Search for Dick Bong's P-38

[Dan K]

https://madison.com/news/state-regional ... 0c0e7.html

[sandiego89]

https://madison.com/news/state-regional/museum-historical-group-launch-search-for-wreckage-of-ace-pilot-richard-bongs-crashed-plane/article_fa911941-5437-5984-b640-610f3eb0c0e7.html

I wish them luck, would be a interesting find- as long as it does not turn out to be like a another South Pacific vacation/expedition like a certain other organization!

The article mentions the portrait of Marge was a blown up portrait. Wonder how it was bonded on? Long gone for sure, but was always a nice touch.

[JohnB]

The article mentions the portrait of Marge was a blown up portrait. Wonder how it was bonded on?

Years ago I read it was covered with fabric dope (on hand for control surface repairs) to make it weather resistant. I don't know if it would also act as an adhesive.

[jdeters79]

Bong's P-38 found.

https://www.wdio.com/front-page/top-sto ... ew-guinea/

https://m.startribune.com/wwii-fighter- ... lmob=y&c=n

[Xray]

Wow, that is epic.

[quemerford]

Let's hope that the wreckage can be conserved and displayed as recovered. I've already seen a question posed on another forum, asking how much the data plate would be worth. Clearly we still have a long way to go in educating people of the historical significance of artefacts beyond making a quick buck.

[Mark Allen M]

Let's hope that the wreckage can be conserved and displayed as recovered. I've already seen a question posed on another forum, asking how much the data plate would be worth. Clearly we still have a long way to go in educating people of the historical significance of artefacts beyond making a quick buck.

Well said. Hopefully no souvenir tag things will be made either.

[JohnB]

Mark
While I agree with your sentiment, it would be nice to have a few additional P-38s around.

We have lost a lot over the past few decades.

[RyanShort1]

Honestly, if it's not a war grave, get it recovered, get it indoors.

[Mark Allen M]

Mark
While I agree with your sentiment, it would be nice to have a few additional P-38s around.

We have lost a lot over the past few decades.

Are you insinuating that this Bong P-38 would be nice restored and flying? Or simply more P-38's in general flying is a good thing. If the latter, I agree with your sentiment. Also really just how much of an original P-38 (or any other recently flying warbird restoration) actually is in the final airplane?. If many of the "new built" P-51's, and a couple P-47's, are an indication, there shouldn't be too much of a logistical problem with reproducing a few P-38's as well. Only obstacles are interest in doing so, and money (lots of $$$), but the four Mosquitos currently flying should answer the amount of capital needed to get a few more P-38's off the ground. IMHO.

I'd like to see a run in production of a few more P-38's.

[JohnB]

No.
All I said is that it would be nice to have more flying
P-38s.
I know, controversial stuff.

[quemerford]

Nothing wrong with seeing more P-38s flying, but that's another discussion: the wreckage of Bong's aircraft is part of a national heritage and should be recovered, conserved and displayed in the same respectful and considered way that other historically important items are.

Just as no sensible person would condone repairing the crack in the Liberty Bell, neither should we consider the notion of "restoring"* Bong's P-38. If that wasn't the intent of the comment, then my apologies. But there will be those already afoot, thinking "Hey that's a cool idea".

*In modern warbird parlance, "restoring" means acquiring the identity of a historic aircraft, making a replica of that aircraft and then pretending it's the original item. And then preventing the public a chance to view the genuine original, if such exists after the "restoring" process has been completed.

(Am I annoyed? Yes. I'm truly fed up seeing our collective aviation heritage being mistreated and destroyed by those who only seek to make money from it. One day soon I hope it will be an offence that is liable for prosecution, but we're still in the zombie stage, thoughtless sleepwalking through what's happening. Once it's gone, it gone forever).

[PinecastleAAF]

They have found one more historic aircraft than tighar has.

[RyanShort1]

Nothing wrong with seeing more P-38s flying, but that's another discussion: the wreckage of Bong's aircraft is part of a national heritage and should be recovered, conserved and displayed in the same respectful and considered way that other historically important items are.

Just as no sensible person would condone repairing the crack in the Liberty Bell, neither should we consider the notion of "restoring"* Bong's P-38. If that wasn't the intent of the comment, then my apologies. But there will be those already afoot, thinking "Hey that's a cool idea".

*In modern warbird parlance, "restoring" means acquiring the identity of a historic aircraft, making a replica of that aircraft and then pretending it's the original item. And then preventing the public a chance to view the genuine original, if such exists after the "restoring" process has been completed.

(Am I annoyed? Yes. I'm truly fed up seeing our collective aviation heritage being mistreated and destroyed by those who only seek to make money from it. One day soon I hope it will be an offence that is liable for prosecution, but we're still in the zombie stage, thoughtless sleepwalking through what's happening. Once it's gone, it gone forever).

I essentially agree, but if the remains were recovered and "stabilized" it would be a win in my opinion. Nothing on this earth is forever, and eventually the aluminum bits will corrode away, but keeping them around longer for history's sake in a place where more people could see them would be great.

It's my opinion that some of the emotions and sentiments are quite irrational when it comes to warbird wrecks sitting in a largely inaccessible jungle location.

[Mark Allen M]

Hurry!! There’s only 16 left!

https://www.recwatches.com/timepieces/x ... ight-blue/