Operation Barbarossa: MiG-3s wrecked and captured by Germans

last modified on February 28, 2005 file name: mig3captured.html

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At the date of the German attack, 17 Soviet Air Force regiments (IAPs) based near the Soviet borders had already received a total of 917 MiGs, plus 64 received by Baltic and Black Sea Naval Aviation; in spite of this, only pilots of few units (20th Mixed Air Division, 41st, 124th, 126th IAP of the Western Special Military District and the 23rd Kiev Air Regiment, 55 IAP on the Southern front) were able to fly well this aircraft.

The attack came in a strongly unfavourable moment for Soviet Air Force, because:

the most of his experienced officers and pilots (many thousands of men) had been imprisoned or executed during the purges wanted by Stalin during the late '30s, so that the most of his officials at the date of the outbreak of the war had limited experience of command and of war; every initiative was discouraged by terror of terrible punishment, and political commissars supervisioned all unit commanders since 1937 until 1940, when this system was abolished; it was a transitional moment between two generation of fighters that required well different combat techniques; the new fighters, as the MiG-3, were not yet technically perfectioned.

Probably, Stalin was conscious of the weakening of his armed forces, and made anything to gain time delaying the war; he ignored many informations preannouncing the German attack some months before. He thought they were false informations, maybe created by British or by German officers that wanted him to react with some provocations to force Hitler to really start a war against him. For example, Major General S. Chernykh, commander of the powerful 9th Mixed Air Division of the Western Special Military District, noticed the tension on the border and repeatedly asked instructions to the High Command, that answered "Just don't give in to any provocation". So the aircrafts remained aligned on their airfields and uncamouflaged; many front-line airports were at less than 10 km from the border, even within the range of ground artillery.

Some destroyed MiG-3s in an airport captured by Germans. The devastation caused by fire is evident. The aircrafts based near the border were forthemost destroyed during the first attack of the Luftwaffe on the early morning of June 22, 1941, the first day of war. The 9th Mixed Aircraft Division had a total of 409 aircrafts, of which at least 233 were new MiGs; it lost 347 of its aircrafts on the first day of war, fortemost destroyed on the ground. The following days the Division commander General Chernykh was arrested as a "people's enemy" and shot, in spite of his value during the Spanish Civil War and of his award as Hero of the Soviet Union.

The pilot D. Kokonev was one of the few to take off with an I-16, and rammed a German bomber at half past four in the morning; this was the first "taran" attack of the Great Patrioctic War. On the morning of 22 June, Soviet Army air Force Commander General P. Zhigarev sent 99 new MiG-3s on the front, but the decision was wrong: Soviets had to evacuate rapidly many airfields, and often there was not the possibility to fly away all aircrafts, so many of them had to be abandoned or destroyed. On June 24, there was not a single new fighter in the west, but on 25 June more than 200 new aircrafts arrived, and new regiments arrived at the front daily.

The photo above shows an aircraft captured by Germans in summer 1941, probably at Minsk. The underwing pod looks to be without gun, because no barrel protrudes from it. Note the opened panels of gun pods ammo and of wingroot fuel tanks, and the flap of the oil cooler outlet in fully opened position on the side of the nose.
Copyright Jan Koennig. Please see his photo gallery of Soviet aircrafts at http://www.jetjournal.net

A photo of a captured MiG-3. Some bullet holes on the fuselage show stripped fabric, and yellow putty appears visible. The fuel tank appear as exploded, but no traces of fire are visible.

Photo colorized by Massimo Tessitori on an original bw base of Jan Koennig

This aircraft looks damaged, in particular its propeller blades are broken (not bended), probably by Soviets before leaving the aircraft. The aircraft looks to have been repainted on its upper surfaces, probably by Germans after the capture, to camouflage it against Russian air attacks.

Two excellent photos of an example captured by Germans. The aircraft appears tho have suffered some damage for a bomb blast. Note the swastika overposed to the red star on the fuselage. The radio installation was relatively rare on early MiG-3s, and became more common on later examples. Note the red star over the wing uppersurface, that was standard on pre-war MiGs. This use was abandoned when the war started, to reduce the visibility from above, and was replaced by painting red stars on the tail. The Germans captured 22 MiGs in near-flyable condition and tried to sell them to Finland. Finns were aware of the problems of MiG-3s, so they refused to pay them, hoping to obtain them for free, but this didn't happened.
Copyright Jan Koennig. Please see his photo gallery of Soviet aircrafts at http://www.jetjournal.net

A photo of a damaged MiG-3 of the 31 IAP on Kaunas airfield, occupied by Germans. This aircraft is the same represented in the colorized photo above, with German officers. The MiG-3s were already operational in many hundred examples in July 1941, so were destroyed on the ground or captured in a greater quantity than other new-generation Soviet fighters, such as the LaGG-3 and Yak-1.

from Salamander- modern fighting aircrafts-MiG

Further MiG-3 captured at Siauliai air base. The photos show many I-16, SB-2, SB-2bis and a German He-111. Note the non-homogeneous color of the green MiG; this look was recurrent on many early MiGs. It is not clear if it was due to color alteration (as the difference between wooden and metallic parts could suggest), repainting, or if it is a sort of camouflage. Compare the shade of MiG with the darker color of I-16s. On most units there were both old Polikarpov fighters and MiGs, not mastered by most pilots, that often chose to fly biplanes instead of new fighters.

