42-52169 Lucky Penny
The aircraft was named Lucky Penny after Penelope, the pet dog of pilot Nicholas Radosevich. The nose art was also painted in her likeness.
Shot down on 8 May 1944 on a mission to Brunswick. The aircraft was attacked by Germany fighter aircraft and caught fire. The crew were ordered to bail out and the aircraft exploded while they were escaping. German authorities reported three bodies were found on board the wreckage of the aircraft, the other members of the crew were captured.
Connections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
![A bomber crew of the 453rd Bomb Group wait on a jeep. Letter enclosed with print: '[Left to Right] James E Terwilliger- Waist Gunner, Luhter M Clark- Co-pilot, Carl Powell- Navigator, Lattie P Head- Nose Gunner, Nicholas Radosevich- Pilot, Edmund M Survilla- Tail Gunner, Lt ? Lee- Bombardier (Robert Burgess was the Bombardier on the original crew), Joseph D Craft- Radio operator, Robert Victor- Waist Gunner, Robert O Hanson- Engineer- Top Turret. Original Cadre- Model (Crew #41) 734th Squadron, 453rd Bomb](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-380672.jpg.webp?itok=L5hegKpe)
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 453rd Bomb Group 734th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 453rd Bomb Group 734th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 453rd Bomb Group 734th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: Bombardier, Enlisted, Nose Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 453rd Bomb Group 733rd Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Navigator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 453rd Bomb Group 734th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Bombardier
Places
- Site type: Airfield
Missions
- Date: 8 May 1944
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Crashed Failed to Return (FTR) |
Germany | 8 May 1944 - 8 May 1944 |
Revisions
B-24 Best Web, crew photo in A Retrospective View - World War II 1940-1945, by Reverend Ed Walker and Nicholas Radosevich (1995) at the Second Air Division Digital Archive, MACR 4594
MACR 4594 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database