LaGG-3 "White 25"

[Mark Proulx]

Am I safe to assume the "stylized" red star applied to the side of the fuselage of this LaGG-3 would indicate its assignment to a Guard unit?

Thanks in advance for any input...

Mark Proulx

[John Thompson]

Do you mean this LaGG-3?:
https://www.asisbiz.com/il2/LaGG-3/pages/Lavochkin-LaGG-3-type-29-White-25-with-Red-Black-Kremlin-Star-captured-by-German-Forces-01.html

These are usually referred to as "Kremlin stars", and are meant to represent the illuminated stars decorating the five spires of the Kremlin. AFAIK, they have no Guards association.
https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&q=Kremlin+star

John

[Mark Proulx]

John:

Thanks for your reply.

Yes, this is the LaGG I am asking about. My question stems from Pe-2 In Action (granted, not a LaGG). One of the color profiles, which displays this marking, states:

" "Kremlin Star" national insignias were typically painted on aircraft assigned to Guards units"

Any additional details on this LaGG?

Mark Proulx

[John Thompson]

That may be, but I wouldn't automatically assume the connection. I don't recall ever seeing a Guards unit aircraft with Kremlin stars, though they might have existed. It certainly wasn't common. I could be wrong, not having researched this at all, but my belief is that not every aircraft with Kremlin stars belonged to a Guards unit, nor did all aircraft from Guards units have Kremlin stars. So assuming a direct correlation would be wrong.

John

[Massimo Tessitori]

Hi,
I fully agree with John about the Kremlin stars, there was not a relationship to the Guards.
This LaGG-3 was probably built in Taganrog/Tbilisi by Zavod 31, as suggested by the small star on the fin.
It il possible that the camouflage was not the standard green black one because the darker and lighter colors are inverted according to the standard pattern; besides them both appear rather light on the photo.

Massimo

[Mark Proulx]

Gentlemen,

Thank you both for taking the time to provide an informative response.

Mark Proulx