AA35316 North American Mitchell Mk.II - HD372 'VO-B' - 'Grumpy'

Some of the hardest working aircraft in RAF service during the Second World War, the Mitchells of 139 Wing, Second Tactical Air Force were amongst the first strike units to transfer to forward operating bases in France and Belgium following D-Day advances, as these rugged and capable bombers continued to fly close air support missions for advancing Allied ground forces in hostile skies. 

The most heavily used variant of the Mitchell in RAF service was the B-25C/D model, of which 538 were received - this variant was referred to as the Mitchell II in British service. One of the most significant examples of this number, Mitchell FL176 / VO-B ‘Grumpy’ was heavily engaged in strike operations leading up to D-Day, initially targeting suspected V-1 launch sites along the coastlines of France and Belgium, so called ‘No-Ball’ raids, before moving on to ‘soften up’ targets in northern France in preparation for invasion itself, such as marshalling yards, communications centres and enemy airfields. 

She would serve with distinction throughout this historic period and was famously pictured at Dunsfold having the 102nd mission marking painted on her forward fuselage. She would eventually post an impressive 125 bombing missions, plus a further two Air Sea Rescue missions, a record for an RAF Mitchell. Her impressive wartime career encouraged the UK based Fighter Collection to present their Mitchell in ‘Grumpy’ markings, when they operated their aircraft for around fifteen years between 1987 and 2003.