Popkov (and, now, other Aces) La-5FN - Color Markings - Doubt!

[Claudio Moura]

  

Dear all, good morning.

 

I have been searching this forum for clarification on some details of Captain V. I. Popkov's La-5FN, but my doubts remain, just as they are even after hours of research on the Internet. What is happening is:

 

I want to represent this aircraft with my KP kit, but the references I see on many sites give the following characteristics: Numbers "01" in white, with no apparent outline and with white-bordered stars with a red outline, in addition to the tip of the tailplane without any adornment. However, I have an AML decal (#72052) that suggests numbers "01" in aluminum, with a red outline and stars with an aluminum border and red outline, and the tip of the tailplane with a white detail. I read on Massimo Tessitori's page that on the La-5 assembly line, both the numbers and the border of the stars were in white, and further on, he comments on wreckage found of a La-5 where the number in white appears to have a blue outline. I've read about markings with numbers and star borders on aluminum as well, and at this point I have no idea which way to go to best represent the aircraft I want. In fact, if the numbers are white with no outline, I won't be able to represent this aircraft because I don't have, on any of the decals, just the numbers in white with no outline. Oh, and by the way, I don't have the KP decal for this version, which has the numbers completely in white but seems to be out of stock.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I would appreciate if you could give me some guidance on which way to go.

 

Have a good week everyone,
Claudio

 

 

Edited December 28, 2024 by Claudio Moura

[Claudio Moura]

Now I decided to expand my question to 3 other versions of Aces from the decals that I have available:

- "White 76" - Questions ranging from possible colors of the cowling, whether it has a blue outline, red or not in the number and whether or not it has a white vertical stripe on the rudder (AML decal);

 

- "White 30" - Apparently the "best photographed" of those I'm looking for, is there an outline in the number? If so, blue or red? (KP decal);

 

- "White 71" - Photos of the aircraft and the same question about outlines in the numbers. (AML and KP Decal).

 

This question about outlines is because in some photos it doesn't appear to exist but the decals, AML (2007 - 1/72) and KP (2022 - 1/72) do, in red and blue, respectively.

 

 

[Massimo Tessitori]

Hi, 

the emblem on the tail, if any, is still unclear. My idea is that it was similar to the thing on the tail of the plane on the background, but the image is unclear. It could be different from the representation on my profile shown and be a sort of curved arrow, this would be compatible with the few light traces visible on a more frontal image of the plane of Popkov himself.

A similar emblem appears on a photo of a downed LaGG-3, but it seems that it was from another unit.

You can find it here: https://massimotessitori.altervista.org/sovietwarplanes/pages/lagg3/curvedarrow/curvedarrow.html

 

Regards

Massimo

 

Edited December 29, 2024 by Massimo Tessitori

[Jure Miljevic]

Hello,

for Popkin's 01 I would go with a profile on 5 GvIAP webpage ...

 

http://ava.org.ru/iap/5g.htm

 

... that is white numbers without outline and white stripes on the fuselage, white spinner and cowling ring.

In the second number of PKR magazine from 1991 it was suggested that Popkov's La-5 FN was painted in three colour camouflage on top surfaces and also carried Guard's emblem on starboard, and tiger's head on port side of cowling. Also, there is a dedication on port side o fuselage below the 01 number, saying that this plane had been donated by Leonid Utesov jazz orchestra. The four view drawings were the basis for Eduard decals, published at about the same time:

 

https://www.scalemates.com/kits/eduard-d48002-russian-wwii-aces--950516

 

While none of these suggestions is groundless, they apply to other aircraft. On the 5 GvIAP webpage there are several publicity photos of White 12 and 14, taken on central Moscow airfield, while inscriptions Веселые ребята (Jolly fellows) and От джаз-оркестра Л. Утесова (From jazz-orchestra of L. Utesov) are applied on fuselage sides below canopy. Both planes were delivered to 5 GvIAP and there is another photo of White 12 (click on photo with Igor Glazkov) with three or four rather large victory red stars above fuselage insignia while in service with the unit.

The PKR article also includes sketches, based on description, given by Popkov himself in correspondence with author in 1976-79 period. Thin cowling ring is missing and the white rudder tip is present, but otherwise they correspond to the photos of other 5 GvIAP La-5s and colour profile of 01 on the webpage. Cheers

Jure

 

[Massimo Tessitori]

Hi, all these suggestions look possible, but I would have a look to this photo too, that could be (or not) plane 01.  The white area on the rudder looks compatible with the shape shown on the plane on the background of 01.

[Mike Starmer]

I have unbuilt kits of La types and not begun since I read that the numerals were factory applied with medium blue outlines and not red as has been believed for many, many years.  Are there any aftermarket sheets of the La font with blue outlined numerals in 1/72?

[Massimo Tessitori]

To tell the truth, only 2 exhibits of Lavochkin numbers are known, medium blue for La-5FN and dark blue for La-7. It is not clear how all other planes had their outlines, so if you have red ones they can't be demonstrated wrong. 

Regards

Massimo

[warhawk]

2 hours ago, Mike Starmer said:

I have unbuilt kits of La types and not begun since I read that the numerals were factory applied with medium blue outlines and not red as has been believed for many, many years.  Are there any aftermarket sheets of the La font with blue outlined numerals in 1/72?

 

In 72nd by Colibri decals.

Also included with red and black outline.

Edited December 29, 2024 by warhawk

[Claudio Moura]

Dear all, good afternoon.

 

Thank you very much for all the information provided, it has been extremely useful for my decision on the version!! Now I need help and opinion about this pilot and his aircraft. On the website "Planes in Profile" the author shows four possible paint jobs and markings for Vishnyakov's "White 76" and the AML decal indicates the black and red cowling version and, of course, different interpretatios about "number border" (Question 1: what most probabily in this case, red or blue?). I read about the possibilities of each version presented on the website and at least two were based on La-5F to suggest the paint jobs. What do you think about this (Question 2)? I tend to believe that the third option of the "Planes in Profile" profiles is the most plausible... am I missing something important in my "guesswork"? Thank you for sharing your knowledge and study with me.

 

 

 

 And to finally, this is my kit:

 

 

 

 

Happy 2025 to all!!!!! 😄
Claudio

 

 

[Jure Miljevic]

Hello Claudio

Difficult to say. Here is a link to the webpage about the unit:

 

http://ava.org.ru/iap/171.htm

 

Happy new year to you too (and of course the rest of us)! Cheers

Jure

[Mike Starmer]

Thank you for your answer, No definite specified colour then.  May it have been decided by the factory building the aircraft, I know that this sort of action did happen.