[Andrew]

Well in my opinion, apart from the crash of the Ramada, I didn't think there was anything special about the pilot. Where as for something like Bong would be different. He made his name in aviation history. Highest US Ace. Otherwise, we shouldn't make planes like George Preddy's P-51D Mustang because he was shot down by US Anti-aircraft gunners. That would piss me off more than augering in, especially if you're about to nail the sucker you've been chasing.

[TopHat]

Andrew, I agree with your point.

The popular theory is that Bong screwed up. Whether this is true or not, I don't know. His family disputes this theory, as do others.

I think there is a difference between modeling an aircraft in which a pilot served with distinction, even if said pilot later died in that aircraft, and modeling an aircraft that represents (and is remembered as) a less than glorious moment in a pilot's flying career.

As you can see by this thread, no one mentioned Bong's MOH and P-80 in the same post. To most, the P-80 represents a controversy.

[djjeffhall]

I'd love to see a F-80. I don't really care much for Bong's F-80. Not a place I'd associate him with and as Skunky correctly pointed out, a little to macabre.

[Kubikali]

Originally Posted by djjeffhall

I'd love to see a F-80. I don't really care much for Bong's F-80. Not a place I'd associate him with and as Skunky correctly pointed out, a little to macabre.

A model of a plane flown by a top ace is quite macabre too, isn't it. Or do different rules apply when a plane kills in the intended manner?
(Being a bit of a troll here )

[TopHat]

Originally Posted by Kubikali

A model of a plane flown by a top ace is quite macabre too, isn't it. Or do different rules apply when a plane kills in the intended manner?
(Being a bit of a troll here )

I think you are comparing the proverbial apple to the orange. The plane of a top ace is remembered for the skill of the pilot, not the mistakes made by the target.

[mustangdriver]

I don't know if there were any special markings on his aircraft, as it was just a test aircraft. I am all for a p-80.

[TopHat]

Originally Posted by mustangdriver

I don't know if there were any special markings on his aircraft, as it was just a test aircraft. I am all for a p-80.

I think you are right. If I recall, he had minimal time in the type (something like 4 hours).

[JETFAN]

Yes; a Korean War version would be very welcome. With some astute tool design, the T-Bird wouldn't be too difficult to follow it with modified tooling.

[Shawn 507]

Well I was just thinking it would be a nice pair, bad things happen to good people. Whats more ate up is how we can oly get one Boyington P-40. I'd love one of those in 1/72nd to go with his Corsair.
- Shawn