updated on April 10, 2005
file name: mig3am38.html
This aircraft is the only MiG-3 fitted with the AM-38 engine in factory
in August 1941. This engine gave higher power but less altitude capability
than the AM-35A. The aircraft had a significant improvement in its low-altitude
performance, and outclassed even the Bf-109F. The trials showed the necessity
to redesign the oil and water radiators because of the higher heat generation
of the new engine, and as well, the Il-2 program was prioritary for the
use of the AM-38 engine. Because of these factors, the program was halted.
A pair of other MiG-3s were re-engined in such way in operative
units.
The characteristics look to be:
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late type with slats;
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a small pipe on the left side, collecting inert exhast from the 2nd and
3rd stacks of the exhaust pipes for anti-flame inert gas system of the
fuel tanks;
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exhaust pipes similar (if not identical) to the series examples; the aircraft
carried two different configurations for exhaust stacks, I don't know if
this is the early or the late one;
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green and dark green camouflage;
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slightly oblique fuselage star, with black outline;
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particularly large stars under the wings;
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a (probably) red band on the top of the fin;
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"95" roughly painted (or drawn with chalk) on the fin;
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propeller blades with aluminium forward surface and black rear surface.
This plan view is hypothetical, based on the similarity of the profile
camo scheme with the example "white 04". |
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