Designed as a bomber interceptor, the Mig-3 was a plane built for a threat that never materialized. Sort of like the Mig-25 Foxbat.  This is because the Germans didn't do strategic bombing, using their bombers mostly for tactical purpose. As a result, the Mig-3 was not the success as was hoped. The plane was relatively fast, but not a good dogfighter, so usually lost out in aerial combat. However, as always, a skilled pilot was able to get good performance out of the aircraft by using its strengths against the enemy.

This sheet has four aircraft in a variety of camo schemes. Nearly half the sheet is given to 'bonus' material of extra red stars. That portion has been cropped from the image below.

First is a winter painted plane from the 12th Guards unit. It is white over natural metal with a red spinner. The number on the tail is given in black and red.

Next is a green over light blue aircraft from the Baltic Fleet. This plane was shot down by the Finns. It has upper wing stars, a practice not common with WWII Russian aircraft (see image below). This is also an early Mig-3, not the later one shown in the profile.

White 04 is from the 7th IAP in earth brown and green over sky blue. This aircraft did have upper wing stars.

Also from the 7th IAP is white 27. It is camouflaged like White 04 above and includes streaks of black. This plane was flown without the canopy, a not unusual occurrence with the Mig.

Now for kits: you have two to choose from in 1/48. One is by Classic Airframes and is considered to be quite good. The other is from ICM, which may be easier to find, and has a complete engine.

For more info on the Mig-3 I can highly recommend visiting Massimo Tessitori's Mig-3 Page.

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