Our local IPMS chapter has been asked to build a number of planes for some special function being held at Shriver AFB. I've been asked to make, as simply as possible, a Revell/Monogram 1/48 P-38. I've a question concerning Bong's markings. The kit has a number of some kind that is supposed to be near the nose on both sides. I can't remember the actual number. The kit decals for this though look like they are purposely made to be like they are rubbed away. Like the paint had flacked off. From pictures I've seen online of the actual plane, or ones made to look like it, this number isn't even there. Does anybody know what this number is about in this kit?

Just so you know because of time constraints we're just doing these OOB.

Restored bird has two numbers on the nose ?
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://members.aol.com/thudeur2/p-38_marge-2.jpg&imgrefurl=http://members.aol.com/thudeur2/bong.htm&h=296&w=305&sz=29&tbnid=3OVmvLHuUrgJ:&tbnh=108&tbnw=112&hl=en&start=11&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dbong%2527s%2Bp-38%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26sa%3DN

Thanks for that pic Chuck. That was the other weird thing about that decal. It look like it superimposed the 993 over another number, like the 597, but it really looks like it was made that way on purpose. The box art doesn't have either number on the nose, and some pictures of planes that are supposed to look like Bong's ship don't have them either.

I'm going to leave the kit decal off, but I wonder what is up with that.

I'm away from my reference right now but I think Bong has at least three different P-38s with "Marge" poster.


pic from http://www.starksravings.com/p38/