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Bing Bong

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Richard Ira "Bing" Bong
Ace Of Aces
1920-1945

For a detailed account of Richard Bongs life see :-

[link]

A summary :-

Top American fighter ace of WWII in all theatres with 40 confirmed enemy aircraft downed.

His main theatre of operations was the Pacific where he would have been up against the Japanese Zeke (Zero's) and Betty's. The Zero's were highly manouvreable but lightly armoured with no facility for re-sealing a punctured fuel tank. The Japanese aircraft of this era were prone to explode in mid air if even lightly hit in a crucial area.

This should not detract from the skill and courage needed by these airmen who's office rose above the shark-infested waters of the Pacific - a twin-engined aircraft like the P38 Lightning he flew was the aircraft of choice in this theatre although the rugged rotary engined carrier borne planes like the P47 Thunderbolt came a very close second. Lockheeds P38 Lightning was a very stable gun platform which is probably why Thomas McGuire in his P38 "Pudgy" became the second highest American Fighter ace with 38 aircraft downed.

Sadly, and ironically, Richard Bongs' short life came to an end just as the Second World War came to its end. In fact Richard Bong died on the very day that the first nuclear bomb was dropped on Hiroshima - August 6th 1945 - he was test-flying the Air Forces latest jet, a Lockheed P80A Shooting Star.

He was 25 years old.

This submission is not intended to glorify warfare as such, but it is intended to raise awareness of the incredibly brave and courageous fighter pilots from all countries who flew for their countries under the orders of people who should have known better and should know better now.

Having said that, I, for one, am glad they did.
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truemouse's avatar
Bloody hell! That's brilliant!