Richard Bong Heritage Museum P-38

Paul Krumrei · **Joined:** Sun Apr 03, 2005 11:06 pm **Posts:** 1757

Pics I took last year up in Superior, WI

Django · **Posted:** Fri Aug 31, 2007 2:58 pm

That is so cool.

I always wondered how they got the photo of Marge onto the real plane back in the day. Anyone know? It wasn't painted was it? Cause if it was, that guy was REALLY GOOD!

Jack Cook · **Posted:** Fri Aug 31, 2007 3:45 pm

It was schlacked (sp) on but still came off in flight.

michaelharadon · **Posted:** Fri Aug 31, 2007 3:47 pm

Nice shots, Paul. Thanks.

JohnTerrell · **Posted:** Fri Aug 31, 2007 3:53 pm

I've read that it was a blown-up photograph that would be, simply put, stuck to the side of the nose, and had to be replaced several times.

I have been to that museum once when staying in Duluth, and it is an excellent gathering of information not only on Richard Bong but of the war effort around the Duluth/Superior area during WWII and the role it played, as well as many other veteran accounts and letters. The P-38 they have is gorgeous, and it looks down right massive as it is indoors.

Thank you for the photos Paul!

Jack Cook · **Posted:** Fri Aug 31, 2007 4:04 pm

It was engarged from a small wallet photo and hand tinted by one of the photo guys in the 9th FS. It didn't last long on the a/c. In fact the P-38 was lost not long after itself. BTW my uncle Andy Bong was RIB's cousin

Dick Bong and "Marge"

Rob Mears · **Posted:** Fri Aug 31, 2007 4:36 pm

I'd shellac that image on the side of my plane too if she was mine.

Bong was one lucky fella to net that cutie!

Bill Greenwood · **Posted:** Fri Aug 31, 2007 7:49 pm

What is the history of that airplane? Did he ever fly it?

Paul Krumrei · **Joined:** Sun Apr 03, 2005 11:06 pm **Posts:** 1757

From what I know, the aircraft on display of course is not the actual aircraft ( the original crashed as you know ) and the aircraft that sits there was never flown by Richard Bong himself.

Paul Krumrei · **Joined:** Sun Apr 03, 2005 11:06 pm **Posts:** 1757

You know I am only 36 going on 37 and yet, the women of that era, to me are just beutiful. I mean, they just seemed to carry themselves at a higher level then women of today. Now, my wife on the other hand, has sorta that mentality of how women were back then....but you see those old photos and you just seem to be star struck by how unreal they looked.

oscardeuce · **Joined:** Wed Jul 27, 2005 3:34 am **Posts:** 1021

Agreed, I'd take one Marge over a million Brittanys.

They don't make 'em like that much any more.

ZeamerB17 · **Posted:** Sat Sep 15, 2007 4:44 am

The book "America's Ace of Aces - The Dick Bong Story" has a pic of that P-38 (I assume it's that one) being towed down the street on the way to the Richard Bong Memorial in, it looks like, the '40's, going by the cars.

The ladies of that era certainly had an aura of class. I think they could cook, too!

Dave

snafubar · **Posted:** Sat Sep 15, 2007 5:53 am

oscardeuce wrote:

Agreed, I'd take one Marge over a million Brittanys.

Amen to that.

Anyone know which 'Marge' this is?

Is it maybe the Stateside bird painted up for publicity photos; the one described by zeamer above?

tom d. friedman · **Posted:** Sat Sep 15, 2007 8:13 am

i saw a pic years ago of 2 college kids on the richard bong bridge, standing next to the memorial plaque with all things........ smoking pot out of a bong!! funny, but disrespectful. ahh the youth of today!!!

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