Eskadrilya Valeriy Chkalov 
La-5 n.99
By Massimo Tessitori
File updated on October 30, 2004
 go to "Eskadrilya Valeriy Chkalov"

 
This famous image represents La-5 n. 99 of  4 GIAP (Guards Fighter Regiment) of Red Banner Baltic Fleet, and was taken in Leningrad area in July 1943.
The fighter was donated by worker D.I. Moskoliov from collective farm "Noviy Put" ("New Way").
The pilot on the left is Starshiy Leytenant S.N.Bychkov; it isn't known if he was the pilot of this aircraft.
Note the dark bluish uniforms and emblems of the Navy.

 
The camo scheme of the fuselage is almost perfectly symmetrical.
The writing "Ot Kolkhoznikov i kolkhoznits Gorkovskoy oblasti" on the starboard is painted by stencil, red over green/black camo and white over red star.
The red stars have the standard black outline.
The light trim, possibly white, is visible in some not cropped versions of this image.
On the port, there was surely written an inscription "Eskadrilya Valeriy Chkalov" in white and red.

 
 
The camo schemes of most known aircraft (40, 60, 66, 84, 99...) look nearly identical, and are compatible with this scheme drawn with the help of Soviet Air Force Fighter Colors 1941-1945 by Erik Pilawskii, modified to fit the available images.

 
 go to "Eskadrilya Valeriy Chkalov"