Burnt-Out Wreck of an Tupolev SB-2bis in Russia

Burnt-out wreck of an Tupolev SB-2bis in Russia. The SB-2bis differed from the preceding variant mainly in its more powerful M-103 engines, which each produced 130 h.p. more than the M-100 engines of the SB-2. The SB-2bis also had increased fuel tankage and consequently was the Soviet Air Force's standard medium bomber during the first half of the war against Germany. The aircraft seen in the photo was most probably shot down. The bent propeller blades suggest a forced landing with the engines running. Note the unusual curved demarcation line between the two camouflage colors on the rear fuselage.

Source :
Magazine "Luftwaffe im Focus Spezial" No.1 2003

A Wrecked I-153 in the Operation Barbarossa

By the time Germany invaded the Soviet Union, the Polikarpov I-153 Chaika (Russian Чайка, "Seagull") was no longer a serious opponent for German fighters, although it remained a significant aircraft based on numbers alone. On 22 September 1941 there were 1,549 I-153s stationed in the Western Military Districts. More than 50% of these were destroyed on the ground or rendered unusable in the first few days of the conflict! The photograph shows two "Chaikas" found by advancing German forces. The fabric-covered areas of the aircraft were painted silver, while the metal panels were pale gray. Note the early-war version of the Soviet star with a narrow black outline and black circle in the center of the star. The fuselage star has been removed by a souvenir hunter

Source :
Magazine "Luftwaffe im Focus Spezial" No.1 2003