Finnish aircraft on the eve of June 1941

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Kelvin
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Finnish aircraft on the eve of June 1941

#1

Post by Kelvin » 19 Apr 2021, 14:27

Hello, every members, I would like to ask if anyone have type and breakdown of aircraft, especially fighters and bombers of Finnish Air Force on the eve of Continuation War (June 1941), anyone can help on that ? Thank

wwilson
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Re: Finnish aircraft on the eve of June 1941

#2

Post by wwilson » 19 Apr 2021, 15:23

Found a brief mention:
The main types of fighter aircraft were the Brewster, the Fiat, the Fokker D.XXI, the Morane M.S. 406 and the Curtiss Hawk, while the Fokker C.X was the main scout and light bomber aircraft and the Bristol Blenheim the most important bomber aircraft. The Air Force had a total strength of 550 aircraft.
at https://ilmavoimat.fi/en/history#The%20 ... 1939-1945)

ETA. Bit more here.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finnish_A ... %80%931944

Lists of aircraft types, numbers, and years in service here.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_m ... of_Finland

Cheers


Mangrove
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Re: Finnish aircraft on the eve of June 1941

#3

Post by Mangrove » 19 Apr 2021, 15:55

Mostly complete list of Finnish Air Force units and locations on 22 June 1941. I have not included various planes at storage or under repair at depots. Sources:

http://digi.narc.fi/digi/view.ka?kuid=4438499
http://digi.narc.fi/digi/view.ka?kuid=4438571
http://digi.narc.fi/digi/view.ka?kuid=4438513
http://digi.narc.fi/digi/view.ka?kuid=4438517
http://digi.narc.fi/digi/view.ka?kuid=4438518
http://digi.narc.fi/digi/view.ka?kuid=3606605
http://digi.narc.fi/digi/view.ka?kuid=4438542
http://digi.narc.fi/digi/view.ka?kuid=4438544
http://digi.narc.fi/digi/view.ka?kuid=4438545
http://digi.narc.fi/digi/view.ka?kuid=4438546
http://digi.narc.fi/digi/view.ka?kuid=3606578

HQ of the Finnish Air Force at Helsinki with Fieseler Fi 156 Storch and Beechcraft Model 17 liaison aircrafts

HQ of Lentosotakoulu at Kauhava Air Base
Aliupseeriohjaajakurssi 10 at Kauhava Air Base with Focke-Wulf Fw 44, Letov Š-218, VL Sääski, VL Viima, De Havilland Moth and VL Tuisku trainers
Aliupseeriohjaajakurssi 11 at Menkijärvi Air Base with Focke-Wulf Fw 44, Letov Š-218, VL Sääski, VL Viima, De Havilland Moth and VL Tuisku trainers
Reserviupseeriohjaajakurssi 11 at Lestijärvi Air Base with Focke-Wulf Fw 44, Letov Š-218, VL Sääski, VL Viima, De Havilland Moth and VL Tuisku trainers
Reserviupseeriohjaajakurssi 13 at Laajalahti Air Base with Focke-Wulf Fw 44, Letov Š-218, VL Sääski, VL Viima, De Havilland Moth and VL Tuisku trainers

Lentolaivue 6 at Kiikala Air Base with Tupolev SB bombers and Polikarpov I-153 fighters

HQ of Lentolaivue 12 at Mikkeli Air Base
1./Lentolaivue 12 at Mikkeli Air Base being retrained with Curtiss Hawk fighters
2./Lentolaivue 12 at Mikkeli Air Base with Gloster Gladiator fighters
3./Lentolaivue 12 at Mikkeli Air Base with Fokker C.X dive bombers

HQ of Lentolaivue 14 at Padasjoki Air Base
1./Lentolaivue 14 at Utti Air Base with Gloster Gladiator fighters
2./Lentolaivue 14 at Selänpää Air Base being retrained with Curtiss Hawk fighters
3./Lentolaivue 14 Padasjoki Air Base with Fokker C.X dive bombers

Lentolaivue 15 (Lentue X) at Vaasa with Junkers K 43 and a Heinkel He-155 floatplanes

HQ of Lentolaivue 16 at Rissala Air Base
1./Lentolaivue 16 at Rautavaara Air Base with Gloster Gladiator fighters
2./Lentolaivue 16 at Rautavaara Air Base with Westland Lysander army cooperation aircraft
3./Lentolaivue 16 at Rissala Air Base with with Fokker C.X dive bombers

Täydennyslentolaivue 17 at Karvia Air Base with Avro Anson, Bristol Bulldog, Fokker C.V, Fokker C.X, Hanriot H.232.2, VL Kotka, VL Pyry and VL Tuisku trainers

