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La-5F "White 17"
pilot u/k
3 GIAP VMF-KBF
ca. summer 1944
Camouflage Colors: AMT-4/-6/-7
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La-5F "White 17" was photographed in service
with the 3 GIAP KBF (Baltic Fleet) during 1944. Several examples of this photograph
have appeared in various sources, the best of these probably being the picture
presented in Red Stars. The pilot of "17" has yet to be identified.
This aircraft is wearing a classic mid-1943
era camouflage pattern which was used at all three La-5 factories, and from
Moscow and Ulan-Ude in AMT lacquers only. "17" is indeed finished in AMT colors
4/6/7, and the cowl bands appear to have been unpainted. The exhaust port flaps
are also unfinished, which is a bit unusual, but in all other respects this
aircraft is a classic example of this scheme. The spinner and rudder have been
painted white, but some significant wear is just becoming obvious on the rudder
surfaces, which are beginning to show the underlying color. The use of the plain
red stars is also notable, and a bit 'old fashioned' for the likely date of
manufacture (mid-'43).
"White 17" is wearing plain red star insignia
in six positions, as shown. The rudder and spinner have been painted white,
and no 'motor-type' logo (see below) is present on the cowling.
La-5F "White 66"
pilot u/k
21 IAP
ca. summer 1944
Camouflage Colors: AMT-11/-12/-7
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This very attractive La-5F was photographed
in service with the 21 IAP during the summer of 1944. The pilot of "66" is unknown.
"White 66" wears a very typical example of
the 1944 NKAP fighter template camouflage as implemented on the La-5 programme.
The classic wavy 'scribble' feature is present on the port nose and port wing,
while the starboard fuselage is slightly unique in the color pattern under the
cockpit area and on the rear fuselage. The lacquers are AMT-11/-12/-7, and the
large white tactical numerals are quite common from Zavod 21 (Gor'ki).
The cowl bands appear to have been unpainted. These two La-5F aircraft make
for a fascinating contrast between VVS camouflage practices from 1943 to 1944.
"66" wears white bordered national insignia
in four positions, as shown; the wing undersurface markings cannot be determined,
and have been illustrated as plain red types. An 'F' motor-type logo is present
on both sides of the engine cowling.
La-5FN "White 17"
pilot u/k
unit u/k
ca. summer 1944
Camouflage Colors: AMT-11/-12/-7
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This particular La-5FN has been the subject
of innumerable profiles and other artwork over the years, and often has been
held up as a 'typical' Soviet finish for the 1944 period. The best photos of
this machine appeared traditionally in Profile Publications No.149, though other
examples may be found in Air Enthusiast, many Salamander titles, and so on.
"White 17" is certainly finished in the usual
1944 fighter colors of AMT-11/-12/-7, and the pattern has some semblance to
an NKAP template job. However, it is by no means prototypical, and in
fact is quite unique. The upper surface pattern is the closest to the usual
application, but even so demonstrates some significant deviations from the normal
practice. The port engine cowling pattern is inexplicable, and one wonders if
some type of repainting is not evidenced here? As well, the starboard cowling
seems to be typical on the lower section, and completely atypical on the upper
part. The scheme present on the rudder seems incongruous with the rest of the
aircraft.
In general, one might suspect that this machine
had been manufactured in 1943, and was refinished in the grey colors in 1944
in the field. Certainly, one does encounter a very large number of La-5s with
this treatment. However, the fact that the cowl bands are nicely unpainted,
and the presence of the Factory applied 'motor-type' logo, seem to argue against
this. It is mysterious, and we will probably never know how it ended up looking
this way.
"White 17" wears white bordered national insignia
in four positions, as shown; the wing undersurface markings cannot be determined,
and have been illustrated as plain red types. A round 'FN' motor-type logo is
present on both sides of the engine cowling.