FINNISH AIR FORCE AIRCRAFT |
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Liaison Planes and Trainers |
FINNISH AIR FORCE AIRCRAFT |
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Liaison Planes and Trainers |
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. Sixteen Aero A-32GR (AEj-49...64) light reconnaissance planes by Aero Tovarna Letadel were bought from Czechoslovakia in 1929 to replace eight older Aero A-11 planes bought in 1927 which now on were intended for training. New planes which arrived in 1931 and 1932 had Gnome-Rhone Jupiter IV 9-cylinder radial engines (420 hp). Top speed was about 225 km/h. Planes were armed with 7.7 mm twin MG in rear. In 1939
there were 10 planes left, in June 1941 eight and at the
beginning of 1942 only three. The last remaining plane
was stored in 1943 until June 1944 when it too was
damaged. During the Winter War the remaining AEjs
were used as recon trainers and target towing aircraft in
T-LentoR 1 (Supplement Flying Regiment 1) and ISK
(Air Fighting School) at Kauhava, since 1941 Le.SK
(Air Combat School). |
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. Airspeed A.S.6E Envoy twin-engine trainer (coded EV-1) was donated from Germany on 22.1.1942 to "replace" accidentally down shot Finnish de Havilland D.H.89A Rapide Dragon passenger plane named "Lappi" [Lapland]. Plane had Czechoslovakian Walter Castor II engines. Top speed was slightly less than 300 km/h. Plane served since 25.4.1942 in Le.Lv.48
(Flying Squadron 48) and since 15.12.1942 in T-Le.Lv.17
(Supplement Flying Squadron 17). On 1.6.1943 it was
relieved to FAF Signals School (Ilmavoimien
viestikoulu, Ilmav.VK) as a radio training plane but it
crashed already on 31.7.1943 while landing at Parola
airfield. |
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Three
Swedish-built Asja Jaktfalken [Fighting
Falcon] fighter trainer aircraft were donated from Sweden
in 1939. One of the planes was J6A
version (JF-219) and another two were J6B
versions (JF-224, JF-228). During Winter War planes were
in T-LentoR 2 (Supplement Flying Regiment 2)
and later in Le.SK (Air Combat School)
at Kauhava until 1944. Top speed was about 285 km/h.
Plane was armed with two MGs. |
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. Three Avro Anson Is were bought together with BLs in the late 1930's and served mainly in liaison and training duties. During
Winter War all ANs were in T-LentoR
4 (Supplement Flying Regiment 4). On 26.2.1940 AN-103
crashed in take-off and was never repaired. At the
beginning of Continuation War the remaining two served in
Le.R 4 (Flying Regiment 4). In July 1942 AN-101
was handed over to FAF Staff (Ilmav.E) as a
liaison aircraft for the rest of the war. AN-102
was damaged badly on 3.3.1943 and was written off. Advanced twin-engine bomber trainer, liaison and transport aircraft Producer
A. V .Roe
& Co. Ltd., Manchester, UK Crew 3 - pilot, co-pilot, rear MG turret gunner Engines
2x
Armstrong Siddeley Cheetah IX / 350 hp, 9 cylinder air-cooled
radial engine Performance Equipment Defensive
armament (usually unarmed, could be armed) Codes AN-101...103 Remarks |
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Civilian Beechcraft
C 17L Traveller light passenger bi-plane was
donated from Denmark on 1.3.1940 but it was although
stored initially. Plane was coded BC-1
and used by FAF Staff (Ilmav.E) since 18.9.1942
in liaison duties until 1945 when it was damaged. Plain
was in white civilian painting with red decoration but
had normal FAF markings including yellow eastern
front markings painted over it. Plane was very fast: its
top speed was nearly 320 km/h. |
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Civilian Cessna
C-37 Airmaster (OH-VKF) light float plane was
expropriated to FAF in 1939 from the private
company Karhumäki Brothers [Veljekset Karhumäki]
and coded CE-1. It was the very first
Cessna bought and used in Europe. Plane was used in
liaison duties of LLv. 6 (Flying Squadron 6)
until May 1941. It was bought by FAF in October
1941 and used by LLv.46 (Flying Squadron 46)
until December 1943 when it was sold back to Karhumäki
