Completed 2006 Collection of Dr. David Alexander Chittagong, India-based 459th Fighter Squadron "Twin-Tailed Dragons" P-38J Lightnings zoom above the clouds in spring 1944. The main role of the 459th, at least at this time, was to make life "interesting" for Japanese pilots and aircraft. To accomplish this task, the squadron often attacked the enemy airfields themselves - a dangerous mission at best. The lead ship is Irish Lassie, flown by 2Lt. William G. 'Bill' Baumeister Jr. Lt. Baumeister was credited with an "Oscar" damaged on May 23, 1944. When the 459th upgraded to the J-model in April 1944, they painted distinctive green dragon motifs on both booms, the big open oil cooler and intercooler ducts below the spinner making a natural "mouth".
As a pilot, by far my favorite type of flying is done above the clouds when the weather is miserable below. Flying in the brilliant sunshine above an endless carpet of dazzling white clouds is very inspirational, and I tried to capture that feeling here.
Appeared in Lockheed Martin's CODE ONE magazine, 2009 Aviation Art issue.
Completed 2006
Collection of Dr. David Alexander
Chittagong, India-based 459th Fighter Squadron "Twin-Tailed Dragons" P-38J Lightnings zoom above the clouds in spring 1944. The main role of the 459th, at least at this time, was to make life "interesting" for Japanese pilots and aircraft. To accomplish this task, the squadron often attacked the enemy airfields themselves - a dangerous mission at best. The lead ship is Irish Lassie, flown by 2Lt. William G. 'Bill' Baumeister Jr. Lt. Baumeister was credited with an "Oscar" damaged on May 23, 1944. When the 459th upgraded to the J-model in April 1944, they painted distinctive green dragon motifs on both booms, the big open oil cooler and intercooler ducts below the spinner making a natural "mouth".
As a pilot, by far my favorite type of flying is done above the clouds when the weather is miserable below. Flying in the brilliant sunshine above an endless carpet of dazzling white clouds is very inspirational, and I tried to capture that feeling here.
Appeared in Lockheed Martin's CODE ONE magazine, 2009 Aviation Art issue.