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The early version of MiG-3 can be distinguished by the following:
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.
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 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. |
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 |
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