Bros. Plane was used equipped either with floats or
wheels. Top speed was about 260 km/h. |
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. In 1927 Finnish Air Defence Association [Suomen Ilmapuolustusliitto, SIPL] bought one de Havilland D.H.60X Moth (OH-ILA, ex- K-SILA, named as "Ilmatar") plane from Britain for training FAF reserve pilots. This originally British plane was removed from civilian aircraft register already in 1937 and was stored. Today it is on display at Central Finland Aviation Museum at Luonetjärvi (Tikkakoski). Moth woke up so great interest in FAF that they were ordered in 1928 for elementary trainer and liaison purposes. Planes were licence-built in Finland by State Aircraft Factory (VL) as a designation de Havilland / VL D.H.60X Moth. Ten planes of series I (MO-96...105) were completed in 1929 but the last two (MO-104 and 105) were although equipped differently and sold to civilian markets in Finland as Moth Coupé. Planes were powered by Cirrus I 4-cylinded air-cooled inline engine (80 hp). 11 planes of series II (MO-106...116) were built in 1930. These had more powerful Cirrus Hermes II 4-cylinder air-cooled inline engines (115 hp) for which they were called in Finland as "Bull-Moth" [Härkämotti]. Top speed of MO (series II) was about 160 km/h. Planes could be equipped with wheels, floats or skiis. Civilian Moth (OH-ILD, ex- MO-103, ex- K-SILD, named as "Pilvetär") was used by Finnish Air Defence Association since 1929. In 1939 it was although sold to civilian markets but was expropriated to FAF before Winter War retaining its civilian register markings. Plane was used until November 1940 after which it was returned to its owners. Its original FAF code (MO-103) was given to another plane (OH-VKG) in 1940. Another civilian Moth Coupé (OH-ATA, ex- MO-104, ex- K-SATA, named as "Satakunta I", since 1938 "Paarma" [Gadfly]) was expropriated to FAF during the Winter War on 23.12.1940 but retained its civilian register markings. Plane was used until the July 1940 after which it was given back to its owners and was repaired by Karhumäki Brothers. In December 1940 plane was sold by FAF and re-coded as MO-104. It served in LLv.24 and since 27.7.1941 in LLv.12 but forced landed already on 24.8.1941 at Salmi. During repairs at Karhumäki Bros plane was equipped with Cirrus Hermes II engine and became so called "Bull-Moth". After repairs it was given to LLv.26 on 26.4.1942. On 16.6. plane again forced landed and also stalled at Härmälä (Tampere) airfield three days later with minor damages after which plane was repaired at Tampere. On 14.9.1942 it was relieved back to Le.Lv.26 until 16.8.1943 after which it was a liaison plane of Aviation Depot at Halli. On 29.9.1943 plane was given to Le.Lv./TLe.Lv.16 but since 30.5.1944 it was also used by Flying Regiment 2. On 12.7.1944 plane was given to HLe.Lv.28. Plane was destroyed at Lappee (Lappeenranta) in forced landing on 24.7.1944 (Maj. P.-E. Sovelius and Sgt T. Aarnio suffered minor injuries) and was later removed from FAF inventory. Third Finnish VL-made civilian Moth Coupé (OH-MAH, ex- MO-105, ex- K-SILC, named as "Karjala" [Karelia], ex- OH-ILC, named as "Pitkäisen poika") was expropriated by FAF in 1939 but it was neither re-coded and retained its civilian register markings. Also this plane is on display at Central Finland Aviation Museum at Luonetjärvi (Tikkakoski). In the 1930's also Karhumäki Brothers [Veljekset Karhumäki] built three Moth copies in Finland without a licence. Two of them were expropriated to FAF, one before Winter War in 1939 (OH-VKD) and another in December 1940 (OH-VKG). One plane was donated (ex- OH-VKE) before Winter War in 1939. The latter one was almost totally destroyed plane re-built by them. These planes were coded by FAF as follows:
