Entering service with the Dutch air force from early 1938, the aircraft was also built under license in Denmark and Finland. Production was also scheduled to commence in Spain too but Nationalist forces overran the factory before this commenced. The Dutch D.XXIs saw less than a week of action following the German invasion of the west on 10 May 1940, with many of the country's 28 fighters being destroyed on the ground. However, those that survived the initial onslaught inflicted losses on the Luftwaffe, 15 pilots sharing in the destruction of 14 German aircraft (fighters, bombers and transports). By then, however, the D.XXI had found everlasting fame in Finland during the Winter War of 1939-40. Proving itself a real thorn in the side of the Soviets, the fighter, operating in primitive conditions and against vastly superior numbers, Finnish D.XXIs racked up an incredible score against the Red Air Force, and in particular its bomber units. No fewer than ten pilots became aces during this brief, but bloody, campaign, with a similar number claiming four victories and subsequently 'making ace' in later types. The sturdy D.XXI was highly rated by the leading Finnish pilots of the time, boasting a good rate of climb and the ability to break off combat when required thanks to its high speed in a dive. The D.XXI also has the distinction of producing the first 'ace in a single mission' in World War 2, when then 1Lt Jorma Sarvanto shot down six Ilyushin DB-3 bombers on 6 January 1940. After spending a year providing home defence and flying coastal patrols during the early stages of the Continuation War in 1941, all surviving Finnish Fokker D.XXIs were relegated to the reconnaissance role, which they performed through to the end of hostilities in September 1944.

Fokker D.XXI Aces of World War 2 (Aircraft of the Aces, 112)

History

Stenman, Kari

Jong, Peter de

Europe

Osprey_Publishing

French World War II fighter design was cut short by the fall of France, but the MS.406 also saw service in Vichy French colonies and Finland.
The MS.406 was an important aircraft not only because it was built in larger numbers than any other French fighter of the period, but also because it was the first modern fighter in the Armée de l'Air inventory. Although comparable to the British Hurricane and early models of the German Bf 109, it was outclassed when flown against the more powerful, and faster, Bf 109E. With little or no protection (no armour or self-sealing tanks), the MS.406 sustained heavy losses during the Battle of France. Too lightly armed, and fitted with unreliable weaponry, the French fighter struggled to down German bombers. It therefore comes as no surprise that only a dozen French pilots became fully fledged aces on the type during this period, despite the aircraft being present in significant numbers. However, a score of pilots, who bagged their very first kills at the controls of the MS.406, fought on after the fall of France, flying Dewoitine D.520s, Spitfires and even Soviet Yak-3s to attain ace status against both Allied and Axis opponents. A little known fact is that although the MS.406 was phased out of service in Vichy France and North Africa after the armistice was signed with Germany in June 1940, it soldiered on in French colonies that remained under the control of the Vichy government. The MS.406 was pitted against Japanese and Thai forces in French Indo-China (late 1940), Commonwealth air forces in Syria (May-June 1941) and, finally, the Fleet Air Arm in Madagascar (May 1942). The most successful user of the MS.406 in terms of aerial victories scored was Finland, whose air force initially received 30 examples in February 1940 that soon saw action during the last weeks in the "Winter War". Further batches of captured ex-French MS.406s were bought by the Finns from Germany, raising their force to 87 aircraft in total. The "Continuation War," commencing with the German attack on the Soviet Union, saw ten aces emerge during the first six months of the fighting. The MS.406 was then more than a match for Soviet I-16 and I-153 fighters, and had no problems chasing down Tupolev SB and Ilyushin DB-3 bombers. From 1942 the victory rate of Finnish MS.406 pilots slowed due to a lack of enemy opposition during this period and the worn-out engine-mounted 20 mm cannon fitted to the fighters. The introduction of new Soviet types like the LaGG-3, Yak-1 and Lend-Lease Hurricane and Tomahawk fighters also completely outclassed the MS.406, resulting in the French fighters' removal from the frontline.

