Sovietwarplanes

Hello:

As I am new to the study of VVS camouflage and markings, I apologize in advance if the question appears silly.

It is easy to determine unit assignments of US and RAF aircraft (fuselage codes relate to squadron). Same goes for the Luftwaffe (either codes or emblems applied). How does one determine the assignments of VVS aircraft from WW2? It appears some are known by the pilot or unique fuselage markings. However, can a determination be made if only national insignia is applied, as so many appear to be?

For example, if you have a photo of a Pe-2 with red stars on the fuselage, tail with a White 4 also on the tail (no other markings), can you tell which unit it came from?

I have books enroute to see if this is addressed there, but in the meantime I thought I would pose this question here.

Mark Proulx

Hi Mark,
in general, no. One can't even state if it is of the army or navy air force. There are exceptions for some units that utilized distinctive marks, but they were widely used only in 1944/45.

Thanks. This confirms my suspicion.

Mark Proulx

Staffels within the Luftwaffe used a color to identify each. For example, First staffel numbers are white on the sides of their fighter aircraft within most Gruppes. Did the VVS follow a similar format or were there variations throughout? 

Mark Proulx

Hi,
sometimes.
Before the war, numbers from 1 to 15 were painted on the rudders to identify the plane within a squadron, while the color of the numbers identified the squadron within the regiment. During the war this method was usually abandoned. It could be that some units utilized colored numbers, spinners or caps on the tail for this purpose, but this depended on the unit.
Regards
Massimo