This starts a new series from Kari Stenman Publishing that covers the history of the Finnish Air Force, probably one of the best recorded service histories around.  What is also new about this series is that it is in a larger format and hardbound. This has allowed the author to use larger photographs, and to publish in dual languages; Finnish and English. The English translation is fairly well done and though you'll run across a few interesting uses of syntax, it is quite readable and holds your attention.

Starting off with a brief on WWI in the area, it then moves on to cover early Finnish aviators (at the time trained by the Germans) and then to a brief introduction to the White Army as well as Red aviation during the Finnish war of independence in 1918.

The next section covers the organization and reorganization of the aviation branch as it comes to terms with having at first a small, then larger aviation section. Things finally stabilize with the purchase of aircraft to carry the country into the middle of the 1920s.

Throughout this all, the book covers the acquisition of equipment; first from Sweden, then Germany and finally from France. The Finns also license built several aircraft types and operated Russian aircraft that were left behind after the war of independence.

What really makes this book a treasure are the hundreds of period photographs. These are superbly done and presented to us in a large format that really enhances their impact. So clear are the photos that one could easily enlarge them several times what is shown on the pages without losing detail.

This is all followed by appendices on units and commanders, dislocations, accidents, camouflage & markings, registration markings and individual aircraft histories. Though this last item is only in Finnish, it is easy enough to decipher. The one thing that could be added would be some color profiles, but even without them, the book is a real treasure.

The final result is a truly outstanding book on the birth of an air arm and a book that I can offer my highest recommendation.

June 2005

Review book courtesy of  Kari Stenman Publishing, where you can order your copy of this and several other superb books on the Finnish AF.

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