A viation H istory

Description of the history project

These pages contain experiences and tales from Finnish World War II aviation veterans. The stories and historical data are collected and written by the VLeLv Icebreakers squadron and Finnish Virtual Pilots Association unless mentioned otherwise. We also welcome articles and stories written by others.

All rights are reserved.

The Association is member of The Society for Military History in Finland.



Captain H. Wind's lectures on Fighter Tactics

Captain H. Wind's Lectures on Fighter Tactics were written in 1943 to be used in training of new pilots. The author, Hans Wind, was the second highest scoring Finnish pilot of World War II and our highest scoring Brewster ace.

"...These lectures are meant to teach student pilots those things that they absolutely must adhere to when they arrive to a front line squadron, and what they must know when flying their first missions over the front and face enemy fighters for the first time. These lectures will especially attempt to teach "tricks" that a fighter pilot can use to control combat situations even if the opponent has a faster and better plane." ...read the whole story

Russian aircraft in spring 1942

See the authentical identification manual for Russian aircraft. The manual published for the use of the Finnish Air Force and other personnel in spring 1942...read the whole story





Latest article

Luftwaffe Skizzenbuch

Hans Liska was one of the most famous illustrators in the service of the German Armed Forces in World War II. This is an album published in 1942 with his illustrations. ...read the whole story.

Me And The Gustav - Memories and impressions of an Italian Pilot

Oddone Colonna, Italian fighter pilot of 150° Gruppo CT and 1°Gruppo Caccia, converted to fly the German Messerschmitt 109 fighter from Macchis. He wrote down his memories of the first flight and overall feeling of the plane.

"In the summer of 1943 at Vicenza airport I made my first acquaintance with the "Gustavo", a Messerschmitt fighter of the G-6 version. I was among pilots from 23° and 150° Gruppo Caccia to get first flights in the German plane that had been entering service at the Regia Aeronautica for few months. We had as instructor Ten. Fausto Filippi who had extensive experience, including combat for having flown the Gustav in combat over Sicily during the spring-summer of the same year in the ranks of 150° gruppo "Gigi 3 Osei"." ...read the whole story.

Aarne Vuopohja - Pe-2 Mechanic

During the World War II mr. Aarne Vuopohja served in the Finnish Air Force as assistant mechanic, at LentoRykmentti 4 (Flight Regiment 4), which was the bomber arm of the FiAF. Vuopohja worked for example with the Pe-2 planes. He was interviewed in the Virtual Pilots' summer camp Mosquito Meeting 2004, at Oulu.

"Let's say that I was frighten to see the first time the aeroplane goes to an engine change and none than the chief mechanic knows what to do. Three of us were just came from the mechanic training and haven't seen much aeroplanes before." ...read the whole story.

The Honourable Finnish Swastika

In Finland the Swastika was first used by the government in 1918, in the Cross of Liberty decoration designed by Gallen-Kallela, and as the national insignia of the Finnish Air Force. Swedish Count Eric von Rosen had donated the first FiAF aircraft, decorated by swastikas painted on the wings. Thus the Swastika was introduced by two sources by two men in two different manifestations. The other national symbols of the young Finnish state included the national coat of arms from the 1500's, the national anthem and the blue cross flag from the year 1918. Only later, The Nazi Swastika also tainted the Finnish Swastika, a honorable symbol still used as a symbol in the Finnish Armed Forces. ...read the whole story.

Finnish Wartime Airfields project

This is a project make a reference of Finnish airfields used by Finnish Air Force during the wars between 1939-1945, namely the Winter War, Continuation War and Lappland War. The Wartime Airfields project also includes airfield data about ice fields, airfields used during the temporary peace 1940-1941, airfields used by Swedish volunteer unit F.19 during Winter War, airfields used by Germans and Russian airfields. ...read the whole story.

Messerschmitt was a warplane made for serial production

The light fighter Messerschmitt Bf109 was the most important aeroplane of Adolf Hitler. It has been produced more than any other fighter. Hannu Valtonen made his PhD of the two planes displayed in Central Finland Aviation Museum. Earlier Valtonen has written a book about the planetype, and he was the director of the Central Finland Aviation Museum from 1980 to 2003. ...read the whole story.

