America's Ace of Ace's Richard Bong 40 kills with a P38 Lightning

**Hairog** · February 12, 2009

America's Ace of Ace's Richard Bong 40 kills with a P38 Lightning

Can you match the exploits of America's Ace of Aces? I have portray as accurately as possible the circumstances faced by Dick Bong in his 2 year onslaught of the Japanese armed forces in the Pacific. All of Bong's successful missions have been recreated.

America's Ace of Aces

Richard Ira Bong

Just over the Wisconsin border from Illinois is the most stolen sign in America. It reads "Bong Recreation Area". 99% of the people you ask will have no idea who or what the area is named after. It's a shame that the greatest fighter pilot America has ever produced is all but forgotten and his name has become a joke.

This is just my attempt to educate a small number of you as to the life and times of Richard Ira Bong, America's Ace of Aces. His record 40 kills will never be surpassed. This unlikely farm boy from tiny Poplar Wisconsin became a super star and then faded into the history books. He deserves more than 15 min of fame.

I have recreated all of Bong's successful missions. If you equal or surpass Bong's record with all the realism options turned on without do overs and without using the auto pilot you have accomplished a major feat and should be proud of your simulated flying skill.

I have tried to portray as accurately as possible the circumstances faced by Dick Bong in his 2 year onslaught of the Japanese armed forces. I have had to use different maps because many of the areas that Bong fought in are not represented in the game yet. Areas such as Northern New Guinea, Rabal, Borneo, the Philippine Islands of Negros, Mindoro and Leyte have not been modeled yet. I have found very similar areas on other maps that fit the bill however. By using the southern part of New Guinea I was able to recreate the Lae area farther to the north; by using the Singapore map I could recreate similar conditions to the Philippine islands etc. I think you will get the feel of the historical area and conditions.

The folder BongCampaign goes in the US folder that is in the Campaign folder that is in the mission folder.

The folder BongSingle goes in the US folder that is in the Single folder that is in the mission folder.

The P38J, P38L and P38L_Late folders go in the skins folder that is in the PaintSchemes folder.

This campaign is complex and requires a powerfull computer and video card. It was done with IL2FB+PF Combined Install version 4.04.

Mission Bong29 (Rivals Together) is very complex. You might want to try out your computer on this one first if you plan on doing the campaign. I was having fun trying to make a realistic invasion scene and it got out of hand. Feel free to tone it down if you know how. Much of what is going on is not relevant to your mission as a pilot. Just invasion craft, bunkers, BB and CAs shelling each other etc. It's a hoot. Look around using the Cnt F2 command as I have placed some fixed cameras.

Three books were instrumental in providing the historical facts for this endeavor...

Ace of Aces, The Dick Bong Story - Written by Carl Bong and Mike O'connor

Dear Mom So We Have A War by Carl Bong

Dick Bong Ace of Aces by Gen. George Kenney

I had unique access to these books being from Wisconsin. There are many quotes directly from Dick's letters home to his mother. They provide an extrodinary window as to the thoughts and concerns of a farm boy a long way from the farm but making the best of it.

Carl Bong is Dick Bong's brother and Gen. Kenney was Dick's commanding officer. I have copied major parts of the "descriptions" from these books. I am not a writer but I do know how to copy well. The first mission is from the Kokoda Campaign for Pacific Fighters by VBF_80 and the skins are all modifications of other people's painstaking work the most notable being "Marge" by Richard Mutt or RMutt. I couldn't have done this project without the jump start these artists provided.

I wish to apologize for the racial epithets used to describe the Japanese race. This was the language of the times and the quotes are verbatim. I'm sorry if they cause any discomfort. I do not mean to offend, just to be historically accurate with my quotes. Because of the 3 books mentioned I believe these missions to be very accurate, sans the proper maps of course. The conditions, land forms, forces encountered are as historically correct as can be created. Any additions or corrections would be appreciated.

There are a few fun missions. One where you take off at night and try and get Washing Machine Charlie as Bong tried to do a few times... Another where you get into a dogfight in a SBD against a float plane... One where you have a mock dog fight with a P47 as Bong did while on leave... and the last one where you try and complete the only mission that Dick Bong could not.

Feel free to add a video or awards etc. I have no idea as to how to go about doing that. Add all you want but please dont change the basic facts of the missions. The research is pretty good. If you do put the plane on autopilot, you will encounter all the bogies that Dick Bong shot down.

P.S. Oh yeah, by the way, did you know who Bong was before you read this?

