This article includes a list of references, related reading, or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations .(June 2016) |
Flying Regiment 2, Finnish Air Force | |
---|---|
Country | Finland |
Branch | Finnish Air Force |
Role | reconnaissance and ground attack |
Engagements | Winter War, Continuation War, Lapland War |
Flying Regiment 2 (Finnish : Lentorykmentti 2 or LentoR 2, renamed on May 5, 1942 into LeR 2) was fighter regiment of the Finnish Air Force during World War II.
The equipment consisted among others of Fokker D.XXIs, Morane-Saulnier MS.406s, Brewster Buffaloes, Messerschmitt Bf 109Gs, Bristol Bulldog Mk.IVs, Fiat G.50s, Hawker Hurricane Mk.Is, Gloster Gladiator Mk.IIs, Polikarpov I-153s, Mörkö-Moranes, Fokker C.Xs, and Westland Lysander Mk.Is.
The Brewster F2A Buffalo is an American fighter aircraft which saw service early in World War II. Designed and built by the Brewster Aeronautical Corporation, it was one of the first U.S. monoplanes with an arrestor hook and other modifications for aircraft carriers. The Buffalo won a competition against the Grumman F4F Wildcat in 1939 to become the U.S. Navy's first monoplane fighter aircraft. Although superior to the Grumman F3F biplane it replaced, and the early F4Fs, the Buffalo was largely obsolete when the United States entered the war, being unstable and overweight, especially when compared to the Japanese Mitsubishi A6M Zero.
Eino Luukkanen was a Finnish fighter ace in World War II. He scored 56 confirmed victories, becoming Finland's third highest ranking ace. He flew the Fokker D-21, Brewster B-239 Buffalo, and Bf 109G.
Flying Regiment 4 was a bomber aircraft regiment of the Finnish Air Force. The regiment was formed on 1 January 1938 and was active during the Winter War, the Continuation War, and the Lapland War. During the Winter War, the unit flew 423 war missions, of which 22 were strategic and photo reconnaissance flights with its Bristol Blenheim Mk.Is. 18 aircraft and 21 crew members were lost.
No. 10 Squadron was a divebomber squadron of the Finnish Air Force in World War II. The squadron was part of Flying Regiment 1.
No. 12 Squadron, renamed No. 12 Reconnaissance Squadron was a reconnaissance squadron of the Finnish Air Force during World War II. The squadron was part of Flying Regiment 1.
No. 14 Squadron, later renamed No. 14 Reconnaissance Squadron, was a reconnaissance squadron of the Finnish Air Force during World War II. The squadron was part of Flying Regiment 1 during the Winter War and Flying Regiment 5 during the Continuation War.
No. 16 Squadron, renamed No. 16 Reconnaissance Squadron was a reconnaissance squadron of the Finnish Air Force during World War II. The squadron was part of Flying Regiment 1 during the Winter War and Flying Regiment 2 during the Continuation War.
No. 22 Squadron was a fighter squadron of the Finnish Air Force during World War II. The squadron was part of Flying Regiment 2. It was to be equipped with new Brewster Buffaloes and Hawker Hurricane Is, but only the first Flight saw action during the war. After the Winter War, the squadron was attached to the new Flying Regiment 3 and renamed as No. 32 Squadron.
No. 24 Squadron, renamed No. 24 Fighter Squadron was a fighter squadron of the Finnish Air Force during World War II. The squadron was part of Flying Regiment 2.
No. 26 Squadron, renamed No. 26 Fighter Squadron was a fighter squadron of the Finnish Air Force during World War II. The squadron was part of Flying Regiment 2 during the Winter War and Flying Regiment 3 during the Continuation War.
No. 28 Squadron, renamed No. 28 Fighter Squadron was a fighter squadron of the Finnish Air Force during World War II. The squadron was part of Flying Regiment 2.
No. 44 Squadron, renamed No. 44 Bomber Squadron, was a bomber squadron of the Finnish Air Force during World War II. The squadron was part of Flying Regiment 4.
No. 46 Squadron, renamed No. 46 Bomber Squadron was a bomber squadron of the Finnish Air Force during World War II. The squadron was part of Flying Regiment 4.
No. 30 Squadron, renamed No. 30 Fighter Squadron was a fighter squadron of the Finnish Air Force during World War II, which had been formed from the disbanded No. 10 Squadron. The No. 30 Sqn was part of Flying Regiment 5.
No. 32 Squadron, renamed No. 32 Fighter Squadron was a fighter squadron of the Finnish Air Force during World War II. The squadron was part of Flying Regiment 1. The squadron was formed from the disbanded No. 22 Squadron.
No. 34 Squadron, renamed No. 34 Fighter Squadron was a fighter squadron of the Finnish Air Force during World War II. The squadron was part of Flying Regiment 3.
Flying Regiment 1 was a mixed regiment, incorporating both fighter, reconnaissance and communication squadrons, of the Finnish Air Force during World War II. The unit was disbanded in June 1941, but reformed from the Supplement Flying Regiment on May 3, 1942.
Flying Regiment 3 was a fighter aircraft regiment of the Finnish Air Force. The regiment took part in the Continuation War and the Lapland War.
Flying Regiment 5 was a mixed fighter and bomber aircraft regiment of the Finnish Air Force during World War II. The regiment took part in the Continuation War and the Lapland War. The regiment was formed around the No. 6 Sqn, which previously had been subordinated the Finnish Navy HQ, and tasked with anti-submarine and maritime patrols. The No. 30 Sqn was a fighter squadron.
Erik Edward Lyly was a Finnish fighter pilot and ace in the Continuation War. He flew in the LeLv 24 and LeLv 34, the most successful fighter squadrons of the Finnish Air Force, often flying as a wingman for the most proficient Finnish ace Air Sergeant Master Ilmari Juutilainen. He achieved a total of 8 air victories during the wars. His highest rank during the war was Sergeant Master.