A photo report on a vet - Fokkers and big images.
I'm working on the interview and photos of one of the silent heroes of the war.
One of those, who were never recognized and seldom honored, but did their duty.
This man is mr. Tapani Lampimäki, a local WW2 veteran. He served in the LeLv 14, as radio operator and machine gunner. His squadron flew the oldest junk FiAF ever had. Ancient Fokker C.V biplanes, just a tiny bit newer Fokker C.X's and a bit with the horrendous Lysanders. They lived in wilderness airstrip, in middle of ancient forests, bears and Russian partisans. No front lines, both sides actively scouting and fighting in each's rear.
Mr. Lampimäki was one of the most experienced gunners, navigators, radio mans, in the squadron. His mission was to scout, to find Russian patrols day and night, summer and winter. They flew in conditions when all other planes were grounded. They flew in a war most of you can't imagine - dive bombing enemy forces, bases, supply bases, troop movements in those lumbering horrors from stone age, heavily laden with bombs and absolutely no armor plates; in area where the enemy reigned supreme in air, with newer, faster, more heavily armed fighter planes against the few outdated Morane-Saulnier 406 fighters the squadron had - still in 1944!
And he made it through. I feel lucky having met with couple of times and talking with him.
Of course, thanks to the Dutch for building such sturdy planes. Without such remarkable, durable handiwork he would be dead today - but the plane brought him back, even with the plane once shot into total shambles. The mechanics counted 27 bullet holes around his seat, the engine was hit, oil mostly drained out, a fuel tank fell off in flight and during repairs the wings actually fell off the plane. But the Fokker brougth both of them back!
Fokker C.V. destroyed in SOviet bombing 1942.
A handsome young man in 1944, mr. Lampimäki at Tiiksjärvi wilderness air base.
Mr. Lampimäki in 1943.
"My trusty warhorse for two years, FO-68 (Fokker C.V.)"
Back from a mission, dropping food supplies to a starving Finnish "sissi" patrol behind enemy lines 1944.
It wasn't always serious. 1941.
New orders - to Blenheim squadron PLeLv 48 in 1944.
The old veteran, blind today, participated in the Association trip and touched - as he couldn't see it - his old friend, Blenheim, for the first time since the war.
It all will be in our aviation history site, in english some day
