I really don't think so, based on the first pleat left of (wearer's) center. There is a little something there that looks almost as if the pleat has come open during photography. If I get that far, I'll try a short "fell" with my sample garment and then play with it as required.
Hmm. I don't think so. What I really think we're looking at is similar to pintucks. Those stitched down pleats could actually just be pintucks that's been taken in the gore from top to bottom. The pleats look pressed all the way down. And, I don't see a 'release' that would happen with pleats. So, unless the pleats are actually long thin darts which is possible, but somehow doesn't quite jibe with the image, then I think that they go down to the fell or straight to the hem.

Current size I would need an 8 inch taper -- but I'm still losing, so it's a moving target from now until my potential future start of project.
I don't think you'd need such a large taper considering the bias nature of the cut. And, you can also cheat the waist larger than your own waist by gathering the waist seam slightly onto the waistband without distorting the smoothness at the waistband.

Yeah, but I don't have a pattern on hand and I like fiddling with geometry! It was the only math class I ever enjoyed. . . because it made sense and I could see it!
Do what makes you happy. Me, I piggy back on others. And if I can't, I open my AutoCAD and draw it out.

Good luck with it. It's a nice twist on a classic and I can see why it caught your eye. Pictures when done!