"489" (V1) (PIC 6)

NAME

SER

BLK

SERIAL #

RCL/#

V#-P

PHOTO CREDITS

"489"

41-29489

448

715

A1-6

N/A

Starboard (Right) Side - Lead Formation Assembly Ship (AKA "STRIPE-PED APE")

Contributor - Tom Brittan
Transferred from 492nd BG, based at North Pickenham, where it was assigned to 859th BS with RCL "M+". Flew 6 missions with that Group, from 6-15 Jun 44.
448th BG Assignments:
714th BS - RCL "M"
714th BS - RCL "W"
715th BS - RCL "V"
Ex 492nd BG, previously 458th BG, originally 486th BG. This aircraft and 42-51489 were assigned concurrently to 448th BG, at least from 11 Sep 44 through 5 Mar 45. May have been named 2ND AVENUE "EL". No trace on formation diagrams seen after 12 Sep 44. Became the Group's third or fourth assembly ship (W in a square on the outer surface of the port vertical stabilizer but V under the serial on the inner surface and V in a lozenge on the outer surface of the starboard one). No blister windows on each side of the flight deck, original open waist windows fitted with wind deflector and closure piece having a small Plexiglas window in the centre. may have been subsequently modified. Painted with bold white diagonal stripes on a background which seems to be painted a light colour, the stripes being separated from the background by thin stripes painted in a dark colour, possibly maroon. Salvaged by 3 SAD at Watton 26 - 31 May 45 - right aux spars buckled.