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Aircraft History Built by Lockheed Aircraft Corporation (LAC) in Burbank. Constructors Number 222-7058. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as P-38F-5-LO Lightning serial number 42-12624. Disassembled and shipped overseas and reassembled. Wartime History Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 49th Fighter Group (49th FG), 9th Fighter Squadron (9th FS) "The Flying Knights". No known nickname or nose art. Squadron Number 112 on the nose and tail. On December 31, 1942 took off from 14 Mile Drome (Schwimmer) near Port Moresby piloted by 2nd Lt. Richard I. Bong as part of "Red Flight" flying as wingman for flight leader 1st Lt. Thomas J. Lynch as one of twelve P-38s escorting B-25 Mitchells from 38th Bombardment Group (38th BG), B-26 Marauders from 22nd Bombardment Group (22nd BG) plus six A-20s from 3rd Bombardment Group (3rd BG), 89th Bombardment Squadron (89th BS), on a mission to bomb and strafe parked planes at Lae Airfield. Over the target, Bong made frontal attacks against Zekes [sic Ki-43-I Oscars]. Bong claimed a probable victory and commented the Japanese were "high grade" and made aggressive frontal attacks. On January 7, 1943 took off from 14 Mile Drome (Schwimmer) near Port Moresby piloted by 2nd Lt. Richard I. Bong as one of six P-38s led by Captain Thomas J. Lynch with 2nd Lt. Carl G. Planck, Jr. on a Combat Air Patrol (CAP) over Lae. The P-38s engaged Japanese fighters defending the unloading of a convoy from Rabaul. During the air combat, Bong claimed two Oscars over Huon Gulf (Bong aerial victory claim no. 3 and aerial victory claim no. 4). Ultimate fate unknown, likely scrapped or otherwise disappeared. References USAF Serial Number Search - P-38F-5-LO Lightning 42-12624 Combat Report 2nd Lt. Richard I. Bong, December 31, 1942 Combat Report 2nd Lt. Richard I. Bong, January 7, 1943 Stars & Bars (1995) pages 154 (December 31, 1942 and January 7, 1943) The Missions and P-38 Lightnings of Richard I. Bong: A Synopsis (2002) page 21 (December 31, 1942, January 7, 1943) Contribute
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