A few comments
The Lightening bolt was used by regiments seconded to 303IAD (Division) and for a period such as 9GIAP and the Normandie Neimen and others bore this insignia. It basically identified VVS ac in use through out Northern Ukraine, Belorus, and later Poland/Prussia and later still Germany and Berlin.
There is a drawing of another (Earlier La7) White 23 used in Latvia by a Major of 32GIAP this does have an all red nose.
Source is Osprey I think so be wary.............. I need to check up on "32GIAP" to get some idea of its accuracy.
Re the skin tone.
IMO Greebos rendition of the La5FN uses more accurate camo that would indeed have been the camo originally used on White 23. Greebos camo is the colours fresh out of the factory gate however and some darkening/ staining may have subsequently occurred.
Out of the factory door they were varnished so the colours would have appeared bright but this would have dulled as the varnish yellowed darkening the colours slightly possibly turning the grey(AMT 11 or 12) colour more olive.
Strangely IIRC 9GIAP whilst being Lavochkin equiped in late 44 did not see action in their La7's until (in the main) January. So White 23 of 9GIAP in December would have been in pristine condition at that time.
Mono coloured La7's of 1945 used the darker camo colour of the two tone previously used but some aircraft in use during the winter of 44/45 will have had a light lime wash applied lightening the colours which may have had insignia picked out again in the spring. Popkovs La5FN Yellow 01 is almost certainly one of these where by his flight number and (some think) the star border were picked out in yellow and his flight leader stripes freshly added.
White 23's nose cone IMO should be yellow. Osprey often shows yellow VVS markings as white (Popkovs yellow 01 for example) I have other pictures showing yellow cones on White 23.
The star on the tail of AH White 23 is shortened at the hinge joint. I think this is a skinning error.
There are no stars on the under side of AH White 23 wings. I have not seen a skin of White 23 that does not include them.
The fuselage star of AH White 23 is smaller than all skins of White 23 I have copies off.
The rivits around the exhaust sheild are over done IMO as are those over the wing joint.
All renditions of White 23 I have also show the La7 insignia over the star on the tail vert. However this may have been lost along with the shortening of the star below it.