On the Northern front, German troops occupied the Kaunas airport, in Lithuania, on June 25; there they

found 86 soviet Airplanes of 8 SAD, forthemost leaved undamaged, including many MiG-1s and MiG-3s of 31th IAP (the unit had 37 MiGs in service).

from Barbarossa victims

This image shows German soldiers on a wrecked MiG-3. This example features an unusually horizontal demarcation line between light blue and green on the fuselage; usually this line is oblique, from the wingroot to the tail surface leading edge. It's evident that rear fuselage (wooden) and metallic parts of fuselage, wing and tail were painted before being assembled.
Copyright Jan Koennig. Please see his photo gallery of Soviet aircrafts at http://www.jetjournal.net

This dramatic photo shows probably examples of 31 IAP, captured by Germans probably at Kaunas air base at the beginning of the war.
From Barbarossa Victims

Here is a damaged example captured by Germans. It looks to have a 2-green field-made camouflage, while one wing is from a different aircraft, with a mysterious light color (perhaps yellow putty after the stripping down of the fabric layer covering the wooden wing). The damage appears to have been produced by the nearby blast of a bomb; perhaps some souvenir hunter collaborated to this.
from Barbarossa victims

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Operation Barbarossa: MiG-3s wrecked and captured by Germans (2nd part)

last modified on August 16, 2005 file name: mig3captured2.html

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This exceptional color photo shows two MiG-3s captured by Germans at Reichlin air base, where all captured Russian aircrafts were tested. Note hand painted black cross over the red star, and the differences in the colour of metal (forward) and wooden (rear) part of the fuselage. The light of the sunfall alters the shades, but the colors should be green and light blue. Note the blue tint of the windscreen and canopy.

from Barbarossa victims

Two exceptional color photos of a destroyed MiG-3. The small size of the star and the apparently uniform green painting are typical of MiG-3s on early days of the war. The apparently sand color should be the yellow primer, visible on wood surfaces when the painted fabric layer has been removed. The image apparenly demonstrates that the color of undercarriages and flaps was the same light blue used on undersurfaces, and that the wheel disk was bottle green. A straight propeller blade visible on the first photo could mean that the aircraft was hit on the ground, not on landing or takeoff.

A beautiful profile image of an unmarked MiG-3 captured bu Germans.

An abandoned MiG-3 with the typical look of prewar aircrafts. The ground appears partially covered by snow or frost and leaves, so the image has to be taken many months after the capture of this place.

Copyright Jan Koennig. Please see his photo gallery of Soviet aircrafts at http://www.jetjournal.net

The protection of some trees wasn't sufficient to save this aircraft from being captured, and some other close ones from total destruction. On most Soviet airports, Soviet leaved the aircrafts uncamouflaged and aligned on the ground, and this easened the task of German attack planes.

from Barbarossa Victims

Two shots of a partially destroyed aircraft on an airport captured by Germans. This aircraft belonged to 38 PAE (Air Recognition Regiment) from PVO (Home Air Defence) of Moscow. Noteworty are the non-standard camouflage, reparations with fabric rectangles, and forward-pointed red star.

Two shots of a MiG-3 captured by the Rumanians. A Ukrainian defector flew this MiG-3 to Melitopol airfield on 3 December 1941, surrounding to Rumanian troops.

photo from Migi Stalina (restored)

The photos look to show the aircraft both as green and as camouflaged; perhaps the scheme was modified during the aircraft's life in Rumanian hands.