Moths OH-ATA ("Satakunta I") and OH-VKE ("Pyry") were used in the first aviation course of Finnish Air Defence Association (SIPL) in August 1937 at Joroinen. Also OH-ATA (at that stage named as "Paarma") (ex-/later MO-104) was owned by Karhumäki Brothers since 1938 but it was sold in January 1939. One improved more streamlined Norwegian-made Kjeller Flyfabrik D.H.82 Tiger Moth (Norwegian number "159", phoney civilian code LN-BDD -> coded MO-159 in Finland) liaison aircraft was flown from Norway to Finland on 8.6.1940 and interned. This plane was powered by de Havilland Gipsy Major 4-cylinder air-cooled inline engine (130 hp). In total there were 23 FAF -coded MOs in Finland and a few ones with civilian register markings in temporary use. Ten planes (MO-96...101, 107, 110, 115 and 116) had been removed from inventory already before the Winter War due to crashes or full flying time. The remaining MOs were mainly used in liaison duties in ISK (later Le.SK) (Air Fighting/Combat School) and in many front squadrons until 1944. Planes serving in combat squadrons were in usual war paint scheme and during Continuation War with full eastern front markings. The short service records of these planes during the war were as follows:
Notes: |
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Civilian Desoutter Mk.II Sports Coupé light passenger plane was donated from Denmark by Danish Red Cross in September 1941 and arrived in Finland on 28.10.1941. It was used in liaison and ambulance duties between 1941 and 1944. Plane had red cross markings on the fuselage behind the cockpit. Top speed was about 200 km/h and It could be equipped both with wheels or skiis. Plane was
coded DS-1 and first given to Le.R 4
(Flying Regiment 4) and on 28.11.1941 to LLv.48
(Flying Squadron 48). On 10.3.1943 plane was moved to Le.Lv.42
(Flying Squadron 42) and on 14.7.1944 finally to PLe.Lv.44
(Bomber Squadron 44). During the Lapland War Plane was
damaged on 14.11.1944 at Kemi airfield. |
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Civilian three-seat Fairchild 24J De Luxe (OH-RIM) light passenger plane was expropriated to FAF on 17.10.1939. It was owned by FAF reserve fighter pilot V. Rimminen. Plane was bought on 31.12.1940 by FAF and coded FD-1. During
Winter War it was used with skiis by 2./T-LLv.39
(2nd Flight / Supplement Flying Squadron 39) and since 30.4.1940
by LLv.6 (Flying Squadron 6). For summer plane
was equipped with floats which were damaged early in the
summer 1940 and plane was relieved to Air Force Depot
for repairs and overhaul. Since 16.9.1940 FAF Staff
(Ilmav.E) used it for liaison duties. During winter plane
had again skiis and on 15./16.4.1941 it was equipped with
wheel landing gears again. On its first flight with
wheels plane although crashed on 19.4.1941 and was
destroyed. |
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. Two Fieseler Fi 156K-1 Storch liaison aircraft were bought from Germany in 1938. During Winter War planes were in LentoR 1 (Lentorykmentti 1). In the summer 1940 they were handed over to Air Force Staff (Ilmav.E) where ST-112 served until 1960. Since 22.7.1942 ST-113 was in Le.Lv./TLe.Lv.14 (Reconnaissance Squadron 14) until crashed on 26.10.1944. Former ST-112
is on display in Finnish Aviation Museum at Vantaa in its later civil
painting and with a new engine. Light STOL (Short Take-Off and Landing) reconnaissance and liaison aircraft Producer
Fieseler
Flugzeugbau G.m.b.H., Kassel, Germany Crew 2 or 3 - pilot and observer / radio operator or pilot and two passengers Engine
Argus
As 10C-3 / 240 hp, hanging 8-cylinder air-cooled inline
Vee engine Performance Equipment Remarks |
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In 1940 FAF bought 30 Focke-Wulf FW 44J Stieglitz elementary trainer and liaison aircraft (SZ-1...30) from Germany. Because production had ended in Germany already in 1938 planes were actually made by Ceskomoravska-Kolben-Danek at Prag, Czechoslovakia. Ten of the planes belonged to the series Norway had originally ordered but never received. Plane was powered by Siemens-Halske (Bramo) Sh 14A 7-cylinder air-cooled radial engine (150 hp). Maximum speed was 185 km/h. Plane could be equipped with wheels or skiis. Planes arrived in Finland in three batches between 25.5. - 15.8.1940. In March 1944 five more (SZ-31...35) of the ten ordered ones were received. Total amount was 35 planes. SZ trainers were used between 1940 and 1960(!) but several planes were stored in the summer 1940. Before Continuation War planes were in ISK (Air Fighting