Many photos of German origin show many wrecked MiG-3 with common characteristics: prewar production, with two digits numbers of characteristic font and size on the fuselage sides, with red stars on the tail but not on the fuselage, and with black bands roughly oversprayed to the original AII green upper and side surfaces. The planes look to have been lost on summer 1941, even if some of the photos were taken much later. At present time we don't know the location nor the unit that was operating the planes. Many of the photos show only parts of the planes, but their look seems consistent enough to allow a reconstruction of their look.

	The most photographed of these planes is n.14. The camo pattern of the tail and rear fuselage is still recognizable, while it is not clear on the nose. The position of the black bands was probably chosen to hide the prewar style stars and numbers. The repainting was likely made at the end of June or in July; for a brief time, the repainting instruction of the NKAP (Industry Ministry) didn't include the stars on the fuselage sides, that became standard after some weeks. The planes were typical prewar production, with the early style engine cowling and exhaust fairings, and no slats on the leading edge of the wing consoles. It is not clear if plane 14 had the radio mast when still operational, but the photos don't show any wire or tensioner. The photo shows some black oversprayings on the main landing gear covers to reduce the visibility from above.   Images from Scalemodels.ru and MiG-1/3, Mushrooms
	Below: reconstruction of the camouflage pattern of plane 14. It was traced taking into account what we can see on the photos of 14 and of other planes shown in photos below; where photos weren't clear, the pattern was completed with the standard NKAP template of 1941 that has some resemblance. Photos seem to show that one side panel and the spinner were in uniform green, probably parts cannibalized from another plane. The position of the star on the tail is slightly asymmetrical, being moved more rearwards on the left side; all the photos of other similar MiG-3s show that the rearwards position of this star was the most common. There were black oversprayings over the front part of the main gear covers, not visible on the profile with retracted gear.
	Plane n.15 is shown in poor state, but the markings and camouflage are well visible. Undoubtably, there is not any red star painted on the fuselage sides. The pattern looks consistent with plane 14. Images from Scalemodels.ru
	Photo of plane 17 shot on Shatalovo airfield, in Smolensk region, Western front probably in summer 1941. The photo desn't allo wt determine the regiment. The image shows an interesting detail of the camouflage pattern: on the lower part of the left side there is a black half-ball just as on the NKAP template f 1941, often seen on LaGG-3s, Il-2s and other types but very rare on miG-3s that had a short rear fuselage and usually omitted it. https://imf.forum24.ru/?1-4-0-00000034-000-240-0-1679636934
	Plane 17 shows a compatible pattern of painting. Again, no trace of red stars on the fuselage. Images from Scalemodels.ru
	Plane 18 doesn't show clearly its camouflage; one can note that the spinner was somewhat lighter than the cowling panels, and this can be seen on plane 14 too. Images from Scalemodels.ru
	Plane 19 is so lucky to still have its wings, at least on some photos, and other details of the camo pattern can be seen; it looks consistent with the planes above. Images from Scalemodels.ru and from the web.
	Below: reconstruction of the look of plane 19.

Credits:

Aleksandrs Ruchkovsky, Vitaliy Timoshenko

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This work collects also a lot of photos and drawings from many sources, not always identified and mentioned.
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Massimo Tessitori