A replacement ship acquired by the 449th on 14 April ’44. On the 27 December ’44 mission against Brenner Pass, “Fearless Fosdick” blew up right in front of “Rag-ADas”. All of the leading edges of the main wing and complete tail assembly of “Rag-A-Das” were burned and blackened severely as well as all forward facing plexiglass windows, thus effectively blinding McGrath’s crew. Instrument flying became immediately necessary, through the bomb run, and the return flight. The upper turret was rotated 180 degrees for the final landing approach at Grottaglie with assistance being provided to the pilots by interphone communication. It was found after landing that all aileron surfaces as well as the surfaces of the vertical stabilizers were burned away. “Rag-A-Das” was flown to the Gioia depot on 29 April ’45.
Pictures of Rag-A-Das