Morane-Saulnier MS.406 Aces (Aircraft of the Aces, 121)

Ehrengardt, Christian-Jacques

Finland's premier fighter squadron during World War 2, Lentolaivue 24 (Flying Squadron 24) first saw action during the bloody Winter War of 1939-40, when the Soviet Red Army launched a surprise attack on the small Scandinavian country - the squadron enjoyed great success against numerically superior opposition. LLv 24 was once again in the thick of the action following the outbreak of the Continuation War in June 1941. Easily the air force's most successful fighter unit, LLv 24 claimed 877 kills, and its pilots won five direct and two indirect Mannerheim Crosses (Finland¹s highest military award) out of a total of 19 presented to all Finnish soldiers. Most top aces also scored the bulk of their kills flying with this unit.

Lentolaivue 24 (Osprey Aviation Elite 4)

Keskinnen, Kalevi

The Curtiss P-36 began its life in the US where it was considered a revolution in performance design in comparison to other US fighters. Its pilots achieved some of the first American victories of the war and many went on to become aces. One P-36 pilot, Frances Gabreski, became the leading US ace in the European Theater. Yet by the time of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor the P-40 was increasingly supplanting the P-36, which the US then exported to France under the guise of the Hawk 75. Flown by the French, captured by the Germans, sold to the Finns, transferred to India and Africa, and even incorporated into the RAF, the Hawk 75 saw service in every theater of operations and in a variety of combat environments. This book depicts the fascinating life of an aircraft that fought on both sides in the war, including the oft-overlooked Vichy French Air Force, with color artwork and photographs illustrating just how many national P-36 variants there were. First hand accounts recreate many of the conflicts that gave rise to over 60 pilots from several nations who became aces flying P-36 variants. This volume completes the Osprey Aircraft of the Aces coverage of the Curtiss Hawk family.

P-36 Hawk Aces of World War 2 (Aircraft of the Aces, 86)

Thomas, Andrew

Persyn, Lionel

Military

Entering service with the US Navy as a carrier-borne fighter, the Brewster F2A, later named Buffalo by the British and simply the Brewster by the Finns, saw relatively little service with its own nation. Indeed, it was to see action on just one occasion in US colors: the engagement off Midway by USMC F2As saw a number of Japanese carrier aircraft shot down, including two by future ace Col Charles M Kunz. 
The F2A was also ordered for the RAF in 1939, and although it soon became apparent that the type was not suitable for use against the mighty Luftwaffe over Western Europe, the Buffalo was seen as a suitable type for use in the Far East. It was sent en-masse to equip new squadrons of the RAF, RAAF and RNZAF formed for the defence of Malaya and Singapore. 
Despite the many inadequacies exposed after the Japenese invasion, the Commonwealth units fought gallantly against the odds and with poor logistical backup and ultimately made many claims. Indeed no fewer than nine pilots either became aces on the type or increased their scores to achieve acedom, and a further fifteen aces flew them in action. Moreover, the leading Buffalo ace went on to become the most successful Commonwealth pilot against the Japanese of the entire war. 
It was in Finland, however, where the Brewster found undying fame and proved itself a real thorn in the side of the Soviets. Operating in primitive conditions and against superior numbers, Finnish Brewster 239 pilots racked up an incredible score against the Red Air Force. Overall, some 37 Finnish pilots became aces when flying the Brewster 239. The tubby Brewster was very much the fighter of choice for the leading Finnish pilots until the advent of large numbers of Messerschmitt Bf 109s in 1943.

