Il-2 white 82 'Valeriy Chkalow' and white 91

 

Updated on November 4, 2013
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Il-2 white 82 entitled to Valeriy Chkalov, the HSU test pilot died while testing the first I-180.

The inscription looks present on the plane on the background too; being made by mask, it could easily be on both sides. The white band on the tail is characteristic of this unit. This plane has a thin white band on the nose, just behind the spinner, interrupted by the cooling intakes.

The plane shows the VV-1 external aiming device introduced in mid 1942.

The camouflage pattern of this plane is unusual: the black amoeba on the tail is deformed into an horizontal band passing through the stabilizer (as on some planes of summer 1941) and the other black bands are different than usual planes of z.18.

Image from Red Stars of Geust, Keskinen, Stenman, ed. Apali

This image shows the same plane, confirming its unusual camo pattern.

Other planes of the unit show a black-white spinner.

We can see aiming lines on the nose of the first plane, suggesting that the photo was taken not before mid 1942.

 

Below: a drawing of plane 82 made for the book of Jason Moore

White 91 is of the same unit of White 82 'Valeriy Chkalov', but it don't show any slogan.

For what can be understood, the camo of this plane is usual for a plane of z.18.

 

The black-white finish of the spinner of White 91 is evident.

Despite the damaged wing, we recognize the VYa-23 gun barrel.

The plane is partially hidden by tree branches, probably because the pilot thought that it was recoverable after the crash landing

 

Below: a drawing of this plane made for the book on Il-2 by Jason Moore.