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You are absolutlely correct. The interstage on the LV was a lot of wide open spaces. The vents on the interstage are probably the last elements I would go after on the K-21 rendition. The arrangement of the vents is loosely interpreted; also these are tear drop shaped and best represented in the Ton Noteboom paper model - from which I derive the capsule wraps. Even those demonstrate that the original balsa capsule, and the accurate contemporary renditions of the model are a little small. The coning angle of the adapter is also off a little so there are a wealth of issues in the original kit. The K-21 instructions reference only single grouping of tunnels (LL on the original kit)

The current clones are a decent representation of the original model, not of the original launch vehicle. The K-21 instructions position the vents as the contemporary decals represent them. The more accurate rendition, attached, is where I would look for reference to the original LV. That or some of the Gassaway drawings. Strictly by the book, there are 17 teardrop shaped vents at the top of the first stage. The long tunnels align with the center of the interstage structures 180 degress apart. Starting from spacecraft port, they are arranged in a group of five, tunnel, two centered above the national marking, group of seven, tunnel, three singles, the first two of which mirror the opposties above the national marking.

*In thinking it through further you could consider that the vent patterns are the same through 180 degrees with the exception of the first group of seven having one removed (the second). The holes pretty much align the same way. Look at the Ton Noteboom hr update1*

Given that K-21 markings and roll patterns were painted on the model it really is a lot simpler to go with a decal which reflects the intent of the original kit designer when cloning than to become overly aggressive on the level of detail attached to a semi-scale model.