Could this be a late-model UTI-4, as it has "tall" rear cockpit windscreen and sliding cover over it instead of canvas?
I dont think so,the "tall" rear cover was related to the early UTI-4 and the sliding cover for blind flight,when open,was located behind the back cockpit.
After checking quickly some Russian, French books and both Finnish and UK Red Stars it seems for me, that there has been at least three different cockpit arrangements for the UTI-4:
- double opening, low rear windscreen, canvas instrument flying hood,
- double opening, low rear windscreen, sliding instrument flying hood and
- single opening, high rear windscreen/tunnel, sliding instrument flying hood.
Either of the two first alternatives seems to be the most common based on the fairly scarce pictures of the type.
is there some other document on this version somewhere?
I found only this:
It?s from Squadron Signal In Action #162 "Polikarpov Fighters,part 2".It looks like an early UTI-4 with the triangular opening for the exhaust pipes.
This is an instructional airframe, so it is unlikely the same aircraft as on the in-flight pictures. Also, we don't see the cockpit in this picture.
Interesting question anyway!
Cheers,
AaCee