Virtuaalilentäjät ry – Finnish Virtual Pilots Association history project happily presents new aviation history related articles
After the summer is now over the results of our work during past months is getting ready to publication.
There are several interesting articles being prepared, both in Finnish and English language. Some are just being translated, many more being transcribed from the interview tapes for further processing. During next months we will offer interesting insights into the men Finnish Air Force, including the highest scoring Finnish fighter ace alive, Kyösti Karhila (Curtiss Hawk 75, Me 109 G), Morane Saulnier MS 406 and Messerchmitt ace Hemmo Leino, Morane Saulnier MS 406 and Messerchmitt ace Antti Tani, Brewster and Me ace Jussi Huotari, SB-2 submarine hunters Heikki Tuominen and Erkki Palosuo, about the Finnish World War II pilots’ Association and many more.
You will find the Finnish Virtual Pilots Association aviation history site from address:
http://www.virtualpilots.fi/hist/Our recent recent releases in English language:
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."
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.
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.
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."
All articles available at:
http://www.virtualpilots.fi/hist/You’ll find more information about the association’s history project from
http://www.virtualpilots.fi/en/info/hist/ The Association also took part in the Finnish MoonTV-channel’s OverDose games show, alongside with three WW2 fighter pilots. That report can be checked from:
http://www.virtualpilots.fi/albums/overdose2002/ Virtuaalilentäjät ry - Virtual Pilots Finland Association is an association, which purpose is to promote World War II multiplayer flight simulators and aviation hobby among people interested in aviation. Our plan of action also includes active research and preservation of Finnish aviation history.
More information about the association is available from
http://www.virtualpilots.fi . Information about the history project:
http://www.virtualpilots.fi/en/info/hist/ .
