Decal Sheet Review: VVS Fighters, Part II

[ All decal sheet scans have been deliberately skewed and distorted at random angles to dissuade illegal reproduction or Copyright infringement by any such parties. The precise line and measurement of any specific marking, therefore, should not be taken literally from these illustrations. ]

AeroMaster      Sheet No.72-036     "Fighting Lavochkins"
 
 

    This large AeroMaster sheet was designed to provide decal markings for the various La-5 and La-7 aircraft profiled in the late Mikhail Abanshin's book, Fighting Lavochkins , in addition to some other schemes based on photographs appearing in different works. While the quality of the decals themselves is quite fine, the attention to detail and research evidenced by this sheet cannot make the same claim. Still, in most cases the decals themselves are useable, though caution is due in a number of cases.

Schemes
    Seven schemes are provided on this sheet, including complete national markings for each aircraft.

1. La-7 "White 93", Sergei Dolgyushin, 156 IAP, 1945:    Basically taken directly from F.L., this scheme is a nice representation of Dolgyushin's trusty "no.93" La-7. The scheme should, however, be a single upper surface coat of AMT-11.
2. La-5FN "Yellow 01", Vitaly Popkov, 5 GIAP, Winter 1944-45:    Another erroneous attempt at Popkov's machine, probably taken from the Osprey book color plate. Popkov's aircraft was finished in a typical AMT-11/-12/-7 scheme. There is still debate over the colouration of the numerals and star trim, with the view split between yellow and dirty white. The spinner is now known to have been white, as well.
3. La-7 "White 63", Sergei Dolgyushin, 156 IAP, 1944:    Another fine decal set for Dolgyushin's earlier La-7. AMT-11 signle-colour application, again.
4. La-7 "White 27", Ivan Kozhedub, 176 GIAP, 1945:   These markings are alas plagued by red borders, both on the star and numerals. A thorough look at "27" can be found here.
5. La-5 "White 15", Grigori Kostylev, 1945:    The national stars on the fuselage and tail should be  white bordered types, not Victory stars. The remainder of this decal set should be fairly useable, however. The instructions sheet's colouration must be ignored.
6. La-7 "White 23", Pavel Golovachov, 69 IAP, 1944:   Photographs of "White 23" are rather incomplete, and therefore it is hard to determine the exact appearance of the aircraft. On balance, it was probably more likely that the nationa stars were not Victory types, but rather featured a plain white border. The background to the 'eagle' artwork is a source of intensive debate, and no conclusions are yet possible on this matter.
7. La-5FN "White 15", Pavel Likholitov, 159 IAP, 1944:    I have no idea where on earth the idea that the markings on this aircraft were silver came from, but this is certainly incorrect. The tactical numeral is in white, as is the text " Za Vaska i Shoru ", though this inscription features a thin red outline. The national stars are simple white-bordered type. I'm afraid there is nothing to use on this one.

Eduard (Propagteam)     Sheet No.D 72-001      "Russian WWII Aces, P-39 Airacobra"
 
 

    One of a series of excellent new VVS decal sheets from Propagteam, these decals are absolutely of the highest quality in manufacture. Alas, the documentation on the markings and colors of these machines is not of a much higher order than is the case elsewhere, and much remains to be desired in regards to the national insignia. Some questions remain, and we will examine those below.

Schemes
    Five complete sets of markings cover this sheet, all depicting well-known VVS Airacobra aces.

1. P-39N "White 100", Alexander Pokrishkin, 16 GIAP, 1944:    As a default note for the entire set, the national insignia did not have a blue surround. An examination of this matter can be found here. "100" did look to have Victory type stars, however, and the rest of the markings are useable.
2. P-39N "White 04", A. Zakalyuk, 104 GIAP, 1944:  This scheme awaits the location of the reference photograph. A previous shot, alleged to show this machine, was discovered not to be Zakalyuk's P-39.
3. P-39N "White 45", Aleksandr Klubov, 16 GIAP, 1944:    Useful markings; discard national stars.
4. P-39N "White 01", Gennady Dolnikov, 100 GIAP, 1944:    Useful markings; discard national stars.
5. P-39N "White 50", Kiril Suchov, 16 GIAP, 1944:    The decals for this aircraft appear to be quite fine, but I see no evidence at all of the curious camouflage application cited by Eduard. In fact, all three pictures I have seen of this machine lead me to believe that we see nothing on this P-39 besides a somewhat worn Olive Drab finish.

SuperScale International    No.72-681     "Yak-3 Normandie-Niemen"
 
 

    A somewhat more recent SuperScale VVS sheet, this one documents some of the nice Yakovlev fighters of the Normandie-Niemen units. Typically of higher quality, and often reacting well to setting solution, these decals are delightful to work with. Sheet No.681 features the machines of three French Yak-3 aces, and includes some very interesting selections.

Schemes
    Three schemes are provided on this sheet.
 