An image of a MiG-3 fuselage captured and loaded on a train . The white outline on the tail star only is noteworty. The camouflage shows an unusually low demarcation line, probably repainted on the field. This looks shoot in late summer 1941 or even 1942.
Copyright Jan Koennig. Please see his photo gallery of Soviet aircrafts at http://www.jetjournal.net

This captured MiG-3 looks to have a repainting on its stabilizer that could cover a "7".
Photo copyright Jan van den Heuvel

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MiG-3s on war on summer 1941

last modified on December 20, 2003 file name: summer.html

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The geographical organization of the Soviet Air Forces At the start of the war, the Soviet Front and Army Air force were organized by districts: Leningrad Military District (later Northern Front); Baltic Special Military District (later Northwest front); Western Special Military District (later Western Front); Kiev Special Military District (later Southwest Front); Odessa Military District (later Southern Front). The Soviet Navy Aviation was organized so: Northern fleet Baltic Fleet Black Sea Fleet. Besides, before the war, the PVO (Protivovozdushnogo Oborona, Anti-Air Defence forces) was created, including interceptors units, antiaircraft guns and searchlights units, to coordinate them; else, it was difficult to coordinate the fighters units of the VVS with artillery units of the Army. The 6th IAK-PVO (Fighter aviation Corp of the Air Defence) was created on 20 June 1941 to defend Moscow, while 7th IAK-PVO was created on July 7 to defend Leningrad, and 8th IAK-PVO in November to defend Baku. At first, the coordination action of the PVO was theoretical, but later (from January 1942) the PVO became effectively a separate arm of the Soviet Armed Forces, as the Army, Navy and Air Force.

Some elite fighter Regiments Five new regiments were staffed by test pilots, on initiative of the Hero of the Soviet Union Stepan Suprun; such elite units should try to regain air superiority, and give to other pilots examples of how to use new fighters.

Two of those Regiments, the 401 IAP headed by S. Suprun himself, and the 402 IAP led by Lieutnant Colonel Peotr Stefanovsky, were equipped with 67 newly built MiG-3 fighters, and sent to the front on June 30.

The 401 IAP was based on the airport of Zubovo near Smolensk, on the Western Front, and was employed on intensive ground attack, reconaissance and air combat at low or medium altitude, shooting down 8 enemy aircrafts on July 2 and 3. On July 4, Suprun alone had to attack some German aircrafts marauding his airport, shooting down a Ju88, but then he was shot down by an escort Bf-109 and died. During his last day, he downed four enemy aircrafts. He was posthumously awarded as Hero of the Soviet Union for the second time.

MiG-3s n.36, 42, 57 and 49 of 401 IAP. The painting of at least some of them should include black repaintings with a characteristic scheme, that is not clear on these photos, but appears on some videotapes.

The 402 IAP, based on the Velikie Luki airfield in the Leningrad District, had Captain Proshakov as one of its most able pilots, performing even a subcessful night interception of Dornier bombers over Idritsa, shooting down one of them, and then landing in the darkness on the unprepared airfield using only his own landing light. During the summer, both 401 IAP and 402 IAP were assigned to the Moscow Air Defense (PVO). Another regiment able to fly well the MiG-3 was the 55 IAP on the Southern Front; it was the unit of the future Hero of the Soviet Union Alexander Pokryshkin, that obtained his first 12 victories on a MiG-3; of these, 5 were on Bf-109E of Jagdgeschwader 77. He was one of the first pilots to understand that the good manoeuvrability of the MiG-3 on the vertical plan should be exploited flying high, then diving on the enemy gaining speed, use it to choose a good firing position, fire and then pitch to regain altitude and to subtract to the reaction of the enemy. Some high-altitude combats were subcessful, demonstating that many defects shown on early aircrafts were resolved. On September 28, 1941, the pilot B Pirozkhov of 124th IAP , Moscow PVO, intercepted an enemy reconaissance plane at 8,000 m altitude, and followed it till to 10,000 m altitude shooting it down. Moscow front Before the war, the PVO (Protivovozdushnogo Oborona, Anti-Air Defence forces) was created, including interceptors units, anti-aircraft guns and machine guns units, searchlights units and balloons, to coordinate them; else, it was difficult to coordinate the fighters units of the VVS with artillery units of the Army.

The PVO of Moscow was officially created on February 14, 1941, headed by General M.S. Gromadin. The fighters regiments of the PVO were based within a range of about 120 km from the centre of Moscow; it should operate within a range of 200 km, and it had to intercept enemy aircrafts before they arrive closer than 80 km from the centre; they were intended both for day and night interceptions. The 6th IAK-PVO (Istrebitelnyi Aviatsionnyi Korpus, Fighter aviation Corp of the Air Defence) was created on 20 June 1941 to defend Moscow, on the base of the former 24th IAD and of the administration of 78 IAD (a division still on constitution). It was headed by Colonel I.D. Klimov. On July 1941, the 6th IAK had about 700 fighters, of which about 200 were MiG-3s. The 6th IAK included the following fighter regiments:

11th IAP; 16th IAP 24th IAP; 27th IAP; 34th IAP; 120th IAP; 176th IAP; 177th IAP; 178th IAP; 233th IAP; 309th IAP; 123th IAP; 124th IAP; 126th IAP; 401th IAP; 402th IAP;

Yak-1 MiG-3 MiG-3 and I153 MiG-3 MiG-3 and I153

commanded by Lieutnant Colonel T. Prutskov; it destroyed 72 enemy aircrafts during 1941 commanded by Major A.Pisanko commanded by Major L Rybkin, it distinguished itself in the protection of ground objectives as troops and railway traffic, and operated intensely even with bad weather. 120 IAP, that distinguished himself and was made Guards as 12 GvIAP on March 1942.

