Hi,
I tried to summarize what known (to me) regarding Pokryhkin's P-39s.
1st P-39version K-1, board no. "13", serial no. 42-4421- period 9-Apr-43 to 20-Jun-43.
- Number "13" existed in two modifications, the first one in standard size, the second one enlarged. Red stars with black outline on fuselage and bottom side of the wing.
- Digits "13" latter repainted to "130".
- Up to 21 victories (e.g. till May 14, 1943). More than 20 (Pokryshkin?s memoirs ?Sky of war? (Небо войны)
- No victory marks.
http://airaces.narod.ru/all1/pokrish1.htm:
2nd P-39version D-2, board no. "100", serial no. 41-38520- Pokryshkin flew the first time with his new "100" on 5-May-1943 (
http://airaces.narod.ru/all1/pokrish1.htm),
- Used only for a short period of time, because hit and destroyed when parked on airfield by another pilot during unsuccessful landing.
-
Red stars with black trim
over original blue or repainted green (AMT4?) circles on the fuselage and top and bottom side of the wing.
- Period from May 5, 1943 to end of May/ beginning of June?
- Up to 23-25 victories
- No victory marks.
Pokryshkin, should be minus red spinner and minus red tail tip:
Rechkalov:
3rd P-39version N-0, board no. "100", serial no. 42-9004- photo shows only 2900 digits. I found info that 42-9004 was not produced. Could be numbers 42-90040 (v. N-0) or 42-90004 ?
- Equipped with two .30 cal guns in the wings,
-
Red stars with black trim
over original blue or repainted green (AMT4?) circles on the fuselage and top and bottom side of the wing.
-
Red tail tips (in 16 giap introduced in summer 1943)
- No white trim on tail visible, even if red tail tip already painted.
-
Red spinner?- Period summer 1943, e.g. June-August 1943?
- Up to 30 victories (Aug 23, 1943)
- Victory marks ?
Victory marks (?) visible on the front bay cover:
Igor Zlobin?s profile photo from 2006 for period Summer 1943. Red tail tip (no white trim) + red spinner. Victory marks on the front bay cover:
Igor Zlobin?s profile photo from 2009 for period Autumn 1943. No red tail tips, although introduced already in summer 1943? No red spinner. No victory marks:
4th P-39version N-5, board no. "100", serial no. 42-19138 or 42-19188? I cannot see it clear enough on the Igor Zlobin's profile photo from 2006.
- Period september to May 1945?
- Then 31-46(52) victories.
-
Red tail tips.
-
Stars with wide white and thin red outline (introduced in Sept 1943).
- white trim on tail?
-
Red spinner?- No victory marks.
Profile could be minus victory stars and different serial number:
Igor Zlobin?s profile photo from 2006 for September 1943. Red spinner, red tail tip. No white trim on tail red tip, no white+red outline on fuselage/wing stars?
Rechkalov v.Q-15. Red spinner, red tail tip with white trim, fuselage/wing stars with white+red outline:
Profiles and additional info:
http://wp.scn.ru/en/ww2/f/297/1/0http://airaces.narod.ru/all1/pokrish1.htmhttp://www.redbanner.co.uk/History/ace_aircraft/rechkalov/rechkalov.htmlAny advice, correction, additional info warmly welcome. I am still learning.
KL, thank you for that books advise. I will try to find them on Amazon.
Regards,
66misos