JR
With regards your links to Yak-18T photos, the first link looks to be an Aussie registered aircraft....that explains that, the AI is confused when it went down to the southern hemisphere and hence upside down
............. that is very weird with the blue representing the ground.
The second photo link is showing a very old grey-sky/black for ground, which is not so confusing as the first AI.
I can't tell if they are O-I or I-O with the attitudes shown. Maybe someone with better eyesight can clarify.
RL - I don't know if any accidents have been directly attributed to confusion caused by the type of AI installed in the aircraft. I would imagine the greatest problem with determining that is asking the best person afterwards. I do know that significant sim type testing using instantly displayed UA's and then measuring response time to correct, degree of control movement and also correct control movement to recover the aircraft, came down quite heavily in favour of the Russioan O-I ADI. The O-I gave a faster response for recovery and also fewer erroneous corrections.