I-16 and LaGG-3

MiG-3 MiG-3 MiG-3 and Yak-1 MiG-3 and

from June from June from June from June from June

Yak-1 95th IAP (ex 95th Pe-3 SBAP); 208th SBAP Pe-3 from September fromOctober

Besides, the Moscow area was defenced by the 77 SAD (mixed Air Division), including 41th IAP, 28th IAP(MiG-3) and 29th IAP (I-16) with some other units. Besides fighters units, ballons and artillery, the PVO of Moscow has 5 experimental radar station RUS-1 and RUS-2, alongside acustical localization devices. During the first days of July, some German reconaissance planes flew over Moscow, forthemost without being intercepted, despite their altitude and speed were not high enough to make them difficult to reach. Besides, there are some losses for friendly fire, when fighter pilots shot down some Soviet aircrafts. At the very beginning of the war, both the fighter pilots, the AA gunners and the coordination system performed unsatisfactorily.

The MiG-3 was produced in wide quantity during the summer and fall 1941, so it was widely diffused, particularly between the PVO units defending Moscow. This is a photo of captain A.A.Lilipin, of 41 IAP, that shot down a German reconaissance plane at an altitude of 8000 m on 27 July 1941. The aircraft is an early MiG-3 with a green and black scheme with unusually soft demarcation lines. At the top of the tail there is a sign 5 (perhaps referred to 5 air victories); on the bottom, number 0 designates a commander aircraft.

This photo shows a taxiing example, probably on the Moscow front. Note the field modified undercarriage doors. This phenomenon of much dust is common in northern Russia, just where many MiGs were located. In the fall, just after the rain stops (maybe October-November), the dried mud turns to big dust storms. This continues for a couple of weeks until the cold and snow arrives.
from OKB MiG

Here is another image of the same aircraft, with its pilot and some officers. It is recognizable because of the modified doors.
From D.Hazanov: Unknown battles on the Moscow skies vol.1

This photo represents a MiG camouflaged with small trees while being refuelled by a tank truck, probably of the 402 IAP on the Moscow front. The MiG is a later type with inlet pipe for inert gas over its left exhaust rack; late type MiG-3s appear on July or August 1941; they are easily distinguishable for different cowling of exhaust stacks, long gun barrel fairings, different engine cowling panelling. They usually feature slats too, and other less evident changes. This aircraft was probably painted with low contrast green/dark green camo, and its undercarriage doors appear striped green or black. The propeller blades appear green camouflaged too.

Northern front

This example was piloted by Lt. N.M.Estyen and made a forced landing after being hit by AA fire near Utti air base in southern Finland on July 12, 1941. The unit was a detached fighter squadron (OIAE) of the Baltic fleet. Many remains are still in the Vesivehmaa museum in Finland. The photo was colorized by the author.

The Lieutnant Pavel Tarasov of 12 IAP shows the damage sustained by his MiG during combat with a German Me-109. This photo is believed to have been made on the first days of July 1941. On July 5, 1941 Tarasov shot down two Me-109s, plus a third one in a taran attack (intentional collision), bailing out from his Yak-1despite injuries on both hands and on a leg. Pavel Tarasov claimed a total of 25 aerial victories in 235 sorties, before being killed in a flight accident on July 29, 1944. It's not clear if the strange blotches are due to a field camouflage or shadows of a camouflaged net. The aircraft should be an early MiG-3 with radio, black and green camouflage and an unrecognizable white number (20 or 30?); note the unusually small star.
from Black Cross- Red Star vol.1

Lt. D.S. Titarenko, of 19 IAP of Leningrad Air Defense, shot down a Ju-88 on July 6, 1941. It was the first German aircraft shot down over Leningrad, the crew was captured. Titarenko is reporting a victory to Brigade Commissar F.F. Verov in front of his MiG-3. The plane is an early MiG-3; its nose and wingroot seem painted black, with partially white spinner.

from Batailles Aeriennes

These images represent an example of 7 IAP, Leningrad front, summer 1941. It was piloted by Capt. Sergey. N. Polyakov, a veteran of the Spanish Civil War and of the Winter War.
from Red Stars vol.1

Southwest front

Pilot K.M.Marchev was congratulated for an air victory, on the southwest front, during August 1941. Note that his late type MiG-3 has a non-standard mottling on his nose and propeller.

