The Original Aircraft of the 449th Bombardment Group
A total of 60 B-24H model aircraft were absorbed by the 449th Bomb Group into the inventory of the United States Army Air Force in the months of October and November 1943. These 60 aircraft were distributed across the four squadrons of the 449th BG. Fifteen aircraft were assigned to each of the following squadrons: 716th, 717th, and 718th. Sixteen aircraft were assigned to the 719th Squadron.
Most of the combat crews personalized their original aircraft with descriptive names and appropriate nose art. On the following pages, the descriptive name of each aircraft is shown first, followed by pertinent information relative to that particular aircraft. Richard Downey, LtCol(USAF Ret), the 449th Bomb Group Association Aircraft Historian compiled the list of original aircraft as a result of several years of research. This list was published by the 449th Bomb Group Association in its bi-annual publication "Late Pass."
For many of the aircraft, a narrative description of the circumstances surrounding the loss of the aircraft is provided. This narrative description has been compiled from records available at the Historical Research Agency and from other sources by D. William Shepherd.
Click on the Squadron number to obtain the full list of the original aircraft assigned to each squadron.
The 449th nose art collection can be found at The Nose Art Collection of the 449th Bomb Group.