Bristol Blenheim

Eighteen British Bristol Blenheim Mk Is were delivered mid-38, 12 Mk IV delivered Jan. 17 , 1940, and 12 Mk I delivered Feb. 26", 1940. Finnish production of 15 Mk IIs was delayed by the Winter War and deliveries, didn't commence until 15 June, 1941 and were finished in 7 months. 30 more Mk IIs were delivered between July and November 43. 10 Mk IVs were delivered by April 15 , 1944 with major components bought from Germany from captured Yugoslav stocks. LeLv 44 and LeLv 46 were the initial operators of the Blenheim I. LeLv 46 gave its Blen Is to LeLv 44 when it got the new Blen IVs. LeLv 42 was formed to fly the British- supplied Blen Is from February 40. Seven were shot down and four lost in accidents during the Winter War.

In June '41 LeLv 42 had nine Blens, LeLv 44 had eight, and LeLv 46 had only three, the latter was deactivated shortly afterwards. Only seven Blens were operational at year's end despite deliveries of 15 new aircraft. LeLv 44 converted to the Ju 88A-4 Feb. 20th 1943. LeLv 48 re-equipped with new Blens on Nov, 15th, 1943. When the Soviet offensive began only 29 Blens were available. 33 Blens were lost on operations during its career.

Bristol Bulldog

The Finns acquired 17 Bulldog IVAs pre-war. 10 were assigned to LeLv 26 when the Soviets invaded in 1939. Replaced by G.50s and Gladiators on Feb. 2, 1940. Three Bulldog IIAs donated by Sweden on 15 December and used as trainers, but one was only used for spare parts. Used as trainers and hacks after phase out and one survived the Continuation War. Claimed two I-16s and five SB-2s for the loss of one Bulldog during the Winter War.

More WWII Aircraft of the Finnish Air Force

Brewster B-239 (Buffalo)
Bristol Blenheim and Bulldog
Curtis H-75A Hawk
Dornier Do17Z and Do22K
Fiat G.50
Fokker C.Ve and D.XXI
Gloster Gauntlet and Gladiator
Hawker Hurricane I
Ilyushin DB-3M and IL-4
Junkers Ju88A
Messerschmidt Bf109G
Morane-Saulnier MS406/410
Polikarpov I-153
Tupolev SB-2
VL Myrsky II
Europa Reinforcement/Replacement Charts