Original Aircraft

Original Aircraft of the 449th Bomb Group

A total of 62 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 62 aircraft were distributed across the four squadrons of the 449th BG. Fifteen aircraft were assigned to the 716th and 717th Squadrons. Sixteen aircraft were assigned to the 718th and 719th Squadrons.

Each aircraft was given a two digit Combat Number which was displayed on the vertical stabilizers. Fifty-four of the original 62 aircraft were lost in combat.

Most of the combat crews personalized their original aircraft with descriptive names and appropriate nose art.