yak-9, pilot N.F. Kizim, Bulgaria

[Troy Smith]

Hi All

Just found this pic on an image search, here http://www.ww2aircraft.net/forum/aircraft-pictures/soviet-air-force-vvs-32504-3.html

the page is unremarkable, but this pic caught my eye. Quite possibly old news here, but just in case...

pic link says Yak-9, pilot N.F. Kizim, Bulgaria



Interesting looking Yak.   

Anyone know anymore about this, like what the inscription/badge on nose are, or the interesting looking 5 pointed marking next to the commoner Guards and Red Banner badges
[I think, it's late,I'm not going to look them up, whatever they  are, I've seen them on lots of planes]

Hope of interest

T

[KL]

Same photo, better copy at http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?180530-Workers%92%96Peasants%92-Red-Army-(RKKA)-1918-1946/page24



Profile from 'Yakovlev Yak-9U&P' book by Robert Panek



The plane belonged to the elite 151 giap.  Inscription on nose reads "Venskiy" and means "Viennese" because regiments full name was 151-й гвардейский истребительный авиационный Венский Краснознаменный ордена Богдана Хмельницкого полк (151st Guards, Viennese, of the Order of the Red Banner, of the Order of Bogdan Hmelnitski Fighter Aviation Regiment).

Pilot standing on the wing is Kizim, but according to D. Karlenko who interviewed him, in Kizim's own words this wasn't his plane.

Internet sources usually locate this photo to Yambol airfield in Bulgaria.  This is unlikely, 151 giap fought over Romania, Hungary, Czechoslovakia and Austria.  Photo was obviously made after the war somewhere in Central Europe.

Finally, note the silver border around the red star! This is an excellent example for white fuselage number and silver bordered red star.

Cheers,
KL

[Troy Smith]

HI Konstantin

thanks for all the info

I was chastened to find when looking at my decal box to see that this is an option on Aeromaster - Falcons of the Red Star part 1 decals sheet [48-505] though 'errormaster' have white outlined stars and no mention on the sheet that you would have to convert the base kit...



cheers
T