EAA P-38 vandalized,WIX members responsible

[Matt Gunsch]

Got your attention didn't I ?
Friday I paid a visit to the EAA Museum and spotted some suspicious types near the P-38, they had a ladder and had removed the photo off the left side, saying something like it was the wrong color tint and needed to be 1.254 shades more grey, so they removed it, fortunately there was a EAA docent that happened to be there and had them replace the photo, here is the proof...



caught in the act


the suspects




Afterwards they were heard mumbling something that the carbs were the wrong serial number, but that they would get that next time....

True story is that the Bong Family was having a reunion and they were refreshing up the looks of the P-38
Hey Mustangdriver, it was nice meeting you, Hope you got a laugh out if this....

[Jerry O'Neill]

Always up for a laugh Matt! Good one!

[L-188]

Now that got my attention. Fortunately, the guy in the maroon vest was there to catch them. that looks to be
Zachary and mustang driver. and Leon (the most enthusiastic docent in the gang) supervising. Good guys all.

[mustangdriver]

Haha! It was great meeting you too! The Bong family enjoyed their day with us. It was a real honor to have them here.

[jaybird]

I think the guy in blue is receiving a text from the museum curator's wife.

[Pogo]

Great attention-getter Matt!

Since we're talking about this particular P-38, something I always wondered: how was the "photographic likeness" applied to the original (or this one for that matter)?

[mustangdriver]

That was actually checking some photos to make sure we had everything properly aligned. Richard Bong would have the photos glued to the nose of his aircraft. Sometimes you can actually make out what looks like a sealant around the edges of the photos. There were two different P – 38 that carried the Marge name and photos in combat. Then there was the stateside war bond airplane. The photos would wear off due to the elements and Dick bong would get them replaced from Time to time. The photo that we placed on the nose of our P 38 is one that comes from the Family themselves. They shared with us a digital version of the original negative.

[Pogo]

Thanks for that, Chris. And good to see you around once again, been a while.

[mustangdriver]

Here is a link to the story of the family reunion. They were all so nice!

http://www.eaa.org/en/eaa/eaa-news-and- ... tes-at-eaa

[43-2195]

The real 42-103993 lies in rain forest on the north coast of Papua New Guinea. Why hasn't it been recovered? Surely it's a significant piece of US military history?