Brewster F2A Buffalo Aces of World War 2 (Aircraft of the Aces, 91)

This superb illustrated series book charts the rise and fall of the German Air Force from 1939 to 1945. Each volume makes use of over a hundred rare photographs, many of them taken by Luftwaffe personnel, to bring history to life and record both the men and the aircraft they flew. This title explores the German air war on the Northern Front. The Fins were active allies of the Germans in their war against the Soviets and allowed the Luftwaffe considerable freedom in its operations over Russia. Although conditions in the north were harsh, the Luftwaffe quickly adapted to the region and carried out a series of key operations over Russia between 1941 and 1944. The Luftwaffe over Finland presents the men and the aircraft used in this campaign, mostly from Luftflotte 1 and Luftflotte 5. The outstanding collection of photographs includes almost every type the Luftwaffe flew from Finland – from Ju 87 dive bombers and Focke Wulf Fw 190 fighters to coastal patrol and transport units – as well as some of the pilots.

Luftwaffe Over Finland (Luftwaffe at War)

Keshinen

Pen and Sword Aviation

This brilliant new book depicts the Germans' use of aircraft in Finland and Norway to maintain their campaign against the Soviet Union. The Fins were active allies of the Germans in their war against the Soviets and allowed the Luftwaffe considerable freedom in its operations over Russia. Although conditions in the north were harsh, the Luftwaffe quickly adapted to the region and carried out a series of key operations over Russia between 1941 and 1944. The Luftwaffe over Finland presents the men and the aircraft used in this campaign, mostly from Luftflotte 1 and Luftflotte 5. Their fighter units flew Messerschmitt Bf 109s and Focke Wulf Fw 190s and the bomber units were equipped with Junkers Ju 87 dive bombers and Heinkel He 111s. Close-range reconnaissance units flew Henschel Hs 126s, Messerschmitt Bf 109s and Focke Wulf Fw 189s, while the long-range units had Junkers Ju 88s and 188s, Messerschmitt Bf 109s, and Dornier Do 215s. In addition, coastal patrol units and transport units were also involved in this critical part of World War II.

Luftwaffe over Finland (Luftwaffe at War Series, 18)

Keskinen, Kalevi

Greenhill Books/Lionel Leventhal

Always outnumbered by their Soviet counterparts, the small band of Finnish fighter pilots who defended their Scandinavian homeland from the 'communist hordes' in three separate wars between 1939 and 1945 amassed scores only bettered by the Luftwaffe's Jagdflieger. Initially equipped with a motley collection of biplane and monoplane fighters garnered from sources across the globe, the Finnish Air Force was thrust into combat in November 1939. Given little chance against the massive Soviet force, the Finnish fighter pilots confounded the sceptics and decimated the attacking fighter and bomber formations, prompting the Russians to call a halt in March 1940. This scenario was repeated in 1941, and by 1943 the Finns had become uneasy allies with the Germans. Complete with first-hand accounts and detailed colour illustrations, this book profiles aces like Juutilainen and Wind, who proved unbeatable in the final months of conflict.

Finnish Aces of World War 2 (Osprey Aircraft of the Aces No 23) (Aircraft of the Aces, 23)

The next book in the Rainbow Series covers Finnish Fighters used during WWII. Camouflage and markings of the fighters obtained from France, USA, Germany, UK and the USSR are described in unparalleled detail by the well-known Finnish author Kari Stenman. Many unpublished photos, and color profiles. Vol. 1 covers: Bristol Bulldog Fokker D XXI Gloster Gladiator FIAT G 50 Morane Saulnier MS 406 including Mörkö-Morane Brewster Model 239

Finnish Fighter Colours 1939-1945. Volume 1 (White Series)

Holda, Karolina

MMPBooks

Second volume covers Finnish Fighters used during WWII. Camouflage and markings of the fighters obtained from France, USA, Germany, UK and the USSR are described in unparalleled detail by the well-known Finnish author Kari Stenman. Many unpublished photos, and color profiles. Vol. 2 covers: Hawker Hurricane I &amp; II Caudron CR 714 Curtiss Hawk 75A Messerschmitt Bf 109 G VL Myrsky I-153 I-16 LaGG-3 Curtiss P-40M Warhawk

Finnish Fighter Colours 1939-1945. Volume 2 (White Series)

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