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MiG-3s during fall 1941

Last modified on August 16, 2005 file name:fall.html

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During the summer and fall 1941, Zavod 1 was producing MiG-3s at a rate of about 500 for month; the aircraft was widely diffused in VVS units. The production was reduced after October 1941, due to the moving of the factory from Vnukovo, near Moscow, to Kuybyshev, in the Urals, to save it from air raids and from a possible occupation by advancing German troops.

This late type MiG-3 was found by advancing German troops. On the back side of the photo there is written "Shot downed "Rata" on the way to -Karatscher- 7.10.41". For German soldiers, all single fighters were "Rata", all SBs were "Martin Bombers". The plane looks to have had an hard landing. On the tail, we see traces of a star and of a dark number 9, possibly deleted with a lighter shade of paint.

from Barbarossa victims

from Migi Stalina

This plane, captured by the Germans, features the "za rodinu" ("for homeland") inscription on its side. The photos were taken in different times, probably during fall 1941. Although its tail wheel doors are still of the early style and the lack of its engine cowling, some details of the engine cowling are typical of late type MiG-3s. Note the apparent deletion of the star on the tail with green paint.

Moscow front

from Aviacija n.3

These aircrafts are flying over Moscow, probably during the fall of 1941. Note the underwing rockets, the fixed tail wheels and the opened canopies. The camo is green and black.

Pilots of unknown unit before night combat mission. Moscow front. At first, only few pilots of the Moscow PVO were trained for night operations. Sometimes pilots were unable to find the airbase in the darkness to land, and leaved the aircraft by parachute. .from D. Hazanov book "Unknown war in the Moscow's sky 1941-42" vol.1

photo from Alex Ruchkovski via Ilya Grinberg, colorized by Massimo Tessitori

This excellent unpublished photo shows many Soviet pilots and ground crew with different styles of uniforms, some of archaic army type. The aircraft is a late production MiG-3 with pipe for inhert gas near the exhaust stack, with radio mast, with slats and underwing gun pods. Note the unusual painted propeller blades and the compressed air bottle on the ground. The aircraft and the pilots are of 180 IAP (later made a Guard regiment as 30 GIAP), 6 IAK PVO, on the Borki airfield near Moscow.. In August 1941 the 180IAP faced combat in Rzhev region. On October 13th, 1941 the regiment was located in the airfield Yorshi, north to Rzhev. After this airfield was sieged by Germans the regiment moved into Taldom, near Tver. They landed at Borki airfield on 17th of October 1941.

As a date for the photo, one could hypothize late October or November 1941 because of traces of snow in combination with some archaic elements (uniform and gun pods) and the apparent absence of mud.

Above: An aircraft with the slogan "Smert nemetskim okkupantam!" (death to the German occupants!). The aircraft has a thin outline around the stars. The front part of the spinner appears slightly lighter; it could be white or red.
from Red Stars

Left: Here is another shot of the same aircraft. On the background is visible another aircraft, probably yellow or azure 1. Note the partially white spinner.

from "Unknown battles on the Moscow skies" of Hazanov

Northern Front

Here is a MiG-3 of the 7 IAP, Leningrad front, in October 1941. The stars look white, but this could depend on the type of film used; it can be seen on many photos of that period.
from Red Stars

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MiG-3s during winter 1941/42

Last modified on August 16, 2005 file name: winter.html

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This example was of Lieutnant I.F.Golubin of 16 IAP, Moscow area, winter 1941/42. Golubin was awarded Hero of the Soviet Union on March 4, 1942. He scored 12 victories before being killed in action in October 1943. The aircraft is an early type MiG-3, but with slats.

From Red Stars, old edition

Another shot of an all-white aircraft during the winter of 1941/42. Note the opacity of the rear glass due to condensation or ice. Photos of early type MiG-3s during the winter 1941/42 are relatively rare, the later version was by far more common on this period.

Another example during the winter. It is without the sliding canopy, and bears a small red star on the spinner. The unit and place are unknown. The photo has been colourized by the author.

Three photos showing a line of MiG-3s on the Vnukovo airport, near Moscow. Photos were taken on March 7 1942 when the 120 IAP of the Moscow Air Defence (PVO) was made a Guards Regiment as 12 Gv.IAP as a reward for its merits.
from OKB MiG

The line shows both white-painted and camouflaged aircraft, all armed with rocket launchers. These photos are a good source of beautiful profiles.
from Red Stars (old edition)

from "Unknown battles on the Moscow skies" of Hazanov

This image shows aircrafts of 12 Gv.IAP ready to fly; red 39 is recognizable here again. On these days, the maintenance services of 120 IAP were able to rearrange many flyable MiG-3s from damaged examples.

from "Unknown battles on the Moscow skies" of Hazanov

Here is an example with a roughly brushed white winter layer on the Moscow front, winter 1941/42.

from "Unknown battles on the Moscow skies" of Hazanov

This photo shows a partially dismounted aircraft. The visibility of the internal structures is noteworthy. The aircraft shows some rough repainting.
from Batailles Aeriennes

A pilot has just landed after having suffered combat damage.

