concepts were rejected by the U.S. Air Corps.

Named for Brigadier General Billy Mitchell, the B-25 featured a distinctive “gull wing” design to counteract Dutch roll tendencies. Powered by two Wright Cyclone radial engines, the bomber could reach 322 mph at 15,000 feet. North American Aviation built 9,984 variants across California and Kansas. The original prototype, 40-2165, served as a company transport until a forced landing at Mines Field in 1945 ended its career.

Trivia

1. Which feature was added to the B-25's wing design after testing revealed a tendency to “Dutch roll”?

  1. A. A constant dihedral wing
  2. B. A “cranked” wing with slight dihedral on outer panels
  3. C. A 4° 38′ 23″ dihedral on the center section only
  4. D. A negative twist of 2° 29′ 37″ on the entire wing
Show answer

B. The evidence states that after testing at Wright Field showed a slight tendency to “Dutch roll,” all B-25s after the first few were built with a “cranked” wing, with the outer wing panels having very slight dihedral, giving it the characteristic “gull wing” appearance.

2. Which crossword answer matches this clue: Ariane launch organization, briefly?

  1. A. ESA
  2. B. TAB
  3. C. ATIS
  4. D. CDI
Show answer

A. ESA is the matching crossword entry.

3. Which crossword answer matches this clue: Three-letter code for Melbourne Airport?

  1. A. AGL
  2. B. TAB
  3. C. MEL
  4. D. ICN
Show answer

C. MEL is the matching crossword entry.