The story of a Brewster

In summer 1998 a WW2 era Finnish Brewster B-239 fighter was found in a lake in Russian Karelia. The B-239 fighter flown by Lauri Pekuri was shot down in a aerial combat 25.6.1942. The aircraft that was found is the only one existing in the world. The restoration project got into problems as the potential value of the plane was understood by other parties. Even Russian OMON special forces were sent after the search party. The ownership relations of the aircraft were mixed and in the end the aircraft ended up in an Irish warehouse as merchandise for several years. From Ireland the aircraft's journey continued to a warehouse in Mobile, Alabama. After two years the aircraft was transferred to the United States Naval Museum at Pensacola, Florida. ...read the whole story.

Erkki Palosuo, a military pilot, recalls memories from the Winter War time in Vuosaari

What was life like at the Vuosaari air base, what were the men like during the Winter War? The article features a short interview of Erkki Palosuo, who was a Ripon pilot in the Winter War.

"The Ripons were old, slow and clumsy to fly, a little like sitting in a bathtub" ...read the whole story.

Wing Commander Bob Foster in Finland, June 2004

Aviation Museum Society, Finland invited the British RAF warpilot Wing Commander Robert W. Foster, DFC, AE, to Finland in June 2004. Mr. Foster, a true British gentleman, blessed us with two most interesting lectures, the first one at Finnish Air Force Museum at Tikkakoski, the second at Finnish Aviation Museum at Vantaa. Foster's combat career spans through the Battle of Britain to fighting at Pacific against the Japanese.

"I was the last one back. So I got in, it was really not very nice getting in, in a Hurricane at night with glim lamps on the airfield, you know, no big lighting or anything like that. And I got in and I thought "well, that's right, the chaps will be here and we can have our beer now", and blow me, what they'd done is they'd drunk all the beer and gone to bed! My friends and colleagues the idle bums, rotten lot!" ...read the whole story.

Continuation war aviation in review, what has been written and what left out

The achievements of our Air Force during the Continuation War has been reviewed in press, memoirs, history books and other media. A lot of it is good, however I have spotted some considerable omissions and outright errors.

"The Air Force and aerial photography had decisive effect in the Ihantala battles and the resolution of the war. In retrospect, if the photography had been unsuccessful or the communication had been as bad as at Valkeasaari, the enemy would have had a chance for breakthrough towards Lappeenranta and our defensive fight would have been fatally troubled. " ...read the whole story.

Galena Pavlovna Brok-Bel'tsova, Ekaterina Polunina And Anna Kiralina - Russian Women War-pilots

22 June 2005, three former members of the Soviet Air Force came to the weekly meeting of the "Old Bold Pilots Association", held in Oceanside. Alongside P-51 pilot and aviator Ray Toliver, fifty other airmen and their wives, these three veterans spoke to a pin-drop quiet audience about their wartime careers with the Red Air Force. What makes these vets different is that they are all women.

"Life in front line aviation units was grim. Many times, the planes were shot down right in front of us, burning fiercely. There was nothing that could be done for them. They were not even recognizable. Pilots were ordered to wear their medals to make it easier to identify their remains." ...read the whole story.

Messerschmitt 109 - myths and facts

This article and its sub sections are put together to dispell some of the persistent myths about the Messerschmitt 109 fighter. As the most ever built fighter which was the mainstay of German Luftwaffe and various other air forces, the plane is also victim of intentional disinformation, many most persistent urban myths and just ignorance. The attempt here is to look at the subject, Messerschmitt 109, through the eyes of the 109 pilots.

"I got about 150 hours and over 30 aerial combats on the Messerschmitt 109. It was a fine "pilot's airplane" and there was no big complaints about the technical side, as long as you operated it within envelope, inside the performance parameters. It is hard to find any negative things about the plane from pilot's perspective when taking the development of technology into account." ...read the whole story.

Martti Lehtovaara

Martti Lehtovaara was interested on aviation already at a young age. He was trained as pilot in the military pilot course #2. During the Continuation War first at Reserve Squadron 35, then as fighter pilot in Squadrons 32, 24 and 26.

"A couple of Russians spotted him and came after. Bruun called to mechanics in the tent to come and see how Cassu gets shot down. Everyone thought that's what would happen. " ...read the whole story.

