Help: VVS Spitfires questions

[jocko-]

I am basically clueless when it comes to VVS Spitfires, I haven't really read anything on the subject and my personal resources are few.  I'm doing a Spit V of 57 GvIAP, '538'/EP210.




NOTE: The arrow is NOT likely to be a part of the finished skin. The colour profile below has the arrow included but every other resource including a period photo does not have it.  Too bad, I think it looks cool 



1.  Does anyone have any other photos of this bird other than this one below?



2.  I've used the same star in six positions, photo evidence has it that they were applied at the maintenance unit before delivery to the U.S.S.R. but I'm not sure about sizing/placement in all six positions, ie. the profile above has the underside stars in a smaller size than the fuselage ones.



3.  Was the CCCP portion of the Guards' badge on the tail fin red or gold like the wreath?  Seems to be 50/50 w.r.t. other resources.


Thanks!

[choppit]

Jocko, this might help,

http://lend-lease.airforce.ru/english/articles/spit/index.htm

IIRC the arrows were added after the planes got to the Soviet Union.

And BTW good looking skin there.

[lyric1]

The arrow is there on the photo but faded out some what.

[jocko-]

The arrow (technically it's a bolt of lightning) in the picture is open to some debate on other forums, what looks like an arrow could just be a flaw in the photo (note the vertical portion near the front of the fuel tank armour). No models I've seen have the arrow (not that I use models as a primary resource  ).  However as Choppit points out it does state in the article that the lightning bolt was in use on I-16s prior to the Spits and on P-39s after the Spits so it's definitely possible, wish I could find more photos.

[choppit]

Well Jocko, the posted picture is from when the spitfires were at the transfer point to the soviet Union in Iran. I think also that the link that I posted had something along the lines of the arrows being removed later in the battle for the Kuban. But you would have to check the link to verify that info.

[Guppy35]

Seems like, we've had this discussion before.  It might have been on the Flypast Forum in the past too.  I think someone was wishful thinking in seeing the arrow on that photo.  The general consensus seemed to be it wasn't there.

Note the profile artist has missed whatever that is that goes up and over the fuel tank in front of the canopy.  It's the same color as the 'arrow' that I don't see.  I sure wish there was another photo to support the arrow.

[lyric1]

Link to a forum with some links that may help. Also some pictures of a Russian spit-9's they may be a better choice to skin. http://www.ww2aircraft.net/forum/aircraft-picture-requests/russian-spitfires-855.html http://www.thescale.info/news/publish/russian-spitfires.shtml

[FTJR]

I just happened to see an Osprey book yesterday with lendlease aircraft in russian service, had a plate of a spit9 with an arrow.... dunno if that helps or not...

[lyric1]

Post it FTJR always good to see other stuff.

[FTJR]

Sorry Mate, cant do it, I saw it in a book store.

[lyric1]

Sorry Mate, cant do it, I saw it in a book store.

I got it. Check out the Russian skins thread I posted.

[Motherland]

Very nice! I've been wanting to see some Russian Spitfires, they're nice looking birds.

[Latrobe]

Looks like I'm going to have another skin to dirty up!