Submitter

Hairog
Submitted

02/12/2009
Category

IL2 Series Campaigns & Missions

+***Jug*** · February 12, 2009

File Name: America's Ace of Ace's Richard Bong 40 kills with a P38 Lightning

File Submitter: Hairog

File Submitted: 11 Feb 2009

File Category: IL2 Series Campaigns & Missions

Can you match the exploits of America's Ace of Aces? I have portray as accurately as possible the circumstances faced by Dick Bong in his 2 year onslaught of the Japanese armed forces in the Pacific. All of Bong's successful missions have been recreated.

America's Ace of Aces

Richard Ira Bong

Just over the Wisconsin border from Illinois is the most stolen sign in America. It reads "Bong Recreation Area". 99% of the people you ask will have no idea who or what the area is named after. It's a shame that the greatest fighter pilot America has ever produced is all but forgotten and his name has become a joke.

This is just my attempt to educate a small number of you as to the life and times of Richard Ira Bong, America's Ace of Aces. His record 40 kills will never be surpassed. This unlikely farm boy from tiny Poplar Wisconsin became a super star and then faded into the history books. He deserves more than 15 min of fame.

I have recreated all of Bong's successful missions. If you equal or surpass Bong's record with all the realism options turned on without do overs and without using the auto pilot you have accomplished a major feat and should be proud of your simulated flying skill.

I have tried to portray as accurately as possible the circumstances faced by Dick Bong in his 2 year onslaught of the Japanese armed forces. I have had to use different maps because many of the areas that Bong fought in are not represented in the game yet. Areas such as Northern New Guinea, Rabal, Borneo, the Philippine Islands of Negros, Mindoro and Leyte have not been modeled yet. I have found very similar areas on other maps that fit the bill however. By using the southern part of New Guinea I was able to recreate the Lae area farther to the north; by using the Singapore map I could recreate similar conditions to the Philippine islands etc. I think you will get the feel of the historical area and conditions.

The folder BongCampaign goes in the US folder that is in the Campaign folder that is in the mission folder.

The folder BongSingle goes in the US folder that is in the Single folder that is in the mission folder.

The P38J, P38L and P38L_Late folders go in the skins folder that is in the PaintSchemes folder.

This campaign is complex and requires a powerfull computer and video card. It was done with IL2FB+PF Combined Install version 4.04.

Mission Bong29 (Rivals Together) is very complex. You might want to try out your computer on this one first if you plan on doing the campaign. I was having fun trying to make a realistic invasion scene and it got out of hand. Feel free to tone it down if you know how. Much of what is going on is not relevant to your mission as a pilot. Just invasion craft, bunkers, BB and CAs shelling each other etc. It's a hoot. Look around using the Cnt F2 command as I have placed some fixed cameras.

Three books were instrumental in providing the historical facts for this endeavor...

Ace of Aces, The Dick Bong Story - Written by Carl Bong and Mike O'connor

Dear Mom So We Have A War by Carl Bong

Dick Bong Ace of Aces by Gen. George Kenney

I had unique access to these books being from Wisconsin. There are many quotes directly from Dick's letters home to his mother. They provide an extrodinary window as to the thoughts and concerns of a farm boy a long way from the farm but making the best of it.

Carl Bong is Dick Bong's brother and Gen. Kenney was Dick's commanding officer. I have copied major parts of the "descriptions" from these books. I am not a writer but I do know how to copy well. The first mission is from the Kokoda Campaign for Pacific Fighters by VBF_80 and the skins are all modifications of other people's painstaking work the most notable being "Marge" by Richard Mutt or RMutt. I couldn't have done this project without the jump start these artists provided.

I wish to apologize for the racial epithets used to describe the Japanese race. This was the language of the times and the quotes are verbatim. I'm sorry if they cause any discomfort. I do not mean to offend, just to be historically accurate with my quotes. Because of the 3 books mentioned I believe these missions to be very accurate, sans the proper maps of course. The conditions, land forms, forces encountered are as historically correct as can be created. Any additions or corrections would be appreciated.

There are a few fun missions. One where you take off at night and try and get Washing Machine Charlie as Bong tried to do a few times... Another where you get into a dogfight in a SBD against a float plane... One where you have a mock dog fight with a P47 as Bong did while on leave... and the last one where you try and complete the only mission that Dick Bong could not.