Chief Warrant Officer Mauno Fräntilä

Chief Warrant Officer Mauno Fräntilä "began the flight business in 1936". He was one of the few who piloted the Fokker D.XXI fighter in the Winter War sorties. Subsequently Fräntilä served in Squadron 32 and was one of those who were assigned to the new Squadron 34 that was equipped with the new Me-109 fighters. After the war Fräntilä continued as an Air Force pilot, working as a flight teacher.

"Speed was essential and should never be lost in combat. Never become a cross in the sky. The Messerschmitt was exellent. You got always away when you pushed your nose down, and it then rose like an elevator. You soon had upper hand again. ...read the whole story.

Night of the bombers

The most daring mission of Finnish bombers in WW2 - in the early months of 1944 the bombers of Finnish Air Force flew their most daring and unique missions during the course of World War II. The tactical attacks on Soviet bomber airfields served a strategic purpose and succeeded beyond all expectations. Infiltrating enemy bomber formations and attacking their airfields while the Soviet planes were landing achieved complete surprise, and helped to lessen the threat of enemy bombers to the Finnish cities - as well as assisting in defence of Estonia. ...read the whole story.

In memorian: Mátyás 'Matyi' Pirity

Mátyás Pirity, a great friend of Finland and Finns, received his transfer to the shadow squadron on May 17th, 2003. The Hungarian military pilot was one of many foreign volunteers fighting in the Winter War, and one of the few who were true to their word and served in the front. ...read the whole story.

Fiat G.50 Basic Training Program

FA Basic Training Program notes is the summary of the new pilot's training program used by HLeLv 26 (Fighter Squadron 26) at the Finnish Air Force, dated 12.10.40. ...read the whole story.

Flight Captain - Chief Warrant Officer Lasse Erik Aaltonen

Lasse Aaltonen was ordered to Fighter Squadron 26 at 28.2.1939. He served in the squadron flying for example Fokker D.XXI and Fiat G.50 fighters until 1943, when he was transferred to the Messerschmitt squadron, 34.

"The mail men were busy. The pilots and their mechanics got quite skilled at mail sack dropping. After the work flight, they'd secretly fly women. More fuel was spent, but they weren't caught." ...read the whole story.

Air Warfare School Guild Anniversary 2003 - Pentti Aro and Aarno Siro

The Air Warfare School Guild's annual meeting and celebration was arranged at the Air Force Air Warfare School at Kauhava in May 24th-25th, 2003. During the occasion, we interviewed veterans and actively discussed with Aarno Siro, who flew Fiat G.50, Hurricane and Brewster in Fighter Squadron 26 (HLeLv 26) and Pentti Aro, Blenheim pilot in the Bomber Squadron 42 (PLeLv 42).

"The Blenheim is damn easy to fly low, the glass nose helped. You could go literally in treetops. " ...read the whole story..

Curtiss And Other Nice Planes

Jarl "Kille" Arnkil joined Finnish Air Force in 1939. After the war Kille transferred to Aero, later Finnair in 1948 and continued there until his retirement in 1972. After that he worked as a senior inspector of flight operations in National Board of Aviation 1973-1979. In this lecture "Kille" tells about flying both in times of war and peace.

"The German factory pilots told us they would fly some training flights with us. We tried to explain that we wouldn't need any training, that we could fly and wanted to take off already. We put together a downright air show above the airfield, did some air combat maneuvers against each other etc. When we landed they agreed that we wouldn't have to be taught to fly, that we could do it already." ...read the whole story..

Arvo Johannes "Jussi" Neva - Service in HLeLv 26



Neva was accepted in the Air Force on War Pilot Course #3, which began at Kauhava in April 1940. Neva was ordered to LeLv 26 in March 1943, where he flew until the end of the war flying Fiat, Hurricane and Brewster fighters. This article, written by Carl-Erik Bruun, depicts shortly his military aviator's career.

"May 2, 1943. First air combat above the Saunasaari-Miikkulainen area. Neva was flying the FA-19 in a group of four, sent to assist a Fiat patrol. The enemy had four I-15's and two I-153's." ...read the whole story.

