Aircraft type "J 61" - loss March 31st 1942
 

Luftdienstkommando 2/VI lists a 100% loss after hitting an obstacle at Dünnwald, some 10 km northeast from Cologne. The pilot Ofw Gustav Köll did not survive the crash.The a/c type is designated as "J 61". Was this a captured Soviet plane? Does anybody have better info? Thanks in advance!

Regards
RolandF

Re: Aircraft type "J 61" - loss March 31st 1942
 

If this is from a German document, then it is almost certainly:

J 61 = incorrect German designation for the MiG-1 and MiG-3 fighters up to about mid-1942.

I ran into the use of this designation often in the TsAMO 500 Akte 476 Flak documents and the Ob.d.L. Tages Lageberichten in both the TsAMO and NARA collections.

L.

Re: Aircraft type "J 61" - loss March 31st 1942
 

Istrebitel 61 makes sense. Originally a correct Soviet designation it seems to be outdated intelligence for the Luftwaffe im March'42. The respective WNr for this a/c was 2335. Do we know more about this captured plane? The same unit lost a UT-1 (Yakovlev?) in March 19th '42 at Köln-Ostheim a/f.

Regards
RolandF

Re: Aircraft type "J 61" - loss March 31st 1942
 

Hello,
The original Soviet designation was "I-200" (Istrebitel'-200), and from 09.12.1940 it was renamed "MiG-3" (2101 - ...) and "MiG-1" (6101-6103, 2001-2100). In parallel, and only at Plant NKAP №1 (Moscow), the entire production period used the product code "61" ("Type 61", "Izdeliye 61").
MiG-3 #2335 it's 85th aircraft of the 4th production series.
Perhaps this is one of those that were captured in Kaunas?
Best regards,
Kirill

Re: Aircraft type "J 61" - loss March 31st 1942
 

Kirill

My knowledge of the Soviet production number ranges are very limited.
May I ask how a c/n 2335 can be the 85th aircraft of the 4th production series?

Cheers
Stig

Re: Aircraft type "J 61" - loss March 31st 1942
 

Without blank blocks

The 4th series started at 2251 and so 2335 is the 85th in that series would be the logical answer

Martin

Re: Aircraft type "J 61" - loss March 31st 1942
 

Matti Salonen says I-16
http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/showthread.php?t=49102

Re: Aircraft type "J 61" - loss March 31st 1942
 

My info comes from Michael Balss' loss lists....not the only twisted numbers in those listings.

Regards
RolandF

Re: Aircraft type "J 61" - loss March 31st 1942
 

Thanks Martin
But why start a 4th batch at 2251?
I take it the MiG-3 simply continued where the MiG-1 ended, ie c/n 2101?
If so we have 150 aircraft split in three batches, thus 50 each, or....?

Cheers
Stig

Re: Aircraft type "J 61" - loss March 31st 1942
 

These are in-plant series and not the entire division of production by series is known:
...
4th 2251-2350
5th 2351-2450
6th 2451-2550
7th 2551-2650
8th 2651-2750
9th 2751-2850
10th 2851-2950
11th 2951-3050
12th 3051-3150
13th 3151-3250
14th 3251-3350
15th 3351-3450
16th 3451-3550
17th 3551-3650
18th 3651-3750
19th 3751-3850
20th 3851-3950
21st 3951-4050
22nd 4051-4150
23rd 4151-4250
24th 4251-4350
25th 4351-4550
26th 4551-4750
27th 4751-4950
...
For the plant, the Mig-1 and Mig-3 were the same model (type 61) and the series began with the release of the Mig-1. Therefore, 250 aircraft in three series.

...
the I-16 plane could not have the number 2335

Re: Aircraft type "J 61" - loss March 31st 1942
 

Wow Kirill

Thanks a lot!!

Cheers
Stig

Re: Aircraft type "J 61" - loss March 31st 1942
 

Hello Roland,


Apparently Balss was right on this one then haha! There may be some typos in Balss list, but that is not the real deal.
I think that when there are inaccuracies (which is seldom), it's because only one primary source was used or the primary source was incorrect.


KR, Timon