1. Yak-3 "White Infinity", Louis Delfino, 303 IAD, 1944:    Col. Delfino, the Commander of the N-N Regiment, was a bit of a wild character, and had his tactical number rendered as "infinity". This decal set covers his machine well, although the painting and color guide issued with the sheet is utterly ridiculous, and can be quickly thrown out. All of these machines wear the usual AMT-11/-12/-7 livery with rather normal color theme applications.
2. Yak-3 "White 4", Roger Marchi, 303 IAD, 1944:    Marchi was thought to be the first N-N pilot to paint a large Cross of Lorraine on the rudder/fin of his Yak (first on his -1, then -3), a practice later taken up by the entire unit while in eastern Germany. Good decal set, though a large Cross decal would be nice here.
3. Yak-3 "White 5", Roger Sauvage, 303 IAD, 1944:    Another fine set for "White 5".

Tally Ho!      Sheets No. 7106, 7107      "I-15 Fighters"
 
 

    Not usually though of as a decal manufacturer, Aviation Usk nonetheless is responsible for several markings sheets. These two related sheets, 7106 and 7107 cover a number of I-15, I-152, and I-153 fighters. In fact, despite their diminutive size, these two sheets contain markings for fully twenty-five aircraft! Extraordinary! The decals themselves are of medium quality, and though not as thin as Propagteam or SuperScale transfers, they do seem to snug down fairly well with the skillful application of setting solution.

Schemes
    25 individual aircraft make up these sheets, all of them I-15 family fighters.

1. I-15 "White 58", Frank Tinker, 1 Esqudrilla, 1937:    Fine decal set, though my references differ on the correct numeral of Tinker's I-15, some claiming "56" and others "58".
2. I-15 "White 131", " Jose ", 3 Esqudrilla, 1937:    The aircraft of the 3a Esq.'s nebulous Commander, widely suspected to be none other than the superb I-15/-153 ace Boris Gritsevets. The markings here are quite nice.
3. I-15 "White 151", Antonio Aguar, 3 Esqudrilla, 1937:    Another fine set, though Aguar's cowling was usually painted red.
4. I-15 [CA-142], Vicente Castillo, 1 Esqudrilla, 1938:    The green shade of this machine's cowling is a matter of heated debate, and many authors claim that it was in fact blue. Fine decal set.
5. I-15 [CA-87], unknown pilot, 2 Esqudrilla, 1938:    Well done 2a Esq. unit decals on this one. Nice.
6. I-15 [CA-193], Lionel Campos, 2 Esqudrilla, 1939:    Another fine set.
7. I-15 "White (CA) 152", unknown pilot, 2 Esqudrilla, 1939:    Well done decal set here. "125" may have belonged to the German anti-Nazi pilot/adventurer Luther Malchenburg, at least for a time while at Cartagena. Malchenburg was caught by Italian troops in 1939 and summarily shot.
8. I-15 "Red 1", Viktor Kubrikov, 15 IAP, 1938:    Finish is standard Dark Olive Green over Brilliant Medium Blue livery. Decal set is rather good.
9. I-15 "White 5", unknown pilot, 1 IAP, 1938:    Simple decal set, here, but perfectly fine.
10. I-15 "Yellow 2", Sergei Timolenko, 6 IAP, 1939:    A well done set here for "Yellow 2"; nice.
11. I-15 "White 46", Estado Major, 1 Esqudrilla, 1937:    A fine decal set. The color guide alleges that this machine had a 'Spanish Use' application on the upper wing, consisting of Dark Olive Green mottled over Sand Brown . I have no photographic evidence to refute or substantiate the claim.
12. I-15 "White 15", Leopold Morquillas, 2 Esqudrilla, 1938:    Another fine set.
13. I-153 "White 6", N. Ahounis, LeLv 6, 1942:    Very nice.
14. I-153 "Black 69", unknown, 1941:    The finish on this machine was indeed over-all dull silver dope. It is likely from the inventory of the 1 IAP, though there is no direct evidence as yet to support this idea.
15. I-153 "Red 12", Pyotr Nishnikov, 13 OAE KBF, 1941:    Markings are fine as provided, both for VVS and LeLv service.
16. I-153 [IT-19], N. Ahounius, LeLv 6, 1941:    I have no further information on this scheme.
17. I-153 "White 9", LeLv 6, 1942:    I have no further information on this scheme.
18. I-153 "White 9" [IT-16], LeLv 6, 1942:    I have no further information on this scheme.
19. I-152 [VH-11], LLv 11, 1940:    I have no further information on this scheme.
20. I-152 [IH-2], LeLv 34, 1943:    Fine decal set again.
21. I-152 "Red 5", Leningrad VO, unknown pilot, 1941:    Markings here are for "Red 5", which I do not recognize.
22. I-152 "Yellow 110", 265 ShAP, unknown pilot, 1941:    The numeral and fin flash should be yellow. The scheme looks to have been AII Green over Blue
23. I-153 "White 1", LeLv 6, 1942:    I have no further information on this scheme.