Lauri Äijö ja Onni Rautava - the Blenheim and Junkers 88 pilots

The war pilots Onni Rautavaa and Lauri Äijöä were interviewed at Rovaniemi at the annual celebration of the Lapland Air Command. Both gentlemen served as wartime pilots, first on the Blenheim and then on the Junkers 88. Mr Äijö was awarded the Mannerheim Cross of his achievements.

"I never heard the engine noise, even if there where two big 2000 horsepower engines one meter away, the other a bit further. I didn't hear them until my ears opened a bit after leveling off." ...read the whole story.

The Crash of the JK-265 - Lapland Air Command Annual Memorial

Autumn 1944, Lapland War. A Bf 109 fighter of 9./JG 5, piloted by Rudolf Artner, shot the plane down. The Lapland Air Command anniversary memorial is held at the crash site. The occasion is unique in Finland, such an event is not arranged at any other memorial. The Lapland Air Command Guild takes part in the occasion.

"The walking staff the rescued Lieutenant had used in his wilderness journey was brought to see, the Guild had kept it in store. A silver plaque was stapled on it to explain its significance." ...read the whole story.

Abroad Receiving Aircraft During the Winter War

This article is written by Lieutenant Technician Väinö Mäntymaa, an aircraft inspector in the Finnish Air Force. Mr. Mäntymaa, at the time of writing this, is the oldest mechanic alive from the Finnish Air Force. His colourful career in the FiAF started already in the 1930s and in this article he goes back to the cold days of the Winter War.

"I was to give technical review to the French Morane-Saulnier M.S. 406 fighters that the Finnish Air Force was receiving, and also to familiarise myself with their structure and technics. It was a relief to know my job, even if it didn't prove easy." ...read the whole story.

Fetching the Hurricanes

In this unique document four Finnish Hurricane pilots ponder the backgrounds for Finland's Hurricane purchase and especially the mission to train 12 young pilots to Hurricanes - and ferry them to Finland in early 1940. The HC pilots think back their training, the people and the transfer flight to Finland.

"They took us by lorries straight to the air base commander. He was Air Commodore Rt.Hon.J.D.Boyle. He gave a magnificently beautiful speech to the "heroic Finns." Even Paavo "Jesus" Myllylä nudged my sleeve and said, "Isi, we're tough guys." ...read the whole story.

Pilot veterans visit their virtual counterparts in the Urban Blitz 2003

The Virtual Pilots Association arranged their annual meeting in Tampere on 30.1 - 2.02.2003. Members of the local war pilot association, the Pilven Veikot, were invited to enjoy the catering by the young generation and to see what simulated aviation is all about. The veterans also gave small speeches and lectures.

Torsten Sannamo, a Blenheim machine gunner / radio operator: "Five months later a man comes through the front lines. He calls out to the Finns on guard not to shoot, he's a Finnish pilot. He calls it three times, before he's taken into custody and interviewed." ...read the whole story.



Remembering Kullervo Lahtela

Kullervo Lahtela is one of the great but less known names of Finnish military aviation. Lahtela was a successful trainer and he prepared for war a number of young, enthusiastic, and above all highly qualified combat pilots, who performed with excellence in aerial battle. During the war years he served in LeLv 32, 34, HLeLv 30 and finally as the squadron commander of HLeLv 32.

Kullervo Lahtela is remembered in three interviews:

Kyösti Karhila, squadron mate in 32 and 34: ...read the whole story.

Jaakko Hillo, squadron mate in 32 and adjutant: ...read the whole story.

Jarl Arnkil, squadron mate in 32 and after the war: ...read the whole story.



Hemmo Leino - from wilderness squadron to Messerschmitts



Hemmo Leino, who flew in the Squadrons 30, 14 and 34, tells in this interview about his experiences flying for example the Fokker D.XXI, Morane-Saulnier 406 and Messerschmitt 109 fighters in combat.

"Two Yak-9s came toward me. They approached from the north and made me turn at them. They engaged me, being a little above. I was coming from south and my red light was on (indicating low fuel). As they slipped behind my back I had to start climbing." ...read the whole story.