Lentorykmentti 2 ("Flying Regiment 2")
HQ of the Regiment at Pieksämäki
Täydennyslentolaivue 25 at Ylivieska with VL Pyry and Gloster Gauntlet trainers
1. and 2./Lentolaivue 24 at Vesivehmaa Air Base with Brewster Buffalo fighters
3./Lentolaivue 24 at Selänpää Air Base with Brewster Buffalo fighters

Lentolaivue 26 at Joroinen Air Base with Fiat G.50 fighters
Lentolaivue 28 at Naarajärvi Air Base with Morane-Saulnier M.S.406/410 fighters

Lentorykmentti 3 ("Flying Regiment 3")
1./Lentolaivue 30 at Pori Air Base being transferred to Hollola Air Base with Hawker Hurricane fighters
2./Lentolaivue 30 at Pori Air Base with Fokker D.XXI fighters
3./Lentolaivue 30 at Turku Air Base with Fokker D.XXI fighters

Lentolaivue 32 at Hyvinkää Air Base with Fokker D.XXI fighters
Lentolaivue 34 at Parola Air Base with Polikarpov I-15bis trainers
Täydennyslentolaivue 35 at Tuovila and Parola Air Bases with Fokker D.XXI, VL Pyry, Gloster Gamecock, Bristol Bulldog, Polikarpov I-15(bis) and Jaktfalken II trainers

Lentorykmentti 4 ("Flying Regiment 4")
HQ of the Regiment at Luonetjärvi Air Base
Lentolaivue 42 at Luonetjärvi Air Base with Bristol Blenheim and Fokker C.V bombers & Desoutter Mk.II liaison aircraft
Lentolaivue 44 being transferred to Siikakangas Air Base with Bristol Blenheim bombers
Lentolaivue 46 at Luonetjärvi Air Base with Bristol Blenheim bombers and a Douglas DC-2 transport

Seppo Koivisto
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Re: Finnish aircraft on the eve of June 1941

#4

Post by Seppo Koivisto » 19 Apr 2021, 18:55

According to the book Finnish Air Force 1941, Finland had on 25 June 1941 188 serviceable warplanes and about 50 in overhaul or repair.
LLv 24: 33 BW
LLv 26: 26 FA
LLv 28: 27 MS
LLv 30: 5 HC, 18 FRw
LLv 32: 12 FRw
121 fighters

LLv 42: 9 BL
LLv 44: 8 BL
LLv 46: 3 BL, 4 DB
24 bombers

LLv 6: 2 KO, 3 SB, 5 I-153
10 attached to navy

LLv 12: 3 GL, 7 FK, 1st flight being equipped with CU
LLv 14: 4 GL, 6 FK, 2nd flight being equipped with CU
LLv 16: 6 GL, 3 LY, 4 FK
33 reconnaissance

Kelvin
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Re: Finnish aircraft on the eve of June 1941

#5

Post by Kelvin » 20 Apr 2021, 11:39

Dear Seppo Koivisto, Mangrove and wwilson, thank for all your contribution. Very Helpful.

To conclude in June 1941, Finnish Air Force had 33 x Brewstar Buffalo, 26 x Fiat G50, 27 x Morane Saulnier 406,30 x Fokker D XXI, 5 x Hawker Hurricane, 13 x Gloster Gladiatior, 5 x Palikapov I 153 fighers, 20 x Bristol Blenhem 17 x Fokker C X, 4 Soviet DB and 3 x SB bombers.

Kelvin
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Re: Finnish aircraft on the eve of June 1941

#6

Post by Kelvin » 22 Apr 2021, 07:17

Seppo Koivisto wrote:
19 Apr 2021, 18:55
According to the book Finnish Air Force 1941, Finland had on 25 June 1941 188 serviceable warplanes and about 50 in overhaul or repair.
LLv 24: 33 BW
LLv 26: 26 FA
LLv 28: 27 MS
LLv 30: 5 HC, 18 FRw
LLv 32: 12 FRw
121 fighters

LLv 42: 9 BL
LLv 44: 8 BL
LLv 46: 3 BL, 4 DB
24 bombers

LLv 6: 2 KO, 3 SB, 5 I-153
10 attached to navy

LLv 12: 3 GL, 7 FK, 1st flight being equipped with CU
LLv 14: 4 GL, 6 FK, 2nd flight being equipped with CU
LLv 16: 6 GL, 3 LY, 4 FK
33 reconnaissance

Hi, Seppo Koivisto, Westland Lysander was recce aircraft, but why Fokker CX dive bomber and British Gloster Gladiators were considered as recce in Finnish Air Force ? Thank

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Topspeed
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Re: Finnish aircraft on the eve of June 1941

#7

Post by Topspeed » 22 Apr 2021, 11:32

Since Winter war Bristol Bulldogs and Gloster Gradiators were doomed and slow for combat against Mig-3 and Lagg-3 fighters.

