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Yak-9D "number 22"
St.Lt. M. Grib
6 GIAP ChF-VMF
ca. June 1944
Camouflage Colors: AMT-11/-12/-7
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Grib's famous Yak-9D "22" must be one of the
best known examples of any VVS aircraft, and yet it is also perhaps the most
argued over. The difficulty arises in the source of the photos of this machine--they
are stills taken from a roll of 16mm movie film. Indeed, the film itself is
not in the greatest condition, as well. However, some new views of this aircraft
have recently emerged, some of which are presented in D. Leypnik's very fine
volume Yak-9: Soldier of the Sky. These were apparently taken from the
film years ago when it was in better condition (they do seem to be higher quality),
and show us more detail of "22".
The current theory regarding "22" which causes
the least argument (and "no" argument would be an impossible claim) is that
the numeral and fuselage star borders are white, perhaps dirtied by some unknown
process or filth. The rudder is currently interpreted to be camouflaged, but
showing extraordinary wear; it might even be some sort of replacement unit.
Some new information also has emerged from
these views. The wing undersurface stars can now be certainly confirmed as a
white bordered type. Some very curious deviations from a more typical NKAP template
scheme (which this is, in general) are apparent, especially on the port wing
which has a very strange 'W' type feature with a hard-edged color demarcation.
The rear fuselage upper/lower color demarcation 'ramp' is quite sharp and angular,
and not at all typical. Indeed, this application could be said to be rather
unique over-all, and not prototypical of this camouflage pattern in any sense.
"22" wears white border type national insignia
in six positions, as shown. The Guards and Order of the Red Banner emblems are
attractively displayed on both sides of the cowling. Six small kill marking
stars are located around the national insignia on the port fin.
Yak-9T "White 66"
pilot u/k
unit u/k
ca. summer 1944
Camouflage Colors: AMT-11/-12/-7
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This Yak-9T is well known from several photographs,
the best of which appears in Red Stars. It was extensively profiled in
Krilya Pobedi magazine throughout the 1960s, and never seemingly the
same way twice. On some prints made from this negative, the coloration looks
to be AMT-4/-6 Green and Black (the type of film in use is unknown; I do not
recognize it at all). Upon reflection, it is most likely the two grey colors,
AMT-11/-12, as it is certainly wearing a very typical NKAP template scheme.
Profiles were make in Krilya Pobedi in both camouflage applications.
An elaborate explanation was given with the
black/green illustration about the meaning of the 'chevron' markings; it was
removed with the grey/grey illustration version, even though the text of the
article did not seem to change. Alas, I do not have this issue of KP
any longer, and I cannot recall what the idea had been, but I suspect that it
was deemed to be incorrect when it was later omitted.
"White 66" wears white border type national
insignia in six positions, as shown. There seem to be no individual markings
nor trim, and this machine is finished in a very classic version of the NKAP
template scheme.