Winter red 46 LaGG-3
silver or white?
By Massimo Tessitori
File updated on June25, 2004
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This image represents a LaGG-3 during the winter of 1941/42.
The most noticeable charachteristic of this image is the silverish look of the side and upper surface of the aircraft, while such reflexes are absent on the lower surfaces.
It was impossible to decide if this aircraft was really painted silver on its upper and side surfaces, or if it's some effect of the low sun.
For example, one can think that the dark look of upper surfaces is due to the low position of the sun, while the absence of such dark look on the lower fuselage is due to the sun reflexion on the snowy ground.
Some discussion can be found here, but it doesn't arrive to a conclusion.
The aircraft was probably of 3rd series, and its characteristics are:

This profile shows the aircraft how it seems to me from this photo:
  • silver side and upper surfaces;
  • white undersurfaces and tail;
  • light blue undersurfaces of tail;
  • red stars, trim, number 46;
  • guards emblem on its side;
  • black prop blades.
This is a possible alternative interpretation:
  • overall white surfaces;
  • light blue undersurfaces of tail;
  • red stars, trim, number 46;
  • guards emblem on its side;
  • black prop blades.

 
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