Bong's P-38J s/n 42-104380 ? ...
Tue Oct 22, 2024 4:52 pm
This first photo is relatively rare. This is the second P-38 used by Major Bong to break Eddie Rickenbacker's record. The first P-38 #993 was lost on a weather mission to Hollandia flown by Lt. Thomas Malone of the 421st Night Fighter Squadron flown out of Nadzab New Guinea. By deduction from the lists below it must be 42-104380, but I can't tell.
Aircraft flown by Bong
Bong flew many different P-38 Lightnings during three tours of duty in the South West Pacific Area (SWPA) during World War II. Only some of the specific P-38s are known when he claimed aerial victories and when the serial number was recorded in combat reports.
P-38F 12644 piloted by Bong December 27, 1942 when he claimed his first two aerial victories.
P-38F 42-12624 piloted by Bong December 31, 1942 and January 7, 1943 when he claimed aerial victories.
P-38F 42-12653 piloted by Bong January 8, 1943 when he claimed an aerial victory.
P-38J "Marge" 42-103993 piloted by Bong February 15, 1944, March 3, 1944 and March 5, 1944 when he claimed victories.
P-38J "Down Beat" 42-104012 piloted by Bong April 12, 1944
P-38L 44-23964 piloted by Bong October 10, 1944, November 10, 1944 and November 11, 1944 when he claimed victories.
Aircraft assigned to Bong
Bong was assigned at least four different P-38 Lightnings. Several nicknamed "Marge" after his girlfriend.
P-38H 42-????? (Nose 79) damaged September 6, 1943 ultimate fate unknown.
P-38H 42-66847 (Nose 79) assigned to Bong in 9th Fighter Squadron.
P-38J "Marge" 42-103993 assigned to Bong in 5th Fighter Command. On March 22, 1944 crashed by Tom Malone, 421st NFS.
P-38J "Marge" 42-104380 assigned to Bong in 5th Fighter Command. During 1945 crashed on a checkout flight over Manila Bay.
P-38J "Marge" 44-23491 assigned to Bong in the United States on war bond tour in the markings of 42-103993.
P-38L 44-23964 assigned to Bong in 5th Fighter Command.
Below is Bong's 42-103993 crashed by Tom Malone.
Below the color photo shows the s/n rubbed out.
As does this b&w photo.
Aircraft flown by Bong
Bong flew many different P-38 Lightnings during three tours of duty in the South West Pacific Area (SWPA) during World War II. Only some of the specific P-38s are known when he claimed aerial victories and when the serial number was recorded in combat reports.
P-38F 12644 piloted by Bong December 27, 1942 when he claimed his first two aerial victories.
P-38F 42-12624 piloted by Bong December 31, 1942 and January 7, 1943 when he claimed aerial victories.
P-38F 42-12653 piloted by Bong January 8, 1943 when he claimed an aerial victory.
P-38J "Marge" 42-103993 piloted by Bong February 15, 1944, March 3, 1944 and March 5, 1944 when he claimed victories.
P-38J "Down Beat" 42-104012 piloted by Bong April 12, 1944
P-38L 44-23964 piloted by Bong October 10, 1944, November 10, 1944 and November 11, 1944 when he claimed victories.
Aircraft assigned to Bong
Bong was assigned at least four different P-38 Lightnings. Several nicknamed "Marge" after his girlfriend.
P-38H 42-????? (Nose 79) damaged September 6, 1943 ultimate fate unknown.
P-38H 42-66847 (Nose 79) assigned to Bong in 9th Fighter Squadron.
P-38J "Marge" 42-103993 assigned to Bong in 5th Fighter Command. On March 22, 1944 crashed by Tom Malone, 421st NFS.
P-38J "Marge" 42-104380 assigned to Bong in 5th Fighter Command. During 1945 crashed on a checkout flight over Manila Bay.
P-38J "Marge" 44-23491 assigned to Bong in the United States on war bond tour in the markings of 42-103993.
P-38L 44-23964 assigned to Bong in 5th Fighter Command.
Below is Bong's 42-103993 crashed by Tom Malone.
Below the color photo shows the s/n rubbed out.
As does this b&w photo.