Is there a competent history of the Finnish Air Force?

[R Palimaka]

Hope this is the right place to ask this. I've been trying to find a good history of the Finnish AIr Force in English, or otherwise, without success. I've seen the old Aircam history but it only goes up to 1968. There is the old Squadron Signal history that covers 1939-45, but it is commanding stupid prices on Amazon. Osprey also has "Finnish Aces of Second World War" and "Lentolaivue 24" in Elite Units. 

 

Seems like a bit of an omission for a small but important air arm. FInland has held a delicate place in international power struggles for almost 100 years. 

 

Just curious.

 

Richard

[LSP_K2]

I'm certainly no expert, but none that I've ever seen. As you point out, most of what is or has been available, is very limited in scope. If you're referring to this Squadron/Signal book, I can't begin to imagine why it would be expensive at all.

 

[BradG]

There's one on ebay now for 30 bucks plus post out of the UK.

 

Also there's heaps written on the Finns, granted quite a lot on WW2, just google and you'll get a wide variety of whats out there, including stuff like this which I think is something you're after.

 

https://www.amazon.com/Finnish-Tehtava-taivaalla-Suomen-Ilmavoimat/dp/9522291862

Edited September 22, 2020 by BradG

[R Palimaka]

Thanks Brad, especially for that one recommendation, which looks like exactly what I was looking for. I’ll see if I can find a copy somewhere in Europe. 

 

I had tried general searches on  Amazon, Abebooks, Book Depository and a couple of European bookshops with not much luck. It’s as you said, some available on specific aircraft or units, but mostly 1939-45. 
 

Richard

[Tnarg]

There was a multi-volume history series with English captions, what area are you interested in? Look for Suomen Ilmavoimien Historia series. There were almost 30 of them, with individual aircraft type profiles or time period focus. Lots of photos and profiles in colors. Enough English for me to figure them out.

 

Tnarg

[Radub]

If you are looking for photos, colour schemes and profiled, Mushroom Model Publications has some great books:

http://mmpbooks.com/shop2/?target=search&mode=search&substring=Finnish&including=any

Hth,

They also have a book on the Russian aircraft involved in the war with the Finns 

Radu

[Radub]

The search on the MMP website that I posted above did not list their books on fighter colours because they are sold out. Here they are: 

http://mmpbooks.biz/ksiazki/247

http://mmpbooks.biz/ksiazki/279 

These books are beautiful, with very nice profiles and photos. 

HTH 

Radu 

Edited September 22, 2020 by Radub

[R Palimaka]

Thank you for all this gentlemen. All excellent suggestions.

 

I was looking for a one-volume history, hopefully more recent than Chris Shores’ book. I should have been more clear. It was meant as a thank you gift for a friend who is Finnish, and involved in aviation and the restoration scene. The one Brad suggested looks good, but it’s listed as unavailable. Hopefully I can find one in Finland or Europe. 
 

I’m always amazed by the depth of knowledge on this site. Thank you! 
 

Richard

 

PS: Have to get the Caudron C.714 book for myself. An enormous book dedicated to a not very successful fighter.