Hi Wurger,
No, I have not seen the original Black White photo of the white 78. After I read through the text last night on Ilya's construction article, he mentioned the original photo of the white 78 shows it with the standard full length elliptical wings (not the clipped wings). I really would like to see the photo he was talking about for myself. I just purchased the 1/48 scale Baltic Fleet Aviation kit. The kit has a white 78 Spitfire Mk. LF IXE with clipped wings in the kit, so if anybody has access to the original Black White photos of the white 78, please post them.
In one of the articles I read on the VVS Spitfires, it stated many of the aircraft delivered were comprised of salvaged parts so they could fill the order quickly. So, it is possible the original white 78 had the full length wings, Sure would like to see that photo.
I checked the color profiles and the decals that were included in my kit and all of the Guard Emblems look like the one you posted earlier, only the color profile of the white 78 shows the emblem oval with the flag shifted to the left? I am also starting to think that there my be something a little questionable about of the emblem shown on the white 78 color profile.
Thanks again, Bob C