Hello!
I compared the 152 IAP Curtiss construction numbers to those given in the Romamenko's article. They all seem to fall in the same P-40E range. Or Romanenko's numbers include also K and later subtypes.
Red star on white circle was ALSIB route marking, yes? Only 48 P-40 K arrived via that route according Romanenko.
7 VA concentrated four Il-2 regiments to Ilomantsi sector early August, 1944:
828 and 839 at Hirvas (
http://www.fallingrain.com/apts/41165.html )
17 GShAP and 214 ShAP at Sopokha (
http://www.fallingrain.com/world/RS/28/Sopokha.html ).
My first thought years ago was that the sighted planes were P-39 for which such markings were "normal". But there seemed to be no suitable unit in the range, then.
There was two Soviet Airacobra units which may come into question:
20 GIAP was based at "Sumeretsi" 14.7.-5.8. and then went to Gremjaha far away from Ilomantsi. Sumetetsi on the other hand is some 180 km from Vellivaara and less than 15 km from Ajta-Lamba 2 ,the 152 IAP base!
(see:
http://www.fallingrain.com/world/RS/28/Sumerechi.html )
What if 20 GIAP still was there in 9.8.?
773 IAP was at Vitele (Vidlitsa) - also some 180 km away.
So these two P-39 units were in the same range as 152 IAP with P-40. Despite what I thought before pinpointing the locations of their bases done now.
Mix up of types is a real possibility.
BTW I forgot to give the flight time for the Finnish Bf 109 quintet. It was 15.15-16.20 (16.15-17.20 Moscow time). This points also towards P-39 opponents.
On the other hand the quest for photo of 152 IAP P-40 from Summer 1944 still continues.
Cheers,
Kari