"P-40 Warhawk - R.J. "Catfish" Raine #80"

P-40 Warhawk “Flying Tiger #80” (specifications), (Study #2). Robert J. “Catfish” Raine was born on February 22, 1918, and joined the United States Navy in July, 1940. He heard about the opportunity to serve in China with the American Volunteer Group, better known as the “Flying Tigers”, and joined the group in the summer of 1941. He was assigned to the 3rd squadron, known as the “Hell’s Angels”, and soon became a flight leader. He is credited with three air-to-air victories while flying the P-40E Warhawk. When the AVG disbanded in July, 1942, he became a pilot for the China National Aviation Corporation, flying supplies from India to China over the “Hump”. After the war, he helped organize the Flying Tigers Freight Lines. He was awarded two Distinguished Flying Crosses.

Original Painting 10" x 8" - Acrylic on Masonite

1. Line drawings of Flying Tiger logo and P-40
on 8” x 10” masonite. Painted in the logo,
and covered it with paper to protect the image.
Since red and black were used on the logo,
continued with those colors on the aircraft,
primarily shark teeth, wheels, and propeller.
Started the green camouflage on the aircraft,
with highlights and shadows started.

2. Added the panel lines and details
to the green camouflage.
Completed the propeller.
Painted the underside light gray and
added panel lines and flaps on the wings.
Added the red stripe for Flying Tiger
3rd Pursuit Squadron and
three air-to-air victory symbols.

3. Added brown camouflage to aircraft, including highlights, shadows, and panel lines.
Added Flying Tiger logo on the side of the aircraft, then number 80.
Next, I added exhaust stains and battle wear to airplane.
Finally, the antenna lines were added, and the artist signed the painting.