School) and later both in Le.SK (Air Combat School) and T-LLv.35 (Supplement Flying Squadron 35). One plane served in KoeL (Evaluation Flight) and FAF Staff (Ilmav.E) had four SZs. In 1960 the remaining 20 planes were sold to civilian markets and 15 of them stayed in Finland (registered between OH-SZA...OH-SZR). Several planes have survived until today in Finland - a few even in flying order in civil register of which one (OH-SZR) crashed at Kymi airfield on 23.4.2001. OH-SZO (ex-SZ-4) is another restored flyable Stieglitz with original-like painting and markings but with modern national insignias. Not all still flyable SZs in Finland are not although former FAF planes (they were licence-made and used also in Sweden). SZ planes are on display at least in Central Finland Aviation Museum [Keski-Suomen ilmailumuseo] at Tikkakoski (Luonetjärvi) and in Flight Museum of Karhula Aviation Club [Karhulan ilmailukerhon lentomuseo] at Kymi airfield (in Kotka). Remarks |
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. Two sample Gloster Gamecock fighters were bought from Great Britain in 1927 (Mk.I, GA-38) and 1928 (Mk.II, GA-43). VL (State Aircraft Factory) licence-built 15 Mk.IIs (GA-44...58) between 1929 - 1930. Top speed of was about 250 km/h. Plane was armed with two 7.7 mm Vickers Mk.I MGs. Like the most Finnish aircraft they could be equipped with wheels or skiis. During
Winter War the remaining GAs were used
as fighter trainers in LLv.29 / T-LentoR 2 (Flying
Squadron 29 / Supplement Flying Regiment 2). During
Continuation War they were in Le.SK (Air Combat
School) at Kauhava until 22.7.1944. The remaining two
planes were stored. |
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. The Federal State of South Africa bought 29 Gloster Gauntlet II fighters (GT-395...418) from Great Britain and donated these to Finland in 1940 but there were only 24 complete planes. It is not quite clear if the remaining five or some of these arrived in Finland as spare parts. 25th plane was probably built in Finland using spare parts to replace a damaged aircraft with the same code as in the original one but the plane has not yet been recognized. Top speed was about 370 km/h. Armament consisted of two 7.7 mm Browning MGs. Plane could be equipped with wheels or skiis. GTs were used between 1940 and 1945 as advanced fighter trainers. Since March 1940 the first ones were in LLv.29 / T-LentoR 2 (Flying Squadron 29 / Supplement Flying Regiment 2). At the beginning of Continuation war in June 1941 the eleven GTs in flying order were at first given to LLv.25 (Flying Squadron 25), in October 1941 to T-LLv.17 (Supplement Training Squadron 17) and further to T-LLv.35 (Supplement Training Squadron 35). Since late summer 1942 all GTs except one in T-Le.Lv.17 (Supplement Flying Squadron 17) were in Le.SK (Air Combat School) at Kauhava. A few were occasionally seen also as liaison aircraft in various frontline squadrons. Restored GT-400 with a new engine is still flyable
and can be seen in flying displays in Finland flown by Eng. Lt.Col.(ret.)
J. Laukkanen. Plane is owned by The Guild of
Aircraft Technique [Lentotekniikan Kilta]. |
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. Three Hanriot H.232.2 twin-engine trainers were bought from Germany in the summer 1941. Only two planes arrived in Finland on 24.7.1941. On 21.8.1941
HTs were given to T-LLv.17 (Supplement
Flying Squadron 17). On 28.9.1941 both planes were moved
to LLv.46 (Flying Squadron 46) and on 26.11.1941
to LLv.48 / Le.R 4 (Flying Squadron 48 / Flying
Regiment 4). HT-191 was badly damaged on
28.8.1942 and was written off. On 15.12.1942 HT-193
was handed over to re-formed T-Le.Lv.17 and
finally on 27.9.1944 back to PLe.Lv.46 (Bomber
Squadron 46). Twin-engine trainer Producer
S.N.C.A.C.,
Bourges, France Crew 2 - pilot (trainee), co-pilot (instructor) Engines
2x
Renault 6Q / 220 hp, 6 cylinder air-cooled hanging inline
engine Performance Equipment Defensive armament unarmed Codes HT-191...193 Remarks |
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During
Winter War FAF had two Junkers A 50
Junior aircraft in its use. One was former Civil