The damage is examined by ground crew while the plane is refuelled. Note the strange lightness of the red star.

The damage seen from below. It looks due to an explosive round fired from above.

An interesting plane with a partial white finish on the temperate camo. Note underwing rockets. The sliding hood frame looks cutten in its corner.

A detail of a MiG-3, possibly the same of the image above. Note the cutten corner of the sliding hood; perhaps this make opening easier in some way, or provided more ventilation. Note the dark finish of many internal details.

This interesting image show "white 40" with its pilot and ground crew. A cover (white on one side, dark on the other one) covers the nose and is being removed. The date, place, unit and pilot's name are still unknown, but they are by sure the same of the photos above.

Technicians working under the engine of a MiG-3, possibly on the oil pump.

Many planes of this unit were without any painted code. So far, planes with No.40 and 5 on the rudder have been identified in this unit. The base camouflage looks green and black for all the observed aircraft of this squadron. Some of them have overall black engine cowling.

This plane had underwing rockets. Note the strange painting of its engine cowling. All the observed aircraft were of late model, with radio devices and slats. It looks that at least one was armed with triple rocket rails.

This plane features a white blotch on its nose too.

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MiG-3s since the spring of 1942

Last modified on September 15, 2003 File name: spring42.html

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After the stopping of production in early 1942, the MiG-3 started to become rarer and rarer on operative units. On 1st May 1942 the VVS had 134 MiG-3s in its inventory, 75% of them combat able. During the spring and summer, the MiG-3 was replaced by Yak-1and LaGG-3 in most units; many of remaining MiG-3s were delivered to the 122 IAP commanded by Major G Bayandin. This unit continued to fly MiG-3s until the spring 1943, when they were completely outclassed by the FW-190A of Jagdgeschwader 51. During 1942 and 1943 the MiG-3 operated mainly in Air Defence Units, where they fought against high altitude German bombers and reconaissance plane up to an altitude of 11,000 m, but they were unsufficient against Ju-86 P and R, able of a ceiling of more than 12,000 m.

Southern front

This image represents a MiG-3 of 148 IAP during the battle for Kharkov in 1942; on the photo, Ivan I. Pavlov and parachute packer Yevgeniy Kazakov check the parachute of 148th IAP. pilot maj. Yakov Titayev before a sortie. The aircraft is only partially visible on this image, but it shows interesting characteristics; some camo bands were overposed to the white winter finish.

from Mir Aviacia 2/2002

During the battles of Kharkov, only 148th IAP of many regiments involved, was equipped with MiG-3s; this was due to the declining diffusion of this type due to the cease of production on early 1942. This image represents a MiG-3 of 148 IAP during the battle for Kharkov in 1942; on the photo, 1st. Sqn Commander Capt. M. Nekrasov. The aircraft is only partially visible on this image, but it shows an unhedited camouflage obtained with a thin green repainting on a white winter base; this is a quick adaptation to the spring landscape without snow.

from Mir Aviacia 2/2002

This image represents a MiG-3 of 148 IAP during the battle for Kharkov in 1942; on the photo, chief technician Lt. Bazdyrev checks the work plans of his crew of mechanics. The aircraft is only partially visible on this image, but it shows an unhedited camouflage, another quick adaptation of a winter painted aircraft to a spring landscape.

from Mir Aviacia 2/2002

This photo shows a green and black camouflaged aircraft belonging to 8 IAP VVS Chf, Black Sea 1942. Note the rare starter attachment on the spinner.
from OKB MiG

Moscow front
This interesting perspective shows the example n. 5015, flown by K.A. Kriukov of 12 GIAP, probably on Vnukovo airport near Moscow in Spring 1942. This example was produced on late 1941, armed by two machine guns UBS and two built-in batteries of ZROB-82 for the shooting rocket projectiles ROS 82. The aircraft looks painted with green/black camouflage with unusually sharp lines; probably it was repainted after the winter. On the image below, an interesting view of the same aircraft. A small red 49 seems visible on the stabilizer root.
Image from "Unknown battles on the skies of Moscow" of Hazanov

Thanks to C.F. Geust

On the right, we see another image of K.A.Kriukov and of the same aircraft. Below, an enlarged detail of the photo above.

