winter

MiG-3s during winter 1941/42

Last modified on August 16, 2005 file name: winter.html

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.
The aircraft is an early type MiG-3, but with slats.

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 was by far more common on this period.

Another example during the winter. It is without the sliding canopy, and bears a small red star on the spinner.
The unit and place are unknown.
The photo has been colourized by the author.

	Three photos showing a line of MiG-3s on the Vnukovo airport, near Moscow. Photos were taken on March 7 1942 when the 120 IAP of the Moscow Air Defence (PVO) was made a Guards Regiment as 12 Gv.IAP as a reward for its merits. from OKB MiG
	The line shows both white-painted and camouflaged aircraft, all armed with rocket launchers. These photos are a good source of beautiful profiles. from Red Stars (old edition)
	from "Unknown battles on the Moscow skies" of Hazanov
	This image shows aircrafts of 12 Gv.IAP ready to fly; red 39 is recognizable here again. On these days, the maintenance services of 120 IAP were able to rearrange many flyable MiG-3s from damaged examples. from "Unknown battles on the Moscow skies" of Hazanov

Here is an example with a roughly brushed white winter layer on the Moscow front, winter 1941/42.

from "Unknown battles on the Moscow skies" of Hazanov

This photo shows a partially dismounted aircraft.
The visibility of the internal structures is noteworthy.
The aircraft shows some rough repainting.

from Batailles Aeriennes

	A pilot has just landed after having suffered combat damage.
	The damage is examined by ground crew while the plane is refuelled. Note the strange lightness of the red star.
	The damage seen from below. It looks due to an explosive round fired from above.
	An interesting plane with a partial white finish on the temperate camo. Note underwing rockets. The sliding hood frame looks cutten in its corner.
	A detail of a MiG-3, possibly the same of the image above. Note the cutten corner of the sliding hood; perhaps this make opening easier in some way, or provided more ventilation. Note the dark finish of many internal details.
	This interesting image show "white 40" with its pilot and ground crew. A cover (white on one side, dark on the other one) covers the nose and is being removed. The date, place, unit and pilot's name are still unknown, but they are by sure the same of the photos above.
	Technicians working under the engine of a MiG-3, possibly on the oil pump.
	Many planes of this unit were without any painted code. So far, planes with No.40 and 5 on the rudder have been identified in this unit. The base camouflage looks green and black for all the observed aircraft of this squadron. Some of them have overall black engine cowling.
	This plane had underwing rockets. Note the strange painting of its engine cowling. All the observed aircraft were of late model, with radio devices and slats. It looks that at least one was armed with triple rocket rails.
	This plane features a white blotch on its nose too.

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