After reading the article in Warbirds International about the around the world flights of the "Reynolds Bombshell," it became another must paint project.
 
In 1947, Milton Reynolds (ballpoint-pen mogul) agreed to finance and participate in an attempt to beat Howard Hughes' 1938 around the world record flight, which covered 14,824 miles in 3 days, 19 hours and 14 minutes, with a flying time of 71 hours, 7 minutes. William P. Odom would be pilot in command, Tex Sallee navigator, and Reynolds a passenger/financier/publicity hound. Odom had purchased a war surplus, near zero-time Douglas B-26B Invader, the fastest long range, twin engine aircraft of its day for the attempt at the record. On April 12, they departed La Guardia Field. The flight covered 19,899 miles, in 3 days, 6 hours, and 55.5 minutes, with a flying time of 62 hours, 46.5 minutes. Thus, beating Hughes' record  significantly.
 
In this scene I've shown a fictional North American T-6 camera ship filming a portion of the flight for the news reels.
 
*The original painting is available for purchase. Painting size in inches: 21 x 28 acrylic on gessoboard. Contact the artist and reference: "Reynold's Bombshell.”
 
Signed prints available on this site by clicking on the "add to cart" option. Print size in inches: 14 x 19 on 18 x 24 paper.