B-25 Stars & Stripes Structured Twill Cap

The B-25 Mitchell was a versatile and rugged twin-engine medium bomber that served with distinction in every theatre of World War II. Named in honour of air power pioneer General Billy Mitchell, the B-25 gained fame as the aircraft used in the audacious Doolittle Raid—America’s first air strike against Japan in April 1942, when 16 B-25s launched from the deck of the USS Hornet to bomb Tokyo.

Powered by two Wright R-2600 radial engines, the B-25 had a typical top speed of around 275 mph, a range of over 1,300 miles, and could carry up to 3,000 pounds of bombs. Its robust design and adaptability led to the production of over 9,800 aircraft across numerous variants. The most iconic was the B-25J, which often featured a solid nose packed with multiple machine guns and was used for low-level strafing, shipping strikes, and close air support in the Pacific.

In the Pacific Theatre, B-25s played a major role in island-hopping campaigns, notably employing skip bombing tactics against Japanese shipping and airfields. In Europe and North Africa, they served with the U.S. Army Air Forces, RAF, and other Allied nations. The aircraft’s heavy defensive armament—often up to 12 or more .50 cal machine guns—made it difficult for enemy fighters to attack, while its toughness earned it a reputation for bringing crews home despite heavy damage.

B-25s were flown by the U.S. Army Air Forces, Royal Air Force, Soviet Union, Australia, China, and several other nations. Its long service life extended into the postwar years in secondary roles such as training, transport, and reconnaissance. Today, the B-25 remains one of the most beloved WWII bombers, frequently seen at airshows as a flying tribute to the medium bomber crews of the war.

Why are the stripes vertical?
Great question - and you're absolutely right that the U.S. flag is usually displayed with horizontal stripes. But in this design, we’ve reimagined the flag as an artistic tribute rather than a literal representation. We chose to depict the flag as if it were hanging vertically from above, similar to how it might appear draped at a hangar entrance or suspended during a ceremony.  This vertical orientation allows the iconic silhouette of the aircraft to really shine -with the red and white stripes running the length of the fuselage, it creates a bold, centred look while still honouring the flag’s spirit and symbolism.