Guard plane (OH-SKY) coded SK-1
which was used between 1936 - 12.3.1940 when plane was
damaged beyond repair. Another was civilian Junkers
A 50ce Junior (OH-ABB) expropriated to FAF
in 1939. Both planes served in ISK (Air Fighting
School) and LLv.36 (Flying Squadron 36). Top
speed of SK-1 was only about 170 km/h. |
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. Ten Letov S 218 A Smolik (SM-127...136) elementary trainers and a licence to built planes in Finland were bought from Czechoslovakia in 1930. Planes powered by Walter NZ 9-cylinder air-cooled radial engine (130 hp) arrived in Finland in 1931. Plane was found very easy to handle and fly and between 1933 and 1936 State Aircraft Factory licence-built 29 planes in three series with different engines. Ten planes of the series I (SM-137...146) with Walter Mars 9-cylinder radial engine (145 hp) were made in 1933. Another ten of series II (SM147...156) with Walter Gemma engine (150 hp) were completed in 1935 and nine planes of series III (SM-157...165) in 1936. The seven last ones were with Siemens-Halske (Bramo) Sh 14A 7-cylinder radial engine (160 hp). Total number of SMs used was 39. Top speed was about 150 km/h but varied depending on the series. Planes served mainly in ISK (Air Fighting School) and since 1.3.1941 Le.SK (Air Combat School) at kauhava. By Winter War seven planes were already removed from inventory and two more by June 1941. Between 1941 and 1942 only 2 planes were phased out but in 1943 already 12 and in 1944 11 - partly because their high flying hours. In Autumn 1944 there were still five SMs left. Planes were used until
1945 after which four of them were relieved to Finnish
Aviation Association [Suomen ilmailuliitto, SIL] and
registered as OH-ILO, OH-ILP, OH-ILR, OH-ILS. Two SMs
were sold to the Officers' Club of Aviation Depot
and registered as OH-SME and OH-SMF. |
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Four captured Polikarov U-2 light elementary trainers were repaired during the Continuation War. Although obsolete and slow they were used as liaison planes. The first
one, coded VU-2, was used in Le.Lv.30 (Flying
Squadron 30) since 29.6.1942 until it crashed on 31.5.1943.
Another plane coded VU-2 as well was used in HLe.Lv.28
(Fighter Squadron 28) between 4.2.1944 - 13.7.1944. The
other two were at first in TLe.Lv.12 (Reconnaissance
Squadron 12) since 7.3.1944 (VU-3) and 8.4.1944 (VU-4).
The latter one was handed over to HLe.Lv.32 (Fighter
Squadron 32) on 20.6.1944 and was destroyed on 23.6.1944. Liaison aircraft Producer
?,
Soviet Union Crew 2 - pilot, passenger / observer Engine
Shvetsov
M-11D / 115 hp, 5-cylinder air-cooled radial engine Performance Equipment Codes Remarks |
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A total of five I-15bis fighters were captured during Winter War. Planes served in fighter training role initially in training squadrons LLv.29 and 34 (Flying Squadron 29 and 34) and since 1941 in T-Le.Lv.35 (Supplement Flying Squadron 35). They were not used in combat. Top speed was about 370 km/h. Codes (since when used): |
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One I-16 typ 18 fighter (code VH-201, since summer 1940 VH-21) was captured during Winter War. Plane was relieved to Germany for evaluations on 15.4.1941 and it was never returned. Five more were captured in 1941 and 1942 but only one I-16 typ 6 (code IR-101) was repaired flyable. Since August 1942 it was in 3./Le.Lv.6 (3rd Flight / Flying Squadron 6) and since 16.11.1942 in 2./Le.Lv.30 (2nd Flight / Flying Squadron 30) for evaluations. Plane didn't partisipate in battles. It was withdrawn from use in June 1943 and scrabbed after the war. Top speed was about 455 km/h. Two-seater I-16UTI fighter
trainer (code VH-22, since 28.11.41 UT-1) which was based
on I-16 typ 10 was captured in autumn
1941. Since spring 1942 plane was in Le.Lv.48 (Flying
Squadron 48) and since August 1942 in T-Le.Lv.35
(Supplement Flying Squadron 35). Plane was stored in
September 1942. Top speed was about 400 km/h. This very
rare aircraft is on display in Finnish Aviation
Museum at Vantaa close to the Helsinki International Airport.
