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Aircraft History Built by Lockheed Aircraft Corporation (LAC) in Burbank. Constructors Number 422-4495. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as P-38J-20-LO Lightning serial number 44-23491. During May 1944, assigned to Major Richard I. Bong during a war bond tour in the United States. Painted in the markings similar to P-38J "Marge" 42-103993 (first Marge) that he flew at the start of his second tour of duty in New Guinea. The left gun cover had a 20" x 24" photograph of his girlfriend Marjorie "Marge" Ann Vattendahl yearbook portrait enlarged and color tinted then glued and varnished to the panel. Nicknamed "Marge" (third Marge) in block letters in a triangular shape, different from the first Marge. By September 1944, Bong returned to the South West Pacific Area (SWPA) for his third tour of duty. This aircraft never left the United States and was presumably this plane was reassigned. Ultimate fate unknown, likely scrapped or otherwise disappeared. References USAF Serial Number Search Results - P-38J-20-LO Lightning 44-23491 "23491 flown by Richard Bong during his time stateside between his 2nd and 3rd combat tours (May to Sep 1944) and used to promote the sale of war bonds." Memories: The Story of Dick and Bong: A Love Story (1995) by Bong Drucker pages 27 (third ) The Missions and P-38 Lightnings of Richard I. Bong: A Synopsis (2002) page 36A (lower photo) Contribute
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