I built this model as a 3D computer model first (Using Lightwave, if anyone cares). Then I added paint to it, and set up a scene in Lightwave where I arranged all the elements such as the 2 aircraft, the lighting, even the smoke. From there I generated an image that I used as a basis to do a traditional oil on canvas painting.

I painted this in 2 weeks starting in mid-November 2009.