The North American B-25 Mitchell is a medium bomber developed in the United States, and considered a classic of WWII. Rugged and reliable, it was much appreciated by the crew, being used successfully in Africa, the Mediterranean and Italy. Several models incorporating additional weapons, such as the B-25G with a 75 mm cannon for use against ships. It became famous as the aircraft used for the Doolittle Raid against Japan, in which 16 bombers took off from the aircraft carrier USS Hornet on April 18, 1942, and headed towards the Japanese coast .