Hi,
let me summarize events in the chronological order that could lead to repainting of Sukhov's P-39:
1.) the first damage - 2nd or 5th September 1943 Sukhov's P-39 was hit by pieces/debris from hit German plane.
2.) Reinforcement of the rear fuselageBell engineers went to Soviet Union to collect evidence in late fall 1943.
Pilots in service units were killed/injured in stall accidents in 1944. Official instructions regarding C.G. limits were issued in
spring 1944.
Only P-39Q-25 and P-39Q-30 had tails modified at the factory. Those were two last P-39 versions in production P-39Q-25 had 4-blade propeller, very distinctive sub-type. 1100 out of 4905 P-39Q made, had tails modified by Bell. Remaining P-39s were modified by Soviets.
Despite the valid rules/orders defining appearance of Soviet national marking, Sukhov let either mask (=protect) original marking or repaint it in original way. Note red star on the right side of the fuselage is bit smaller than white circle, it does not fit it so precisely as on the original "Bell" marking.
3.) the second damage - 25th February 1945Sukhov's P-39 was hit. A fire erupted on fighter... flame is not throbbing now, only a thin stream of smoke coming out from the holes on the plane... seven holes from 20-mm shells. Plane left in the care of aviation specialists...
The lighter repainting on the left side of the fuselage is extended up to the star and no."50". Again, despite the valid rules/orders defining appearance of Soviet national marking, Sukhov let either mask (=protect) original marking or repaint it in original "Bell" way.
End of March 1945. Pokryshkin filmed in Sukhov's P-39 during highway take off and landing.
We can see that the first damage repair&repainting (front fuselage/propeller/wing leading edges ) and reinforcement with another repainting were done when the end of the war was not visible in the close future. In this case the standard camouflage is quite probable.
The second damage repair&repainting done 2-3 months before the end of the war. We know that now. But did also they know that war will last only 2-3 months? If no, standard camouflage color seems to be again quite probable. If yes, why to bother with anti corrosion protection?
What were properties of the primer? Was primer expected to resist the environmental and operational conditions (snow, rain, dust, grease, abrasion etc.)?
If primer instead of camouflage paint was used on the upper surfaces, one could expect it also on the under surface.
Here is a screenshot showing Pokryshkin checking bomb fitting under Sukhov's P-39 and two other P-39 to compare demarcation line between OD and median grey on the wing and fuselage:
These screenshots show wing contoures (red line) and demarcation line (yellow dotted line) between darker color on the outer half of the underwing and lighter color on the inner half:
Yellow/brown ALG-1 could look lighter than faded OD. However, is that primer also significantly brighter/glossier than medium grey? Or is inner half of the wing painted with blue AMT-7 or its oil equivalent?
regards,
66misos
