Richard Bong pic

[Marc]

Richard Bong, WWII ace with 40 kills, was a lever gunner! I picked up a used book yesterday and thought you all would enjoy this pic. His rifle has one of those - gasp! - carry handles! He was a Wisconsin farm boy. He died in a P-80 on August 6, 1945 so this picture is earlier than that date.

[Hobie]

That's a Savage 99. Can you id the mount?

[bdhold]

P-38 ... oh, you mean the rifle...

[ving-thorr]

Neat old picture!

I've done some camping in the Bong Recreation Area in southern WI. A certain set of people thought the hwy exit sign for the "Bong Recreation Area" was the greatest thing ever.

Looks like a stormy kromer he's sportin' there too. Ugh, makes me homesick

[junkbug]

I knew the fighter Major Bong became an ace in was the p-38 Lightning. I never knew he piloted a P-80 Shooting Star, even for a short time. I thought he died flying as a test pilot, but never knew what plane it was before now.

Thanks.

Sean

[earlmck]

That's a Savage 99. Can you id the mount?

All I can tell is it's a side mount of some sort. Sure be easy to come up with a black eye with the scope mounted that far back...

[PaperPatch]

Very cool picture. Closer examination of the photo suggests a take-down model 99, with a straight grip.

I did not know Bong was a Medal Of Honor winner. General MacArthur pinned it on his chest while stationed in the Pacific.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUmisN0r4c0

[GonnePhishin]

Recently read a book called ACES High about Richard Bong and Tommy McGuire in their race to who would have more kills in the Pacific Theater of War, during WW2. Bong had 40 confirmed kills, and was sent home by General Hap Arnold to go and pitch the war effort [plus they didn't want to have the highest ACE at the time killed]. McGuire was still flying trying to reach Bong's record when he was killed in combat because he neglected to jettison his 2 drop tanks while trying to evade a Japanese fighter and flipped over and dove down into the jungle.
MaGuire wound up with 38.

Anyhow, Bong went back home and got a job as a test pilot for Lockheed Aircraft Corp as a test pilot on the new P-80 Shooting Star jet fighter. Unfortunately, he crashed and was killed shortly after taking off during a flight in the summer of 1945. They could never actually determine the cause but suspected something happened with the fuel pump.

Both Bong and McGuire were fantastic pilots.

[hightime]

Bong flew under our bridge. About eighty feet high and 200' wide. I'm not sure anyone else has. I'm sure you'd go to jail for it now-a-days.

Owen

[bdhold]

Both Bong and McGuire were fantastic pilots.

fantastic shooters, too.

[Blaine]

I"m guessing a 99 with a nice scope was expensive before WWII.....

[Marc]

I wonder if the picture was taken during the war. He was brought back to the States to sell war bonds during the war. I can imagine a war hero being able to easily get a 99 + scope. I thought it looked like it had a straight grip but missed that it looks like a take down.

I haven't read the book yet but I saw where it said Bong wasn't a great shot in aerial gunnery. He made his kills by getting close. Erich Hartman, the top German ace, also believed in getting close.

While you are at it Hobie, what kind of scope is it?

I just looked at the book again. Another picture is of Bong walking through Poplar, WI while on his first leave in November 1943. That would be deer season and I bet when the deer picture was taken.

[Cast Bullet Hunter]

That's a Savage 99. Can you id the mount?

First guess is Weaver. Next would be Herkner "Echo". Just not enough detail to see more than it is a side mount, even when blown up.

[ollogger]

in the 70s i use to run around with a kid by the name of
Richard Bong in Wis. His Uncle was Richard Bong the Pilot
He never knew him but did have some stories to tell


ollogger

[olyinaz]

in the 70s i use to run around with a kid by the name of Richard Bong in Wis. His Uncle was Richard Bong the Pilot. He never knew him but did have some stories to tell -- ollogger

Go figure!

Great picture.





Oly

[3leggedturtle]

Everytime I go over the Richard Bong bridge, I always keep thinking I need to find out about him up. Thanks for posting this, cuz i Have never done it till now.