Kyösti "Kössi" Karhila, Curtiss and Messerschmitt ace



Kyösti Karhila flew the Fokker D.XXI, Curtiss Hawk 75 and Messerschmitt 109 fighters in LeLv 32 and HLeLv 34, ending the war with 32 confirmed victories. Mr. Karhila was interviewed in the Finnish Aviation Museum, both systematically and in a more free environment. The professional pilot, who has flown 50 years of his life, had many things to say from various matters.

"The enemy used to send Pe-2 bombers to reconnoitre the Eastern coast of Lake Ladoga so that the Pe would fly to NW over the lake on the inbound leg. Our air surveillance could report only buzzing. The Pe-2 was such a fast plane that the CU could not catch it in level flight. Our tactic was to send a couple of CU's to a high altitude as buzzing was observed over the Ladoga, and the pilots waited for the recce Pe-2. With luck, a CU attacking from above could catch up with a Pe-2 thanks to diving speed and had a chance to shoot at him twice." ...read the whole story.



History of Hyvinkää Airfield



The construction of Hyvinkää Airfield began during the Temporary Peace. Hyvinkää had been bombed eighteen times during the Winter War, with 270 buildings suffering damage, ten of which had burned down. That wasn't the main reason for locating the airbase in Hyvinkää. Hyvinkää had one advantage: by placing the base there, the important railroad crossings at Hyvinkää and Riihimäki could be protected, while it could also be used in the defence of Helsinki. ...read the whole story.

Antti Tani and Jussi Huotari - two aces



We interviewed two veteran fighter pilots, Mr. Antti Tani and Mr. Jouko "Jussi" Huotari in Kouvola on the 10th July 2002. In this article the two veteran pilots speak about their planes, Morane Saulnier 406, Brewster B-239 and Messerschmitt 109, answer to questions and tell about their years in the air.

"Brewster, Curtiss Hawk 75, Fiat G.50 and Morane Saulnier 406 had a race. They took off at the same time from Joroinen and landed at Naarajärvi. The Brewster arrived first, then the Fiat, the Curtiss, the Morane. We were watching as they arrived with brief intervals. I was watching and thought, "must I fly such a bad plane?" ...read the whole story.



Three pilots in OverDose TV show



MoonTV's OverDose games show arranged session about flight simulators and online flying, where also three renonwned and highly respected pilots were invited. The gentlemen, Jarl Arnkil (Curtiss Hawk pilot), Kyösti Karhila (Curtiss Hawk and Messerchmitt 109 pilot) and Hemmo Leino (Fokker D.XXI, Morane Saulnier and Messerchmitt 109 pilot), talked in lenght about flying. Unfortunately the OverDose staff lost the source tapes for the full interview but we still have what was presented in the Finnish television.

"As soon as I pulled up, the flight control station at Haapasaari started shouting that 29 enemy fighters were approaching from the South in three waves. Thats where the skirmish started, the enemy formed what they call a Spanish circle, trying to protect each other. Nurminen's planes were a little higher, they started pecking at the enemy immediately. It took something like 20 minutes when we shot down 23 enemy planes." ...read the whole story.

Aerial Recon Behind Enemy Lines



The Air Force reconnaissance planes, including the plane flown by the one Armas Eskola featured in this article, crossed the eastern border even before the Winter War photographing the Soviet bases and Leningrad. During the War Aimo E. Juhola gained reputation as capable recon pilot, who photographed Leningrad as well as the Soviet spearheads in the summer battles of 1944. This article tells about two less known operations by the reconnaissance pilots.

"On the second day of the Winter War, December 1, 1939, the Commander-in-Chief of the Air Force, General J.F.Lundqvist, came to Luonetjärvi, Tikkakoski, and showed the staff HQ "a terribly big bunch of photographs we had taken", as Eskola put it. According to the General, the time of secrets was over." ...read the whole story.

Disowned By His Fatherland - Eino Luukkanen



The lonely grave of the Knight of the Mannerheim Cross awaits caretakers after the fatherland forgot its hero.

"Knight of the Mannerheim Cross, a fighter ace with 56 victories, Lieutenant Colonel Eino Luukkanen, died to heart attack at Jyväskylä, 1964 at 55 years of age. Now his gravestone in the Seppälä cemetary looks lonely and weathered, but he is not forgotten." ...read the whole story.

