Finnish Air Force Museum 2020/06/04

[zenrat]

Good pics.
I can't get over the size of the heating ducts.  I guess its a big space and Finland does get cold...

It's on my list of "must visit" countries (not a "bucket list" as I refuse to admit to the possibility of kicking one anytime soon).

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I almost forgot about the Focke-Wulf Fw 44J Stieglitz trainer, also near the Brewster.
Finland acquired 30 in 1940, and a few more in 1944. This one, SZ-4, was bought back from the civilian market in 1970, and used by the Test Flight until 1989.

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Now, a couple of favorites from the back end of the display hall, going around clockwise, as now instructed (for social distancing).

Messerschmitt Bf 109G-6 (MT-507)

Finland had some Bf 109G-2 models since the first half of 1943. Germany agreed to sell G-6 models in 1944, after the siege of Leningrad broke and Soviet forces started a push west.

MT-507 was the last Messerscmitt to fly in Finnish service, in March 1954.

(towards the rear wall, there's one of the few displayed civilian aircraft: SZD-22C Mucha Standard aerobatic glider)

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VL Pyörremyrsky

The idea was to build a fighter to match Bf 109G-6 performance, using a DB 605 engine and as much wooden construction as possible. Different designs were proposed, but only one prototype, Pyörremyrsky PM-1 was built. It met the goals but the war was over before it could be put into production.







The DB 605 installation often makes people think that the Pyörremyrsky (tornado, hurricane) is a Bf 109 copy. It is a different design but obviously using proven proportions and other design elements.

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Fouga CM 170 Magister (FM-45)
The Finnish Air Force operated 80 Fouga Magister trainers between 1958 and 1988. Now, 2 continue in civilian hands, doing displays and flying experience.

The Fouga looks better in the air, if you ask me.



MiG-21F-13 (MG-92)
Finland operated 22 MiG-21F-13 aircraft as fighters and reconnaissance aircraft 1963-1985. MiG-21F-13 was the first jet fighter of the Finnish Air Force to exceed Mach 2.

The F-model is the best looking MiG to me. What the ...  Let's just say it is PRETTY. Pity I couldn't get a better picture



The pointy end of a MiG-21F-13

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The pointy end of a Saab 35S Draken - with something that is certainly meant to be removed before flight:



The patience of that conscript Assistant Mechanic under the Draken was amazing: he didn't budge the whole time I was there.

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Almost back at the entrance, the Bristol Blenheim Mk IV
Finland bought and built almost 100 Blenheim Mk I and Mk IV bombers before and during the Winter War and Continuation War.



There's also a Blenheim Mk I cockpit section.



... and some crew on the other side

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There's also engines, ejection seats, weapons, etc. on display.

Do we have any recident aircraft gun experts? I didn't spot any labels for these. I'm guessing there may be German, Soviet, and Western guns here:



There's lots of scale models and dioramas. Some among the main exhibition, but much more on the balcony. Let's say hundreds of plastic models in 1/72, 1/48 and 1/32 ; and dozens of dioramas.

This one has a Morane-Saulnier M.S.406 and some crew bathing and washing their clothes.



The little café/shop has a scale model too. Pretty big. I'm guessing 1/5 or 1/4 scale.

[NARSES2]

Fantastic photos, many thanks 

My favourite is the GL 22, and I've never even heard of it before. Looking it up, it just missed the First World War and was designed and built at a time when everybody seemed to be going through a parasol monoplane phase. Has somewhat of the look of a SPAD at the front end.

Thanks again

Chris

[PR19_Kit]

As Chris said, SUPER pics there! 

I'm amazed the museum was open though, all the ones here have shut up shop.

Interesting that the signage on that diorama is in English..............

[perttime]

...
My favourite is the GL 22
...

The GL.22 is one of my favourites too. Having a Hispano-Suiza engine probaly makes the front end look similar to a SPAD. No superpower ever adopted it, and I think only something over a 100 were ever built of the few different models. Right next to the GL.22, there's other aircraft from about the same period - and I hardly looked at them, not to speak about taking photos. Ugly enough to be interesting maybe?

Finland never had quite the kind of COVID-19 lockdown that some other places have. From 1st June, restrictions were further relaxed. Being a sparsely populated country has its advantages.

[DogfighterZen]

Great pics indeed, thanks for sharing!

[Old Wombat]

 

[NARSES2]

The GL.22 is one of my favourites too. Having a Hispano-Suiza engine probaly makes the front end look similar to a SPAD. No superpower ever adopted it, and I think only something over a 100 were ever built of the few different models. Right next to the GL.22, there's other aircraft from about the same period - and I hardly looked at them, not to speak about taking photos. Ugly enough to be interesting maybe?

Yup, I read up on it after seeing your photo. there were a couple of developments of the basic airframe. Make a nice model

[zenrat]

Thank you for the pictures.

The Me 109G6 has a tropical filter.  IIRC this was due to dusty summer conditions?