Photo Gallery of Early MiG-3
last modified on June 20, 2003
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The early version of MiG-3 can be distinguished by the following:

The radio set presence can be usually recognized from the visible radio mast and wires, but some examples show no radio boxes protruding under the canopy even if they have the mast and wires.
Usually the MiG-3s were flown with  the sliding part of the canopy opened (or, sometimes, removed), because of radiator heat and gas infiltrations from the engine, and the fear to be imprisoned if the aircraft should be shot down; in fact, the canopy was hard to slide at flying speeds above 400 km/h.
The rockets, set on triple launchers, could be used both against ground targets and air targets during bomber interception. Their use was nearly standard since the winter 1941/42, particularly on the Moscow front.
The slats were usually absent on the earlier examples, and usually present on late examples; there are many exceptions to this rule. The closed flaps are difficult to see on photos, but their presence is recognizable from the underwing pitot tube, while their absence is associated with a leading edge mounted pitot.


(thanks to Eric Pilawski)
A photo of the third prototype MiG-3, painted factory green and without markings. It looks identical to operational aircraft.



from Red stars

This example was piloted by Lt. N.M.Estyen and made a forced landing after being hit by AA fire near Utti air base in southern Finland on July 12, 1941. The unit was a detached fighter squadron (OIAE) of the Baltic fleet.
Many remains are still in the Vesivehmaa museum in Finland.




from Salamander- modern fighting aircrafts-MiG

A photo of a damaged MiG-3 of the 31 IAP on Kaunas airfield, occupied by Germans.
The MiG-3s were already operational in many hundred examples in July 1941, so were destroyed on the ground or captured in a greater quantity than other new-generation Soviet fighters, such as the LaGG-3 and Yak-1. The Germans captured 22 MiGs in near-flyable condition and tried to sell them to Finland.



from Barbarossa victims


from Barbarossa victims

Further MiG-3 captured at Siauliai air base. The photos shows many I-16, SB-2, SB-2bis and perhaps a German aircraft.
Note the non-homogeneous color of the green MiG; this look was recurrent on many early MiGs; it is not clear if it was due to color alteration (as the difference between wooden and metallic parts could suggest), repainting, or if it is a sort of camouflage (as the recurrent dark band on the nose could suggest).
Compare the shade of MiG with the darker color of I-16s.


This dramatic photo shows probably examples of 31 IAP, captured by Germans probably at Kaunas air base at the beginning of the war. 

From Barbarossa Victims



from Barbarossa victims

This exceptional color photo shows two MiG-3s captured by Germans at Reichlin air base, where all captured Russian aircrafts were tested. Note hand painted black cross over the red star, and the differences in the colour of metal (forward) and wooden (rear) part of the fuselage. The light of the sunfall alters the shades, but the colors should be green and light blue.
Note the blue tint of the windscreen and canopy.



from Barbarossa victims

Here is a damaged example captured by Germans. It looks to have a 2-green field-made camouflage, while the wing is from a different aircraft, with a mysterious light color. The damage appears to have been produced by the nearby blast of a bomb.



from Barbarossa Victims


from unknown source


Two shots of a partially destroyed aircraft on an airport captured by Germans. This aircraft belonged to 38 PAE (Air Recognition  Regiment) from PVO (Home Air Defence) of Moscow.
Noteworty are the non-standard camouflage, reparations with fabric rectangles, and forward-pointed red star.


Two shots of a MiG-3 captured by the Rumanians; it was pained with yellow bands and Rumanian markings, and used as an 'aggressor' in simulated air combats for training purposes. The photos look to show the aircraft both as green and as camouflaged; perhaps the scheme was modified during the aircraft's life in Rumanian hands.



from OKB MiG

This photo shows a taxiing example with field modified undercarriage doors.
This phenomenon of much dust is common in northern Russia, as in south of Leningrad, just where many MiGs were located. In the fall, just after the rain stops (maybe October-November), the dried mud turns to big dust storms. This continues for a couple of weeks until the cold and snow arrives.


From D.Hazanov: Unknown battles on the Moscow skies vol.1

Here is another image of the same aircraft, with its pilot and some officers.
It is recognizable because of the modified doors.


from Red Stars vol.1

These images represent an example of 7 IAP, piloted by Capt. S.N. Polyakov, Leningrad front, summer 1941. 



Here is a MiG-3 of the 7 IAP, Leningrad front in October 1941.
The photo shows an unusual, probably repainted, camouflaged aircraft. Besides, the stars look white, but this could depend on the type of film used; it can be seen on many photos of that period.
from Red Stars



from unknown source

This is a fine coloured version of a widely seen photo representing an early MiG, perhaps with factory green uppersurfaces.


Photos of examples with underwing gun pods.

The photo above shows an aircraft captured by Germans at Siauliai airport, in summer 1941.
The underwing pod looks to be without gun, because no barrel protrudes from it.
The owner of the original image is Jan Koennig, that shows a good version of it (as well as many other ones) at the page
http://www.rote-sterne.de/gallery/russ__originale/Sowjetische_Originale_WK_II/sowjetische_originale_wk_ii_23.html


from unknown source

 The photo above shows a compressed air bottle for engine starter standing on the ground, and could look like a bomb.
The aircraft looks unmarked.  Disappointingly, most photos showing the guns don't show the fuselage markings, and vice versa.


from MiG OKB

The UBS 12,7 mm machinegun could be installed both in the factory and in the field. The weight of the pods (160 kg) negatively affected the MiG's performance, the accuracy was poor due to wing distorsion at high-g maneuvres, and the poor low-height performance of the aircraft led to many units removing this armament.


This photo, shot during the winter of 1941/42, shows an aircraft (white 4?) with the rudder of another aircraft (yellow 6?). It features underwing rocket launchers.
from OKB MiG



This example was of Lieutnant I.F.Golubin of 16 IAP, Moscow area, winter 1941/42. Golubin was awarded Hero of the
Soviet Union on March 4, 1942. He scored 12 victories before being killed in action in October 1943.   From Red Stars, old edition



Another shot of an all-white aircraft during the winter of 1941/42. Note the opacity of the rear glass due to condensation or ice. Photos of early type MiG-3s during the winter 1941/42 are relatively rare, the later version is by far more common on this period.
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