Pilvenveikot 25 years



Twelve war pilots signed in September 1976 the founding document of the association for the military pilots of the wars 1939-1944. The purpose of the Pilvenveikot association is to unite the war pilots and to cherish the heritage of a Finnish pilot. The association has fulfilled this task credibly already for 25 years.

The association of the war pilots turned 25 years old in autumm 2001. The German Pilvenveikot member Frans-Josef Schoppe noted: "It is a rather wonderful feeling and in the same time a great honour, as the former leader of the Kuhlmey's dive-bomber squadron which was in the decisive battles of the Carelian Isthmus in the year 1944, to stand here together with - one of the best - of my squadron fellows and see in front of me those brothers in arms to whom I have irrevocably attached since that summer. ...read the whole story.

Memoirs of a reserve military aviator during years 1934-1945



Joel Savonen joined the Finnish Air Force reserve officer training on 6.6.1934 and his aviation career continued until the end of the Second World War.

"While I was talking with the general I told him that I had been escorting planes carrying Adolf Hitler and field marshal Keitel on their way to congratulate marshal Mannerheim on his 75:th birthday with four American Brewster fighters and that I had received a German medal "Das Verdienstkreutz des Ordens vom Deutchen Adler Dritter Stufe mit Schwertern" for this in front of a Finnish guard company. " ...read the whole story.

Torsten Sannamo and the FuG-radios



The machine gunner / wireless operator Torsten Sannamo, who operated in Blenheim bombers in the ranks of Bomber Squadron 42, described his wireless / gunner course shortly to the Virtual Pilots - and his condidential special mission - training with the new German FuG-wireless systems.

"We stayed in the cloud and I told the pilot "you are pulling too much to the left, can't you hear from the sound, the homing sign is totally wrong compared to our heading?" Until he started turning, he didn't notice the gyrocompass had been broken after a hit from the burst, and it had got stuck to show north. ...read the whole story.

Messerchmitt training after the wars

Messerchmitt 109 pilot Torsti Tallgren described shortly the Me 109 pilot training program of Finnish Air Force after the World War II to Virtual Pilots Association.

"Tally on the target, quick assesment of own position,attempt to surprise, surprise being half victory, attack according to what is learned." ...read the whole story.

Viljo Lehtinen, the Blenheim gunner



During the war years Viljo Lehtinen served in the Bomber Squadron 42 as machine gunner / radio operator. Mr. Lehtinen goes back to the war years filled with bombing and reconnaissance flights in interview conducted at Lappland Air Command Guild's annual meeting.

"Always when the weather was favorable, we went to wherever the hot spots were. To Tali-Ihantala, as many flights as we could. At the Teikari battle, we bombed the gun emplacements at Uuras. Finally the pressure point moved to the Äyräpää-Vuosalmi front, and it became the main target. The entire regiment worked like one fist." ...read the whole story.

Bréguet 14 A2 In Finnish Service 1919 - 1927



Finland acquired thus twenty Breguet 14 A2 aircraft in 1919 and also over two hundred (221) used Fiat A-12bis engines from French surplus stock. More planes were bought during the next years. The plane formed the backbone of Finnish Aviation Forces for several years. This article depicts the story of the Breguets in the Finnish use.

"On 22 April 1922 Major A. Snellman with his mechanic Sergeant Major G. Lihr started the first flight to Petsamo. Total flight time for the route Utti-Jyväskylä-Oulu-Rovaniemi-Kyrö(Ivalo)-Petsamo was 8 hours. A flying altitude of 1200 m was used." ...read the whole story.

Hans Wind's Video Interview



Finnish fighter pilot Hans "Hasse" Erik Wind, double recipient of the Mannerheim Cross and ace of 75 victories, was interviewed in 1988 by colonel Jouko Liusvaara. This article features the published part of the interview translated into English.

"We did wonder very much why 30 Messerschmitt escort fighters were needed for such a single four-engined airplane to escort it." ...read the whole story.

Fighter ace Mauno Fräntilä was creating the Glory of the war pilots



Mauno Fräntilä, 85 years, has been in 40 air battles and 380 combat sorties.

