Lockheed P-38J Lightning Diecast Model, USAAF 49th FG, 9th FS, #42-103993 Marge, Richard Bong, New Guinea, 1942
The Lockheed P-38J-15-LO Lightning, serial number 42-103993, was delivered to the U.S. Army Air Forces in late December 1943. In early 1944, the aircraft arrived in New Guinea and was assigned to Captain Richard Bong at the headquarters of the 5th Fighter Command. Bong named the aircraft Marge in honor of his future wife, Marjorie Wattendal. Her portrait was placed on the nose of the aircraft, and the propeller spinners and wingtips were painted red.
On March 24, 1944, during a reconnaissance flight, the aircraft suffered an electrical system failure. Lieutenant Thomas Malone was at the controls; he bailed out and survived. In May 2024, the Pacific Wrecks expedition, in collaboration with the Richard Bong Museum, discovered the wreckage in New Guinea. The numbers 993 on the wingtip helped identify the aircraft.
The Lightning’s distinctive silhouette is formed by two tail booms housing Allison engines and a central nacelle containing the cockpit. The first XP-38 prototype took flight on January 27, 1939, and the P-38J series entered service in 1943. This Corgi Aviation Archive model reproduces the aircraft’s layout and the personalized livery of “Marge.” The die-cast metal fuselage is complemented by plastic parts, and a display stand is included. It makes a great gift for collectors interested in the history of specific World War II aircraft.
You can order the JCW-72-P38-003 model airplane on our website or purchase it at our store located at 50b Khreshchatyk Street, Kyiv. We offer fast shipping anywhere in the world and guarantee the quality of every product.
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