THIS IS A VERY SPECIAL OIL PAINTING THAT WAS PRIVATELY COMMISSIONED. PAINTED BY TONY WEDDEL OF MAJOR THOMAS McGUIRE'S P-38, "PUDGY V". THE PICTURES BELOW DOES NOT BEGIN TO DO THE PAINTING JUSTICE! (sorry for the slight blurryness on the main picture, working on getting a better one). I AM HELPING A FRIEND SELL THIS MAGNIFICENT PIECE WHICH IS BEING OFFERED AT $5000.00 (OR BEST OFFER) YOU CAN MAKE DIRECT CONTACT TO: STARR @ 321-632-8419 Tony Weddel is a superlative artist best known for magnificent aviation paintings. He has produced many hundreds of exquisite, realistic, aviation subjects. His paintings and prints can be found in museums and the homes of private collectors around the world. Historical Note: This P-38, nicknamed "Pudgy V" was flown by Maj. Thomas McGuire, the 2nd highest American ace of all time. McGuire racked up 38 kills, just 2 behind Dick Bong, the all-time Ace of Aces. All McGuire's kills were in the Pacific Theater during World War II. In 1944, in combat missions flown on Christmas Day and the day after, McGuire shot down 7 Japanese Zeroes single-handedly flying the Pudgy V. On January 7th, 1945, less than two weeks later, McGuire was leading a group of four P-38s over a Japanese-held airstrip on the Los Negros Islands, in the Philippines. His formation scattered and an enemy aircraft zeroed in on a friend's P-38. The pilot radioed for help and McGuire quickly responded. Flying in a tight situation at low altitude caused McGuire's plane to stall and crash. He died attempting to save a friend's life, and was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.