Hi Stephen,
In relation to this painting, I asked about the plane-in-squadron number (large number painted on the tail) for Lt. Baumeiser's
Irish Lassie, which I've since decided to make the "star" of this piece. Baumeister wasn't an ace - indeed I don't think he scored a single victory - but I couldn't resist the shamrock and large lettering on the nose of his kite.
Research by a friend is indicating this P-38 had "7" painted on the tail, and no. 7, lacking a time machine for personal verification with my own eyes, may have to be it considering these really attractive Lightnings were so poorly covered, relatively speaking, in photos. This is a commission piece, and the more I read about these guys, the more excited I am about the work - they got a couple of DUCs and were actually a hot outfit - arse kickers, if you will!
See this page of my site for the progress on "Twin-tailed Dragons". Tomorrow I actually get started on the small oil sketch:
http://wademeyersart.tripod.com/id74.html
Thx,
Wade