In 1918 just after Finland separated from Imperial Russia and came independent state after a bloody Civilization war, a Swedish count Eric von Rosen gave the Finnish White government its first aircraft. Von Rosen had painted his personal good luck charm on the Thulin Typ D aircraft. This charm - a blue swastika, the ancient symbol of the sun and good luck - was adopted as the insignia of the Finnish Air Force. . The swastika was officially taken into use after an order by Commander-in-Chief C. G. E. Mannerheim on 18 March 1918. The FAF changed its aircraft insignia after 1944, due to an Allied Control Commission decree prohibiting Fascist organizations and it resembling the 3rd Reich's swastika.
Finland bought 12 Mk I Hurricanes at the end of the Winter War, but lost two during the transit flight. The aircraft did not have much success (only 5½ kills). When hostilities began again on 25 June 1941, their use was quite limited, partially because they were worn out due to the scarcity of replacement parts available during the Interim Peace (13 March 1940 - 25 June 1941) and subsequent combat flying. One Hurricane Mk IIB was captured from the Soviets during the war and flown by the Finnish Air Force.
I believe the Hurry was just restored recently... Looks great honoring the FAF. Anyone know which Merlin they wound up installing in her? Thanx and cheers
Franky46Boy 12 of Hurricanes were bought after the winter war, 2 of The 12 Lost during delivery flights to Finland. They was used during The continuation war, but didnt get as many kills as other FAF planes. Beautiful plane! Edit: and we did capture Also soviet airforce Hurricanes, but those had different engines etc. so they didnt really get into action by Finns.
@@fatherlandchild2780 Finland actually bought these Hurricanes with real money. The problem was that all the European countries were afraid of making Stalin mad and getting any material was very difficult. After the war, the British tried to get their planes back, clearly having forgotten that they were already paid for. Being a small country with a big enemy is not easy.
Why does the Hawker Hurricane have svastikas on it? Am I missing something here? Sorry but I don't know a lot about planes, maybe there's some kind of sensible explanation? Thanks :)
To answer your question: the swastika was the internationally recognized marking for Finnish military aircraft, the same as the roundel, star or cross was for other air-arms. You will notice that the Finnish version is the reverse of the Nazi symbol. There is nothing sinister in this; the swastika is a motif found across much of the world. My father told me that when he was with RAF 604 Squadron in 1941, before they were finished converting to Bristol Beaufighters, there were Bristol Blenheims on strength that were painted in the standard, flat black finish and usual markings for night fighters. Just still visible under the RAF colours were Finnish swastikas. It was intended that they be delivered as aid to the struggling Finnish airforce before the transfer was cancelled. I am interested in more information about this aircraft. It has the eight gun wing, but there looks to be a subtle difference to the engine cowling that I can't see on Hawker Mk I's or II's. Could it be that it's ex-Portuguese airforce? Whatever it is, the restoration and flying is marvellous.
