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    This page documents a history of a specific aircraft. The details provided vary from aircraft to aircraft and are dependent on the research and amount of data uploaded to the Aerial Visuals database.

    Airframe Family: Lockheed L-22 / P-38 Lightning
    Latest Model:P-38L-5-LO Lightning
    Last Military Serial:44-53236 USAF
    Construction Number:8491
    Compressed ID:Lockheed P-38L-5-LO sn 44-53236 USA...
    Latest Owner or Location:Richard I Bong Veterans Historical Center, Superior, Wisconsin

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    Dates

    Event

    Constructed as a P-38L-5-LO by Lockheed at Burbank, California, USA.

    19 July 1945

    Taken on Strength/Charge with the United States Army Air Force with s/n 44-53236.

    From 1945 to 1948

    Operated at airfields in Delaware, Ohio, and Florida.

    18 September 1947

    Taken on Strength/Charge with the United States Air Force with s/n 44-53236.

    December 1948

    Struck off Strength/Charge from the United States Air Force.

    December 1948

    The Richard I. Bong American Legion Post No. 435 of Superior, WI requested a surplus P-38 with which to create a memorial to Bong.

    7 December 1948

    Ferry flight.
    Ferried to Duluth, MN, Army Air Field by pilot Don Lopez, formally of the 23rd Fighter Group.

    July 1949

    Transported by ground.
    Towed to Poplar, WI and stored on the main street. While displayed there many items in the cockpit were stolen for souvenirs.

    Transported by ground. Delivered to Richard I. Bong Memorial, Poplar, WI.

    1955

    Restored.
    Markings Applied: 2103993

    Markings Applied: 423964, Marge

    May 1955

    Mounted on poles at Poplar, WI.

    22 May 1955

    Memorial dedicated by retired General George Kenney.

    July 1960


    Photographer: Unknown

    December 1994

    Transported by ground.
    Removed from pylons and transported to Duluth ANG Base, MN.

    1995

    Restoration started.
    Restoration began by 148th Fighter Wing of Minnesota ANG at Duluth, under direction of Lt. Col. Bill Bordson.

    18 September 1997

    Restoration completed.
    Markings Applied: 423964, Marge
    Restoration completed after 16,000 volunteer hours.

    From 1997 to 2002

    Loaned to American Wings Museum, Anoka County, Blaine, MN.
    Loaned to American Wings Museum, while new heritage center was being built in Superior, WI.

    25 June 2002

    To Richard I Bong Veterans Historical Center, Superior, WI.
    View the Location Dossier

    24 September 2002

    Ribbon-cutting ceremony with rededication by ferry pilot Don Lopez.

    9 August 2009


    Photographer: Glenn Chatfield

    9 August 2009


    Photographer: Glenn Chatfield

    9 August 2009


    Photographer: Glenn Chatfield

    9 August 2009


    Photographer: Glenn Chatfield
    This dossier is waiting for review by an editor.This airframe dossier is based on
    unreviewed imported data.
    If you can verify the documented history or add to it with additional text and/or photos please feel free to do so by using the upload tool and the history editor.
    Credits
     Data for airframe dossiers come from various sources. The following were used to compile this dossier...
    Internet Sources
     Aerial Visuals - The Locator by Mike Henniger, Senior Editor
    Pacific Wrecks
    Warbirds Directory, 6th Edition (2013) by Geoff Goodall
    Individual Contributors
     Glenn Chatfield
    Mike Henniger
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