Please help get more answers for friend

[Tinknocker]

My friends grandfather served in Army Air corps on B-29s. He knows he was wounded with a purple heart and was on multiple missions! He also knows he was part of 505th BG, 483rd BS. Finally, he found pictures of the famous "The Padre and his Angels", Boeing B-29-50-BW 42-24839 and knows he was a crew member on this plane. I can not find any quick answers as to the fate of this plane but he was told it was lost in combat and is trying to connect the dots to see if maybe this is when his grandfather had been injured. So any help or information would be great!
Thank you Very much,
Luke

[Mark Allen M]

Greetings Luke, here's a couple of photos of "Padre" and the facebook link below would be a good start in your research. I'd suggest contacting Steve Brown from the link. He may know more about your friends grandfather's service and "Padre's" history. Best of luck

Mark

https://www.facebook.com/505thBombardmentGroup/photos


Steve Brown's quote: "This one is for Bill O'Heran of the 483rd. A shot of "Padre and his angels" (s/n 44-61700) of the same squadron. Another one from my father's album. This "Padre" plane is different from the one you posted in September, 2013. Please discuss."


Another photo of "Padre" crunched up.


I nice photo of Tinian

[Mark Allen M]

Looks like two different "Padre's" ....

Joe Baugher's site lists "Padre" in the first photo as:

44-61700 Delivered to USAAF 15May45. Assigned to 28th Bomb Squadron, 19th Bomb Group, North Field, Guam
Accident 24Feb48 due to mechanical failure landing at Northwest Field, Guam. Missing in action 20Apr48

Joe Baugher's site lists "Padre" in the second photo as:

42-24839 Delivered to USAAF 8Nov44. Named ‘Padre And His Angels’ (505th BG, 483rd BS) in taxiing accident Jul 6, 1945 at North Field, Tinian due to mechanical failure. All crew survived, but aircraft DBR.

[Tinknocker]

Thank you very much for the fast response and the info! I had checked out the facebook page but not to disrespect facebook was a little leery using it as a source! But thank you I will shoot them an email!

Luke