Images from "Unknown battles on the skies of Moscow" of Hazanov

Northern front

A MiG-3 of 2 GSAP/VVS-SF at Vayenga airport in 1942. Only four MiGs survived at the beginning of 1942, and only one was lost during 1942, set on fire after landing because of combat damages. The remaining 3 MiGs were transferred to 255 IAP/VVS-SF where they remained in hardly serviceable conditions until mid 1943, when they were transferred ot the VVS-TOF, the Soviet Pacific Fleet, putting an end to MiG-3 service in VVS-SF. Particularly noticeable are the Lapps with their reindeer helping the VVS ground crew. Sleighs were used on the unsnowed ground too. The objects on the canisters look like bombs, probably for bombers SB that were in the 72 SAP; this SAP got Pe-2 as well since July 1942. The photo was colorized by the author.

Note the Spitfire-like camo scheme on the wings; this style seems to be rare on photos, forthemost the bands had a longitudinal shape.

This aircraft is from the 7 IAP near Leningrad in 1942. This aircraft was flown without the canopy, and has an unusual camouflage.
from Air International

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MiG-3s in 1943-45
Last modified on December 1, 2003 file name: 1943-45.html

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During 1942 and 1943 the MiG-3 operated mainly in Air Defence Units, where they fought against high altitude German bombers and reconaissance plane up to an altitude of 11,000 m, but they were unsufficient against Ju-86 P and R, able of a ceiling of more than 12,000 m. The MiG-3 was modular and easily maintainable; flyable aircrafts were obtained cannibalizing pieces from unserviceable aircrafts. A limited number of MiG-3s were used for secondary duties, forthemost in second-line units, till the end of the war.

From Red Stars n.3

According to Red Stars n.4, these photos were taken in mid-43 at the Bureau of New Technology of TsAGI. It is an early example with slats and rocket rails; it was probably repainted green with silver and red outlined stars and black blades.

from OKB MiG

A mixed line of MiG-3 and P-40 of the 7th IAP, Baltic Fleet, near Leningrad, early 1944.
(Note: according to Hazanov, they should be of 565th IAP, Northern front, 1943)

Note the wide white outlines on the stars, the fixed tail undercarriage and the white forward part of the spinner. The aircrafts are probably camouflaged.
Photos from Soviet Air Force Fighter Colours 1941-1945

These nicely painted aircrafts should be of 7th IAP of Black Sea Fleet during 1943.
According to Hazanov, they should be of 34th IAP, on the Northern front.

From Mikoyan's Piston.engined Fighters, of Gordon and Dexter

Some aircrafts of 7th IAP of Black Sea Fleet. These aircrafts feature an hybrid engine cowling, with late type panels and early type exhaust stacks , probably due to being repaired with pieces of different aircrafts.

From Mikoyan's Piston.engined Fighters, of Gordon and Dexter

This photo was shot in Spring 1945; the old MiG-3s were still used for training of ground crew. The man on the left is Ivan Ivanovich Zaicev (the owner of the picture) superior trainer Leytenant , 2 VVAShAM (Volskaya Voenaya Aviacionaya Shkola Aviamehanikov; Volsk Military Aviation School of aviamechanics). The aircraft is a late example with slats, radio and starter tooth; it was probably repainted with AMT green and light blue; the undercarriages look dark painted too. Note the stars with large white outlines. No any numbers is visible.

copyright: (c) Zaicev I.I. archive

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Photo Gallery of Pilots and Ground Crew

last modified on June 17, 2005 file name:personnel.html

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This photo is of the most famous MiG-3 pilot, Alexander Ivanovich Pokryshkin . Senior Lieutnant Pokryshkin flew with 55 IAP on the Southern front, and loved MiG-3s very much. He obtained his first 12 air victories while piloting this type of aircraft. He arrived at the end of the war with the rank of Colonel and was awarded three times as Hero of the Soviet Union, having credited with 59 air victories, being the second Soviet top ace after Khozedub that had 62 victories. After the war, he remained in VVS and became Air Marshal.
from Black Cross-Red star vol.1

The other pilot appearing in this photo near Sorokin is Dmitriy Sokolov. These pictures represent the ace (Hero of SU) Zakhar Sorokin in front of his Mig Them both were of the same regiment. of 72 SAP VVS-SF (Northern Fleet, later 2 GIAP VVS-SF) in Vayenga The MiG is a late type, with unusual black propeller blades and silver airdrome, in late 1941. spinner; its nose looks to have a field camouflage made with thin black

stripes.

left: Here is K.A. Kriukov of 12 GIAP, 6 IAK, Moscow PVO, probably during the spring of 1942. Note the non-standard sharp black camouflage lines of this late production MiG, probably repainted over a winter scheme.
from Soviet Combat Aircrafts vol.1

right: this pilot is using a book as a table to write something. Note the frames, internal to the windshield.