It is probably the only survived example in the world. |
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Sääski I [Mosquito] wooden bi-plane prototype was designed and built privately in Finland in VL (State Aircraft Factory) in 1928. Plane was noticed by FAF, bought in 1928 for evaluations and coded SÄ-95. It was destroyed already in 1931. FAF ordered 10 further developed Sääski II (SÄ-117...126) elementary trainers and liaison aircraft in 1929 and yet another batch of ten in 1930 (SÄ-127...136). This version had 90 cm longer wing span and enlarged fin. 12 improved Sääski IIA (SÄ-137...148) planes were ordered in 1931. The main differences were even 70 cm longer wing span and slots fitted to upper wing. Planes were ordered for keeping the State Aviation Factory in full work between other deliveries. In total 32 SÄ II and SÄ IIA planes powered by Siemens-Halske Sh 12 9-cylinder radial engine (120 hp) were built between 1930 and 1932. Plane could be equipped with wheels, skiis or floats (used until 1939 only). Top speed of SÄ IIA was about 145 km/h. Plane was unarmed. They served mainly in ISK (Air Fighting School) at kauhava where they were used until 1941. When more modern planes became available there was no need for using this already obsolete type. At least
three SÄ IIs flew in Finnish civil
register markings already before the war. SÄ-139 was
destroyed in 1938. The one owned by Kymmene Air
Defence Association [Kymenlaakson
ilmapuolustusyhdistys] was coded OH-ILG and named "Hakkapeliitta"
[Hackapel]. Also Civil Guard's Aviation Company
had one coded OH-HEA. The third was OH-ILF named "Kurki"
[Crane]. Coast Guard's SÄ II
coded LK-1 was stored for museum already in 1933. This
plane is on display in Hallinportti Aviation Museum at Jämsä
(Halli) near Tampere. |
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VL (State Aircraft Factory) designed and built VL E.30 Kotka I [Eagle] light maritime reconnaissance bi-plane prototype (KA-144) in Finland in 1930. It was destroyed already in 1938. FAF
ordered a further series of five VL Kotka II
aircraft (KA-145...149) which were built in 1931. KA
was a secondary type but actually very liked. It was
built only because of licence problems with Blackburn
Ripon IIF planes. In 1938 all KAs
were converted to land planes and became target-tugs and
trainers. Top speed was about 225 km/h with wheels. The
last remaining plane was used until February 1945. KAs
could be equipped with wheels or skiis. Initial armament
consisted of one forward firing 7.7 mm Vickers MG in
fuselage and twin 7.7 mm Lewis MG or one 7.7 mm L-33/36
MG for observer. Planes were later usually unarmed. |
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VL (State Aircraft Factory) designed and built VL Tuisku [Blizzard] multi-purpose trainer bi-plane prototype (TU-149) in 1933 but it was destroyed already during evaluation tests in January 1934 (pilot bailed out). This accident was as strange as it may sound valuable because it gave much new even internationally important information on vibrations and the so called flutter effect and helped developing new constructional solutions. TU was a very versatile plane and well suited for gunnery training, level and dive bombing training, radio and liaison training as well as navigation and aerial photography training. Between 1935 and 1939 a total of 30 aircraft (TU-150...179) were delivered to FAF. Of the first 12 planes (series I) four were maritime trainers equipped with floats (TU-150 was destroyed in 1937, TU-160, 162 and 166 remained equipped with floats), four pilot trainers with doubled avionics both for pilot and co-pilot and four observer trainers. The rest of the planes belonged to series II and 14 of them were pilot trainers and four observer trainers. There were no major differences between the series (batch) I and II. TUs could be equipped with wheels, skiis or floats and armed with front MG and rear 7.62 mm Vickers observer MG. Top speed was about 210 km/h. Planes
were used until 1948. TU-150, 159, 163 and 172 had been
destroyed before Winter War. TU-163 was a named plane
"Pilven veikko" ["The Fellow of the Cloud"]
financed by the University Students' Association
(SYKL). TU-178 was a named plane "Sokeri-Sirkku"
[literally "The Sugar-Bunting"; Sirkku is also
a females' first name and a sugar brand in Finland]
financed by Suomen Sokeri Oy [Finnish Sugar Co.]