Kelvin
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Re: Finnish aircraft on the eve of June 1941

#8

Post by Kelvin » 22 Apr 2021, 11:54

Topspeed wrote:
22 Apr 2021, 11:32
Since Winter war Bristol Bulldogs and Gloster Gradiators were doomed and slow for combat against Mig-3 and Lagg-3 fighters.
Hi, Topspeed, LaGG-3 and MiG-3 entered service very shortly and their number were limited. The mainstay of Soviet Red Air Force were Polikarpov 153 and 16, I think Gladiator was a match for I15 and 16.

Seppo Koivisto
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Re: Finnish aircraft on the eve of June 1941

#9

Post by Seppo Koivisto » 22 Apr 2021, 14:30

Kelvin wrote:
22 Apr 2021, 07:17
Hi, Seppo Koivisto, Westland Lysander was recce aircraft, but why Fokker CX dive bomber and British Gloster Gladiators were considered as recce in Finnish Air Force ? Thank
Their main task was reconnaissance, but the C.X was also used for bombing. The Gladiator was withdrawn from fighter units during the Winter War, as it had no pilot armor and was prone to catch fire.

Kelvin
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Re: Finnish aircraft on the eve of June 1941

#10

Post by Kelvin » 22 Apr 2021, 14:45

Seppo Koivisto wrote:
22 Apr 2021, 14:30
Kelvin wrote:
22 Apr 2021, 07:17
Hi, Seppo Koivisto, Westland Lysander was recce aircraft, but why Fokker CX dive bomber and British Gloster Gladiators were considered as recce in Finnish Air Force ? Thank
Their main task was reconnaissance, but the C.X was also used for bombing. The Gladiator was withdrawn from fighter units during the Winter War, as it had no pilot armor and was prone to catch fire.
Hello Seppo Koivisto, thank for your help.

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Topspeed
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Re: Finnish aircraft on the eve of June 1941

#11

Post by Topspeed » 22 Apr 2021, 18:50

Kelvin wrote:
22 Apr 2021, 11:54
Topspeed wrote:
22 Apr 2021, 11:32
Since Winter war Bristol Bulldogs and Gloster Gradiators were doomed and slow for combat against Mig-3 and Lagg-3 fighters.
Hi, Topspeed, LaGG-3 and MiG-3 entered service very shortly and their number were limited. The mainstay of Soviet Red Air Force were Polikarpov 153 and 16, I think Gladiator was a match for I15 and 16.

Limited or not their number was 5 fold to all FAF aeroplanes already in June 1941.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mikoyan-Gurevich_MiG-3


In 1941 2 400 Lagg-3 were in service: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lavochkin ... kov_LaGG-3

Seppo Koivisto
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Re: Finnish aircraft on the eve of June 1941

#12

Post by Seppo Koivisto » 22 Apr 2021, 23:20

The book Finnish Air Force 1941 also lists Russian forces against Finns on 24 June 1941. The Red Air Force and Fleet had:
545 bombers (SB, DB-3, Ar-2, Pe-2)
521 older fighters (I-16, I-153, I-15bis)
137 MiG-3 fighters
8 Jak-1 fighters
https://www.amazon.com/Suomen-Ilmavoima ... 9529974310

Mangrove
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Re: Finnish aircraft on the eve of June 1941

#13

Post by Mangrove » 01 May 2021, 08:41

Finnish Air Force flying units, their bases and areas of operations on 24 June 1941. Digitised from the paper original preserved at the National Archives of Finland. Red indicates fighter, blue bomber and green reconnaissance squadrons.
Finnish_Air_Force_24_June_1941.jpg

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tramonte
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Re: Finnish aircraft on the eve of June 1941

#14

Post by tramonte » 09 Jun 2021, 10:29

I guess Soviet U quite soon pulled lot off their bombers and fighters to other fronts and many their remaining units where fighting not only against FiAF but more advanced and skilled Luftwaffe. No way was there 500 bombers against Finns.
"Military history is nothing but a tissue of fictions and legends, only a form of literary invention; reality counts for very little in such affair."

- Gaston de Pawlowski, Dans les rides du front

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