The 490th Bombardment Squadron (M) was constituted and authorized to be made active, pursuant to War Department letter dated 14 Aug 42. On 16 Sep 42, General Order No. 42, Headquarters, Tenth American Air Force, New Delhi, India activated the Squadron at Karachi, India. The 490th was assigned to the 341st Bombardment Group, along with the 11th, 22nd and 491st Squadrons. Prior to this point, the WW II history of the 490th is the history of the 11th Bombardment Squadron which was split in half to form the new squadron. The unit received personnel and equipment and trained with B-25Cs/Ds during Sep-Dec 1942.

Moving to Camp Moire; Ondal, India, 5 Jan 43, the squadron entered combat on 18 Feb 1943, striking targets in central Burma to delay the movement of supplies from southern Burma to the Japanese troops fighting in northern Burma. As well as Camp Moire, the Squadron operated from Chakulia (20-25 May 43) and moved to Kurmitola, India, 25 May 43. During this time they struck at bridges, locomotives, railroad yards, trackage and rolling stock in central Burma, in the Monywa-Mandalay-Goktteik region, and ranged as far north as Myitkyina and as far south as Thazi.

In Jan 1944 the 341st Group moved to China, leaving the 490th remaining under control of the Tenth Air Force. The Squadron's success in effectively 'glip' bombing bridges earned them the nickname of "Bridge Busters".

Coaster is 100mm and 3mm thick. Design prints on 2 layers, face down, so as to maximize detail. If you move the prime tower, you can easily fit 5 of these on a 256x256 build plate. This design has a lot of fine detail. Please make sure first layer goes down before proceeding.