Hi Massimo,
In June 1943 the regiment converted to the Yak-9, and in the late autumn Stepanenko received a Yak-9T with a 37 mm cannon (
https://www.vif2ne.org/nvi/forum/0/0.htm)
I am more and more open to idea that there were at least
two versions of Yak-9T "04" overall appearance.
The first one - dated to summer 1943 If we suppose that heavily retouched photo in not only "artistic creation" but it reflects reality to some extent - 16 victory starlets, number 04 has the same shade of grey as the red star on the tail, but tail cap is significantly brighter (light blue):
then I would say that
- plane could have either old black-green or already grey-grey NKAP 1943 camo pattern with some repainting in the rear fuselage,
- board number was probably red,
- prop spinner was red without thin white/blue ring,
- tail cap was light blue,
- red stars with thin black outline,
- picture painted on the side of the fuselage.
EDIT: I just found this picture from Stankov's book at
http://scalemodels.ru/modules/forum/viewtopic.php?t=68753&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0Compare number of victory starlets - 24 - with the previous photo
And then trust it...
However, if 24 starlets is correct, then photo could be dated to September 1943, so grey-grey camo is very probable.
Anyhow, compare it to Stepanenko's previous Yak-9 "17" also from the summer 1943 with 15 victory starlets:
That time 4 iap belonged to 11 cak.
In 13 Apr 1944, e.g. several months latter Stepanenko was awarded HSU.
Another half year latter, in 28 Sep 1944, 4 iap together with 148 iap and 293 iap became part of the 185 iad.
After another month, in 23 Oct 1944, the Order № 07 that defined fast recog marking for planes in 185 iad was issued:
- red prop spinners for all planes in 185 iad.
- 5cm thin stripe around the prop spinner, tail top and board number in the regimental color - blue for 4 iap, yellow for 148 iap and white for 293 iap.
And finally, in 5 Nov 1944, 4 iap was awarded with Red banner order.
The second one - dated to late 1944It could be either new Yak-9T or his old one but in the meantime repainted during very probable overhaul - it was already more than year old war machine.
Unfortunately no photo of Stepanenko's plane from this period is known. Stankov's profile is based on drawing of Stepanenko's plane mechanic.
So overall appearance of Stepanenko's Yak-9T from this time period is speculative.
So if I could speculate based on the mentioned info then I would say:
- plane had standard NKAP 1943 grey-grey camouflage,
- red propeller spinner,
- light blue tail cap, board number "04" and thin ring on the prop spinner,
- font of 04 same like on 41,
- standard red stars with white and thin red outline,
- about 35 victory starlets without Red banner emblem, or up to 40 starlets with Red banner emblem,
- preserved picture on the side (if it was old overhaled plane).
Regards,
66misos