Feel free to add a video or awards etc. I have no idea as to how to go about doing that. Add all you want but please dont change the basic facts of the missions. The research is pretty good. If you do put the plane on autopilot, you will encounter all the bogies that Dick Bong shot down.

P.S. Oh yeah, by the way, did you know who Bong was before you read this?

Click here to download this file

A lot of effort and heart went into this project and I want you to know that it is greatly appreciated. My hero for lots of years was this mild-mannered Wisconsin farm boy and my first model was a P-38 with "Marge" and 40 Jap flags on the front. He is certainly not forgotten by anyone in the US military aviation community. He is legend.

**Bulldog** · February 14, 2009

P.S. Oh yeah, by the way, did you know who Bong was before you read this?

Yup.

**Hairog** · February 17, 2009

I sincerely hope I am wrong in my assumption about Dick Bong's legacy.

**Hairog** · March 24, 2009

I just added another upload that contains some sample video tracks I am going to add to my America's Ace of Aces campaign.

It is in the form of a short campaign that consists of the same little mission with the video tracks in between the missions. It was the only way I knew how to show the video tracks I have created.

It's a small download and just a sample of things to come.

Hairog

**Hairog** · November 26, 2009

Newly updated with lots of video tracks and added content and improved missions

America's Ace of Aces 2.o

http://mission4today.com/index.php?name=Downloads&file=details&id=3818

28_p38j%20killink.png

**Nixou** · December 3, 2009

Yes i know Bong. I think he is really a legend i'm not sure it has been so much forgotten you know.

However, i have the feeling that some other US aces, for example Eddie Rickenbacker, are more famous indeed.

I think that what is the most impressive thing is that the kills he scored were from a P38 which as most people here know, althoug being a very good fighter-bomber, wasn't the most suited airplane in a "fighter" role, at least compared to some other US aircraft.

He makes the "that's not the plane, that's the pilot" become true.

**Hairog** · December 21, 2009

If you want the real scoop on the P38 and not just propaganda put out by the P51 and P47 cabal...check this website out.

http://home.att.net/~ww2aviation/P-38.html

"Combat radius helps to win air wars. This simple observation sums up much of what distinguished the P-38 from its contemporaries, and also why this aircraft must be considered the single most significant fighter in the US inventory in W.W.II. The critical air battles, when Allied strength was still building up and Axis strength was at its peak, were fought by the P-38 force, deep inside hostile airspace against a numerically superior enemy.

All other parameters being equal, it was the radius of the Lightning which allowed the ETO daylight bombing offensive to succeed at a time when losses were high and long term success questionable. By the time Mustang numbers built up in the ETO, the Luftwaffe had already crossed the knee in the Lanchesterian attrition war curve and defeat was inevitable. While the much admired P-51 made a critical contribution, it is worth noting that cumulative deployments of the Merlin powered P-51 matched the P-38 only as late as the end of 1944, which is clearly at odds with the established mythology. With the 8th AF, the long range escort load was shared equally by the P-38 and P-51 throughout the decisive first half of 1944.

In the Pacific, where land based air grappled with the Japanese, the Lightning was the foremost fighter, destroying more Japanese aircraft than any other Allied fighter. The air battles over New Guinea, the Solomons, the invasion of the Phillipines and later Okinawa were all campaigns where the radius and performance of the P-38 were fundamental advantages over Japanese air assets.

The perception of the P-38 as a mediocre aircraft is clearly the result of wartime propaganda run unchecked, and lay interpretations of period statements. The historical record clearly indicates that the big twin was there when it really mattered and there can be no greater a compliment for its designers. It was the aircraft which allowed the USAAF to play an offensive strategy almost from the very beginning of combat operations. The P-38 was without doubt the strategically most important American fighter of World War II."

**Spinners** · December 22, 2009

P.S. Oh yeah, by the way, did you know who Bong was before you read this?

Yes, but now I'd like to know more.

**Hairog** · December 23, 2009

All right another recruit. :salute:

A very good book on Dick Bong and Tommy McGuire is out now called Ace's High by Bill Yenne. Tells both of their stories. Very good read.

**Hairog** · February 14, 2010

This is an old version. See American's Ace of Aces 3.0.

**Rickitycrate** · February 15, 2010

God rest Richard Bong. My parents and I contibuted to his rather new museum in Poplar Wisconsin. He and Marge are not forgotten.

**Hairog** · February 15, 2010

Thank you Rickitycrate. I needed to hear that.

America's Ace of Ace's Richard Bong 40 kills with a P38 Lightning

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