Lockheed P-38 Lightning – World Warbird News

Wreck of Richard Bong’s P-38 “Marge” found in Papua – New Guinea

World Warbird News — Fri, 24 May 2024 07:48:14 +0000

Richard Bong seen with his P-38 decorated with a photo of his girlfriend Marjorie Vattendahl (photo source: Richard I. Bong Veterans Historical Center)

On May 23, the Richard I. Bong Veterans Historical Center and Justin Taylan of Pacific Wrecks announced that the wreckage of Richard Bong’s P-38, nicknamed “Marge,” had been discovered in Papua New Guinea.

This discovery is the result of an expedition in Papua New Guinea that began on May 1st.

At the press conference, Briana Fiandt, the curator of collections and exhibits at the Richard I. Bong Veterans Historical Center, explained the importance of the discovery of this plane, one of the most emblematic of World War II.

The wreckage of the P-38 was formally authenticated by the last three digits of its serial number, still visible on a piece of the plane’s wreckage.

Surprisingly, this fragment, found on the right wing of the plane, still bore some of the original red paint dating back over 80 years.

The P-38 “Marge” was named after Bong’s girlfriend, Marjorie Vattendahl, and was decorated with her portrait.

The plane was lost in 1944 with Lieutenant Tom Malone at the controls during a weather reconnaissance mission. Malone had to bail out due to a faulty engine.

The location of the P-38’s wreck remained a mystery for eight decades until its discovery during the “Mission: Marge” expedition.

Richard Bong flew this P-38 in combat and became America’s ace of aces with 40 aerial victories against Japanese aircraft.

Sadly, he died in California during a test flight of a Lockheed P-80 on August 6, 1945.

Source: Richard Bong’s P-38 fighter plane, ‘Marge,’ discovered in Papua New Guinea.

P-38F Lightning “White 33” to return to the skies

World Warbird News — Fri, 14 Oct 2016 07:03:36 +0000

The National Museum of WWII Aviation, based in Colorado Springs, recently announced on its Facebook page that the P-38F Lightning “White 33” (s/n 42-12652) will fly again on Monday, weather permitting.

This will make it the 10th airworthy P-38 Mightning in the world, and only one of two with functioning turbochargers.

Collings Foundation acquires B-17 Flying Fortress, Bf 109, P-38 Lightning, and P-40 Warhawk

World Warbird News — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 22:22:00 +0000

The B-17G “Shady Lady” at the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum. (Photo killbox (CC BY-NC 2.0))

The Collings Foundation has announced that it has acquired several warbirds from the collection of the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum:

Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress “Shady Lady” (s/n 44-83785), which is technically airworthy and should fly again in 2017. The foundation already operates a B-17, and this new arrival will make it possible for the “Wings of Freedom Tour” to continue while one B-17 is under maintenance.
A Lockheed P-38L Lightning which should fly in 2016 after some restoration work.
A Messerschmitt Bf 109G-10, whose return to airworthiness is uncertain due to some technical problems. Regardless of this, restoration work will be carried on the aircraft.
A Curtiss P-40K Warhawk, which will join the P-40 already owned by the foundation and will probably be returned to airworthiness.

More information on this topic can be found on the blog The Warbird Watcher.