Wartime Aircraft
of the Finnish Air Force

Ilyushin DB-3M and IL-4

by Jason Long


The Finns salvaged five DB-3Ms during the Winter War and assigned them to LeLv 46. One of these was in Germany when the Continuation War began. Two were lost to accidents within days of war breaking out. The survivors were supplemented by six purchased from Germany and arrived on September 12th. Most of these were delivered to LeLv 48 where they were often used for reconnaissance work. Only 4 survived when all remaining aircraft were turned over to PLeLv 45 in late 1944 and then to PLeLv 43 in February 1945.

The Finns purchased four Il-4s in October 1942 from German war booty stocks, but one crashed on the delivery flight. The others didn't finish overhaul until Summer '43. They were initially delivered to LeLv 48, but were transferred to LeLv 46 on 15 November. One crashed on June 17th 1944 and the two survivors were transferred to PLeLv 45 on December 4th of that year. One made a forced landing on 3 January 1945 and the last was withdrawn from service the following month.

More WWII Aircraft of the Finnish Air Force

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