and it is on display in Finnish Aviation Museum at Vantaa. |
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VL (State Aircraft Factory) designed and built VL Viima [Strong Wind] elementary trainer and liaison aircraft prototype (series I) in Finland between 1934 - 1935 (VI-1). Plane didn't meet the demands and the smaller series II prototype (VI-2) powered by Siemens-Halske Sh 14A 7-cylinder air-cooled radial engine (160 hp) was built and flown in 1937. It was fitted with Townend ring around engine which later serial planes didn't have. The 20 aircraft of Viima II (series II) (VI-3...22) were delivered to FAF in 1939. Additionally built two planes were given to Finnish Air Defence Association [Suomen ilmapuolustusliitto, SIPL] in 1939 and were in civil register (codes OH-ILM and OH-ILN). The latter one was expropriated to FAF in 1939 and coded as VI-23. VI II didn't replace Smolik (SM) until after the war. Although it was easier to handle and fly it was more demanding to land especially on windy weather because of its slow landing speed. They were improved slightly during the war, for example fin was enlarged and one-piece windshield was replaced with straight three-piece one which improved visibility. VI IIs could be equipped with wheels or skiis. Plane was unarmed and its top speed was about 185 km/h. VI-3 was a
named plane "Haijala" financed by the cadre
NCOs of the Finnish Defence Forces. VI-4 was a
named plane called "Kokko" financed by the
Finnish elementary school teachers. Another plane of SIPL
in civil register OH-ILM was a named plane "Pirkka"
financed by the retail dealers of Finland. These very
popular bi-planes were used in a modified form (with
closed cabin) until 1962(!). Many VI IIs
flew in civil register after their long service in FAF.
Former VI-21 (civil register OH-VII) is on display in Finnish Aviation
Museum at Vantaa. |
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. VL (State Aircraft Factory) designed Pyry [Whirling Snow] fighter trainer mono-planes in Finland at the end of 1930's to meet the training demands of Fokker D.XXI (FR) fighter. Flying characteristics of PY were rather demanding on purpose as were those of FRs. During the war wings were although modified adding slots and engine mount was lengthened 15 cm to improve the weight balance when flying with two pilots. These modifications removed the most dangerous behaviours of the plane which had already led to several accidents and numerous dangerous situations. Prototype (PY-1) was first flown on 23.3.1939. Between January and June 1941 serial planes were relieved from factory to many squadrons and Le.SK (Air Combat School) at Kauhava. Since June 1941 all PYs were moved from frontline squadrons to T-LLv.25 (Supplement Flying Squadron 25). Fighter training squadron LLv.34 (Flying Squadron 34) was also partly equipped with PYs in 1941. On 1.10.1941 both T-LLv.25 and LLv.34 were suspended and attached to yet another training squadron T-LLv.35 (Supplement Flying Squadron 35). Most PYs were handed over to bomber training squadron T-LLv.17 (Supplement Flying Squadron 17). On 27.10.1941 it was too suspended and its PYs were at first given to LLv.46 (Flying Squadron 46) and a month later to LLv.48 (Flying Squadron 48) which were temporarily without bombers and took the training duties of bomber pilots and crews. The last PYs were delivered in August 1942. Since then planes served in T-Le.Lv.35 (Supplement Flying Squadron 35) at Vesivehmaa and Le.SK (Air Combat School) at Kauhava. A few planes served also in liaison and training duties in front squadrons. PY-30 of Le.Lv.34 was at Utti in 1943 and is believed to be the only PY painted with full war paint. PYs were
used in Finland until 1962(!). At least two of them are
on display in Central Finland Aviation Museum at
Tikkakoski (Luonetjärvi) and in Finnish Aviation Museum at Vantaa. Fighter trainer and liaison aircraft Producer
Valtion
Lentokonetehdas (VL) (State Aircraft Factory), Tampere,
Finland Crew 2 - trainee and instructor or pilot and passenger Engine
Wright
Whirlwind R-975-E3 / 450 hp, 9-cylinder air-cooled radial
engine Performance Equipment Defensive armament 1 - 7.7 mm Browning m.39 MG (480 rds) (forward) Codes
(when
relieved from factory) Remarks |
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| . . Sources: KESTE7, KESTE12, KESTE13, KESTE14, KESTE15, KESTE22, KESTE33, ANTOS3, MANPE1, TERIS1, SIL 1/2004 (Special thanks to I. Tervonen for kindly providing additional information on civilian de Havilland Moths in Finland.) . . |
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© 2002 - 13.9.2004 Harri Anttonen