Looking good so far.
I agree though, $45 (approx£27) is a bit steep for the kit. It's a bit late now, but one of the Academy series of P-38 kits could have been used. These are excellent kits, possibly the best P-38 kits available in this scale, and no problems in construction, especially the tail booms. They are, on average, £16 in the UK, so around $25 in the USA.
A couple of pieces of advice, if you don't mind, especially important if building this as a commission.
Most, if not all kits of the P-38 need close attention to the construction and joints of the tail-booms and, perhaps more important, alignment of the booms to ensure they are evenly spaced and 'square' to each other. Ensure you check the fit and alignment as many times as it takes, before construction, until you are happy that you can:
a) undertake this in the most convenient way.
b) ensure the required alignment and geometry.
Also, the nose will require a fair amount of weight, to ensure the completed model sits on it's undercarriage without tipping onto the tail, and this must fit and be secured properly. Again, taking some time to work out how and where the weight is going to fit, and how much will be required, before you reach that stage, will pay dividends in the long run. (the instruction sheet might indicate the amount of weight required.)
These points may seem obvious, but it's surprising how easily they can be forgotten in the enthusiasm of the build !
As with all builds, and especially those done as commissions, the 'Seven Ps' are paramount, and the more planning and test-fitting undertaken, the easier things will be, and the better the end result.