During the war years he flew in the legendary Fighter Squadron 24. After the war Fräntilä was instructing the new generations in Kauhava to the skills of aerial combat until 1956. He managed to try also the Fouga and considered it to be easy to fly. ...read the whole story.

Finnish Military Aircraft Markings 1918-2000

Catalogue of Finnish military aircraft markings between 1918-2000. All plane types and the serial numbers assigned to each type. ...read the full article

Finnish Military Aircraft Marking Systems

Catalogue of Finnish military aircraft marking systems from 1918. In the early years several different military aircraft marking systems were used in Finland. The first aircraft of the Aviation Forces were given inventory numbers F.1 to F.40 (F = Flygmaskin), but these were never applied on aircraft. After F.5 only even numbers were used. The first official system was introduced on 20 June 1918 ...read the full article

Pentti Aro - The 17 Years Old Volunteer Of Winter War

Pentti Aro joined the Finnish Army as volunteer in 1939, 17 years old, when the Winter War started. He was first trained as aircraft mechanic, and transferred later to flight training finding finally himself from Bomber Squadron 42 as a Blenheim pilot.

"My last mission was to bomb Germans at Kilpisjärvi, and did they shoot. After dropping the load we passed over Swedish territory, and the Swedish AA fired at us. I guess others did the same, there is a story about the Swedes calling on radio, "You're over Swedish territory." "We know that," the boys answered, "but you shoot so wide to the left." "We know that," the Swedes replied." ...read the whole story

Lappi Air Command Guild's gathering at Rovaniemi, March 2001

Finnish Air Force's Lappi Air Command Guild had a large gathering at Rovaniemi Air Base during March 2001. It attracted large number of veterans and also two members of our hobbyist community had been invited. A silent photographic salute is available here.

Olli Sarantola: Fiats , Brewsters and night fighters

Olli Sarantola from Tampere joined the ranks of Fighter Squadron 26 in 1943 to fly Fiat G.50. In March 1944 the squadron was equipped with Brewsters and in summer 1944 Olli started the adventure of the lifetime: into night fighter training in Germany. We interviewed Olli 19.3.2001 about the trip to Germany and flying Fiats/Brewsters.

"And it happened to me, that just when I was attacking the Dornier, an alarm was made. It was an unforgettable feeling, think about 200 2-meter searchlights pointing straight up. You felt like a bumblebee weaving around the lights." ...read the whole story

Virtual pilots cater to Air Force veterans from Oulu

On Saturday, March 3rd, Air Force war veterans from Oulu were invited to enjoy the hospitality of the younger aviation enthusiasts. Five veterans arrived. This article includes stories and interviews from this and earlier meetings with the Oulu veterans.

"We were supposed to bombard tank columns on the road at 400 meters. According to recon, there was a 30 kilometers long column of tanks advancing. Every plane that could fly took up." * "During their stay in Hirvas, the Brewster men ate only moose, they never even visited the squadron kitchen." * "When four planes passed over the presbytery with full throttle, it was one helluva noise." * "I pulled the stick back and it made three loops before I was able to ease the stick again." ...read the whole story

Kauko Aho - the tale of a bomber pilot



This is second article about mr. Kauko Aho, a Finnish Air Force Blenheim pilot. This article was originally written by Ken Arnold, and it gives a larger scale picture about mr. Aho's youth, career and postwar life. ...read the whole story

Kauko Aho - Blenheim Pilot In The Continuation War



Kauko Aho flew Blenheim bomber in Flying Regiment 2 / Bomber Squadron 42 in the battles of 1944 and acted as Blenheim radio operator/gunner during Winter War 1939-40. This article is collection of stories told by mr. Aho in two meetings early 2001.

"Then I saw two round-nosed fighters coming from behind. They approached terribly fast. They came to our side and I saw the black crosses in the fuselage and swastika in the rudder. And then there were more, they were all around us." ...read the whole story

Estama brothers with the virtual pilots - recollections by Eino and Edvald Estama



Estama brothers from Oulu, Eino and Edvald "Valte" Estama, both flew in the Air Force during the war. Eino flew the Blenheim and Junkers 88-bombers, Valte flew the Morane Saulnier 406 ja Messerchmitt 109 fighters. The brothers visited virtual pilots in January 2001.

