Eight Soviet I-153s had landed behind Finnish lines during the Winter War and another 3 were captured during the initial stages of the advance to the Svir. These were placed into service with the 3rd flight of LeLv 6 as cover for that unit's maritime patrol missions. It became second flight of LeLv 30 on 16 November 1942. Prior to that it claimed the destruction of four surface ships and 5 aircraft while losing 4 I-153s, but only two of these were in combat.

In November 1942 the Finns purchased another 11 captured by the Germans and these equipped the first flight of LeLv 30 in March-April '43. LeLv 30 specialized in reconnaissance. In February-March '44 both flights transferred their aircraft to the third flight and later some were received by TLeLv 16 in late June of 1944. LeLv 30 lost 7 I-153s, but only one in aerial combat. Eight survived the 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