This P-40E 'Flying Tigers' number 104 (often referred to as "Tiger 104" or "White 104") was famously flown in combat against the Japanese by both Major Edward Rector and Major Bruce Holloway of the 23rd Fighter Group, both of whom were commanders of the 76th Fighter Squadron (part of the 23rd Fighter Group) in Kweilin, China, circa 1942. While the "Flying Tigers" name officially belonged to the American Volunteer Group (AVG), "Tiger 104" was one of the P-40E models that arrived as the AVG was being absorbed into the U.S. Army Air Forces' 23rd Fighter Group in July 1942.
This composition of mine took a turn midway through its creation. I initially envisaged the pilot attempting to confirm his victory - an Imperial Japanese Army Ki-27 'Nate' fighter, but the story it told was one very often one repeated in the aviation art world; simple, effective, but over-represented. Then I thought, why paint this airman looking the other way while all we see is the back of him? It struck me that it would be an interesting plot twist to shatter the moment of victory by adding a second Japanese fighter - out of the composition behind the viewer - walking machine gun rounds into this P-40's rudder, and our distracted pilot caught by surprise, whipping his head around and shooting the attacking plane the stink eye as if to say the expletive - "You fuck*r!" I think it makes a far more engaging composition and story, and I feel we may all rest assured that our Flying Tiger did manage to turn his situation around for the better!
- RC
DETAIL:
Each signed & numbered by the artist.
