Wartime Aircraft
of the Finnish Air Force

Messerschmidt Bf109G

by Jason Long


Thirty Bf 109G-2 were delivered in 2 batches on 13 March 43 and 10 May 43. Losses were replaced through 1 June 44 for a total of 48 G-2s delivered. 30 Bf 109G-6s were delivered by 1 May 44.

Additional aircraft were delivered once the Soviet offensive against Finland kicked off on 9 June 44. 41 were delivered in June, 19 in July and 24 in August, but three were lost en route. Deliveries totaled 111 G-6s and 3 G-8s.

LeLv 34 was organized to fly the new fighters and combat operations commenced 24 March when a Pe-2 was shot down over the Gulf of Finland. 100 victories was reached on 4 October for the loss of 4 Messers in air combat and 1 to antiaircraft fire. HLeLv 30 had no more than 4 Messers for operations over the Gulf As the G-6s arrived the G-2s were transferred to HLeLv 24 which converted from the Brewster F2A-1 (Buffalo). HLeLv 28 received its first Messers on I July 44. Total claims were 663 for 27 lost in aerial combat, an exchange ratio of 25 to 1! 102 Messers survived the war.

More WWII Aircraft of the Finnish Air Force

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