Two (supposed) images of Leytenant Sergey Rubtzov, of 120 IAP/ 12 GIAP, 6 IAK PVO, Moscow front, early 1942. He was an ace, having shot down about 15 enemy aircrafts before his death in 1942. Some sources report that he flew the MiG-3 black 12, but this is not proven. During a simulated air combat at low altitude, Rubtzov managed to outmanouvre a Yak-1 with his MiG-3, but after this his aircraft had to be written off because its structure was outstressed beyond repair.

from D. Hazanov book "Unknown war in the Moscow's sky 1941-42" vol.1

from Fedorov A.G. "Aviation in the combat for Moscow"

This photo was probably shot in winter 1941/42, and shows an early type MiG3 armed with the 3ROB-82 triple rocket launchers. Note the white paint brushed on the upper surfaces and even on the propeller blades; the colors of the summer camo are recognizable in some points.
from Aviacija n.3

Below: this pilot was sometimes identified as S. Rubtzov of 120 IAP, but the identification is uncertain. His late type MiG is armed with rockets; it is overall painted with worn white, while its spinner is partially painted clean white. It looks without radio mast and sliding part of canopy. Note the starter tooth on the spinner.

The photo shows Starshiy Leytenant Arkadiy Kovachevich and another pilot of 27 IAP, on Moscow front in January 1942. They are sitting on a pressurised air tank, mounted on a small sleigh, which is connected to the aircraft by a supply line; this means that this picture is done just before a combat mission. That is unusual for pilots of that time, because they thought to have not luck in combat if they were photographed before taking off. Note the snow and the exhaust traces on the fuselage.

On the left: captain F.S. Chuikin from 27 IAP. The Mig-3 on the background has non-white outer wing panel, probably due to the replacement of the part.

On the right: leytenant A.N. Katrich of 27 IAP.

Pilots from the 180 IAP. (l to r): Dolgushin, Makarov, Besov

Other pilots of 180 IAP, Moscow front, winter 1941/42.

from D. Hazanov book "Unknown war in the Moscow's sky 1941-42" vol.1

Mig-3 of T.G. Belousov of 34 IAP after a snowstorm.

from D. Hazanov book "Unknown war in the Moscow's sky 1941-42" vol.1

Pilots I.F.Golubin and N.I Vasilevskyi of 16 IAP.

from D. Hazanov book "Unknown war in the Moscow's sky 1941-42" vol.1

This photo represents the MiG-3 of leytenant S.D. Baikov of 34 IAP of 6 IAK PVO of Moscow, probably in summer 1941. On the photo, the pilot shows a Red Banner Order on his chest. Although the aircraft is only partially visible, its camouflage appears to be very interesting.
(Istrebitel MiG-3, of Medvedev, Hazanov, Maslov),

A photo of first lieutnant A.Y.Fedorov, 28 IAP, taken in winter 1941/42 near Moscow. The aircraft is painted white and light blue, with summer camouflage visible on the tail surfaces and on some other points. Note the code black 2 and the cleaned off number 2 on the rudder.

A MiG-3 on maintenance, probably during winter 1941/42. Note the slat in rarely seen extended position.
from D. Hazanov book "Unknown war in the Moscow's sky 1941-42" vol.1

Unknown pilot during the winter 1941/42, probably on Moscow front. Note the pipe for compressed air refuelling, and the rarely seen armoured glass inside the windshield.
from D. Hazanov book "Unknown war in the Moscow's sky 1941-42" vol.1

The future HSU Konstantin Dmitrievich Denisov of 7 IAP CHF, Black Sea Fleet.

This pilot was identified either as Barkovskyi from 487 IAP, (Istrebitel MiG-3, of Medvedev, Hazanov, Maslov), or as P.P. Vorobiov of the unit of the ace Captain A.F. Semyonov (?), August 1941,
(Operacija Barbarossa, Kulikov and Mosanskij)

Pilot Marchev being congratulated for an air victory. Again, we see some interesting black repaintings over the aircraft's nose and propeller.
(Operacija Barbarossa, Kulikov and Mosanskij)

Note the black stripes over a green/dark green base camouflage, and the camouflaged propeller blades.

This image shows squadron leader G.M.Matveev with his pilots, on the Western Front during August 1941. The pilot on the right seems I.P.Pavlov.

Here is is A.K. Niekliudov , that served within 6th IAK (Avia Corps) PVO of 1 VIA PVO (Vozdushnaya Istrebitelnaya Armiya: Air Fighter Army) The veteran has taken action in Halkhin Gol, Winter war and GPW, scoring 7 victories. The picture with Mig-3 is dated of Spring 1943. Note the green overall livery and the white identification bands on wings.

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