Historic Richard Bong Fighter Plane Set For Special Northland Flyover

The Duluth Airshow is coming up July 11-12, and this year is really special. They've been trying to get a P-38 Lightning to the airshow for years, but there are so few flying P-38s left in the United States.

P-38 Lightning History

The P-38 is a twin-engine fighter plane that was used in the Pacific Theater in World War II. It's the plane that fighter ace Richard Bong piloted, becoming the most decorated ace in World War II. He shot down 40 Japanese enemies in the Philippines.

Richard I. Bong Flew The P-38

Bong was born in Superior, Wisconsin, in 1920. He grew up on his family farm in nearby Poplar, Wisconsin. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1941, scoring his first aerial victory overseas in 1942. That was just the beginning. He ultimately had 40 confirmed kills and earned multiple awards, including the Congressional Medal of Honor.

Sadly, Major Bong died in a plane crash that happened during a test flight in 1945.

Read More: A Whole Slew Of New WWII Planes Arrive At Duluth Airshow

Superior honors the legacy of this World War II hero in many ways around town. The Richard I. Bong Veterans Historical Center was named in his honor and tells the story of Bong's accomplishments.

Superior's airport is named after him, along with the Highway 2 bridge that connects Superior to Duluth, Minnesota.

Duluth Airshow

P-38 Lightning Flyover July 9th

There are only 10 flying P-38s left in the United States. The Duluth Air and Aviation Expo has been trying to get one back in Duluth for years, and nearly succeeded a couple of years ago. However, the P-38 suffered mechanical problems and had to turn back to California.

Duluth Airshow

The P-38 "23 Skidoo" will do a flyover of the Bong Veterans Historical Center at approximately 1:00 PM on July 9th. It will continue to the Bongs' family farm in Poplar, Wisconsin, before ultimately landing at the Richard I. Bong Memorial Airport. The public is invited to attend with a $5 admission fee. There will be a 30-minute meet and greet with the pilot, followed by a conference with the historical center's team in Papua New Guinea, where they recovered Bong's original P-38 "Marge."

Later that day at 6:30, another Rock The Ramp event happens as a fundraiser for the CAF.

See It At The Duluth Air and Aviation Expo

The P-38 will perform at the Duluth Air and Aviation Expo, presented by Essentia Health and Members Cooperative Credit Union, on July 11th and 12th. The airshow is headlined by the Air Force Thunderbirds. Besides the P-38, there will be other World War II planes in the static display area, where you can get up close to the historic fighters.