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

[RolandF]

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

[Larry deZeng]

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.

[RolandF]

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 Originally a correct Soviet designation it seems to be outdated intelligence for the Luftwaffe im March'42.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

[kirche]

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

[Stig Jarlevik]

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

[MW Giles]

Without blank blocks

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

Martin

[TigerTimon]

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

[RolandF]

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

Regards
RolandF

[Stig Jarlevik]

Originally Posted by MW Giles

Without blank blocks

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

Martin

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

[kirche]

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