A replacement aircraft arrived into the 449th on 1 July ’44. Flying on two engines with the other two barely helping, “My Achin’ Back” made an emergency landing on the beach, near Loreto, Italy, (just south of the German held territory) with Mason’s crew aboard on 12 September ’44 scattering Italian bathers. The ship was recovered by a 15th Air Force maintenance team and subsequently returned to the 449th. Still flyin in Feb 45. Not 42-52434.
