Hi,
look at these images:
This is an early Il2-37 (the barrel of the 37 mm gun is visible on the photo below) with black-green camo and later type stars, probably in winter 1943/44.
The strange thing is that there is a black band on the fuselage that covers the stars and possibly a number.
What could this be? A repair made hurrily on the fuselage, or the action of some souvenir hunter? If so, is it possible that the wooden fuselage was painted black under the fabric? I would have expected a light color of yellowish putty or natural wood instead of this.
Now, I know that many Lavochkins were painted black inside the rear fuselage. Is it likely that this was made on Il-2s too?
Regards
Massimo