Jack hi
Thanks for the response, that's a great piece of information, made all the more special as it puts names to pilots - a real human connection.
If you could find out the wingman of your cousin I can include the pair of them in addition to Hansen.
My reference material is light, so if you can add to this it would be really helpful.
So far, I've found photos of
#3 on the deck of the Bennington,
Hansen in #1 lined up on deck with the tail of#35 just visible beside him.
#38 in flames having crashed on landing.
It also seems that Hansen had a yellow propeller hub.
I've attached the thumbnail sketch I'm working from showing the five plane formation, as if seen from a sixth. I always think odd numbers work better in a painting, but you point is well made. I'd be interested to hear what you think of this piece.
This a colour study, and so 20" x 8". I hope to start painting later today
thanks
Pete