"We looked at them and they at us, then they did a barrel-roll around us and soared away. They didn't shoot, so we didn't bother to shoot either. They went away, and that was the only time I saw Mustangs flying during the war." ...read the whole story

Väinö Pokela - Brewster and Messerchmitt pilot in hostile skies



Väinö Pokela flew Brewster and Messerschmitt 109 fighter in Fighter Squadron 30 & 24 in the Continuation War. He acted also as a Messerchmitt trainer and trained remarkable number of the Air Force MT-pilots. In this article mr. Pokela tells for example about the last flight of Me 109 G-2 "MT-208", his war flights and about ferrying new Messerchmitts from war time Germany.

"There I was at right, and saw a Yak coming from left. I had no choice but fire across his nose so he sees he's being fired upon." ...read the whole story

Blitz '01 - Meeting with the veterans

During the online combat simulator fan convention Urban Blitz '01 the virtual pilots had a chance to meet with veterans. This article tells how the younger aviation enthusiasts met three veteran pilots, tells about their wartime memories and what the gentlemen thought about flight simulators on modern home computers. ...read the whole story

Technical articles

Messerchmitt 109 G-2/G-6 manuals

Here you will find both English and Finnish language versions of Messerchmitt 109 G-2 / G-6 fighter plane technical and pilot's manuals. ...read them here.

MT-208 - recovery and restoration of the Messerchmitt 109 G-2

This article tells about the recovery operation and restoration project of a rare WW2 fighter, Me 109 G-2 "MT-208". The airplane was lost in training accident 01.08.1946 and recovered 23.08.1999 by Finnish Aviation Museum and volunteers. ...read the whole story

Foreign pilots

Günther Rall - Luftwaffe Ace, NATO General

The 275 victory ace, Günther Rall, visited Finland in June 2003 and gave lectures about his career during the war and during the post war years in newly born Luftwaffe and NATO.

"It was very, very tough fighting. I have to say that when we started the war the Russians had obsolete types as fighter types. But the Russians learned. They came out after one year with the Yaks, the MiG, the LaGG - modern types and in masses." ...read the whole story.

Gems from a B-17 pilot

I had the pleasure of spending a few hours talking to Mr. Hardy White. He was a co-pilot in a B-17 named "FATSO". He flew out of "Kimbolton" in England, with the 379th BG(Heavy), from Nov.1943 to March-1944. In this article mr. Hardy tells a bit about his flying and allows the interested readers also to take a look at his mission diary.

"Flak light but accurate. Saw fighters & lots of them. Had fighter cover thank goodness. Saw four Forts crash & burned at field! One Fort blown up over target, rocket hit right wing." ...read the whole story.

Major Al Williams' test flight with Bf-109D

US Marine Corps Major Al Williams, Schneider Trophy competitor with his own Kirkham-Williams aircraft, Pulitzer winner from '23 and a head of the Gulf Oil Company's aviation department, had a chance to fly the latest aircraft in the German Luftwaffe's arsenal, Messerchmitt 109 D in summer 1938. Major Williams' view on the capability of the fighter gives an interesting view on the usual commentary about flying and the capabilities of the Bf 109 fighter. ...read the whole story.

Aerial Combat And Other Misadventures

This article is the memoirs of American World War II fighter pilot Robert Riddle. Robert "Bob" Riddle had many great adventures in the war time, flying his first solo flight 29.11.1941 and visited both the Pacific and European theatres, flying P-51 Mustang in bomber escort missions - even over Russia.

"One of the oddest claims was for a little Feisler Storch observation craft which put an amazing display getting away from several P-51's traveling about 250 MPH faster than the agile little ship. Finally the clever German put his little unarmed craft down in the corner of a field, jumped out and made it to cover in a stand of trees. "...read the whole story.

Erich Hartmann - the top ace of all time

Erich Hartmann is the most successful fighter pilot of all time. With 352 victories he is called The Blonde Knight Of Germany - or The Black Devil Of Ukraine. This article tells briefly his history and has a story how a P-51 pilot once met Hartmann over Romania. ...read the whole story

I met Franz Stigler

...Stigler had to bail from his aircraft 6 times. The last time while it was on fire in the cockpit after he was "gang banged" by 4 Spitfires ...read the whole story