Finnish Bomber Colours 1939-1945 Book Review

By David L. Veres

Review

The redoubtable team of Kari Stenman and Karolina Holda returns with Finnish Bomber Colours 1939-1945 from MMP Books – available in North America from Casemate.

The seminal study surveys every Finnish bomber, attack, and close-support type used during World War II – including captured Soviet equipment:

• Fokker C.X
• Bristol Blenheim I, I & IV
• Ilyushin DB-3M & DB-3F
• Douglas DC-2
• Westland Lysander I
• Tupolev SB
• Dornier Do 17 Z
• Petlyakov Pe-2 & Pe-3
• Junkers Ju 88 A

Coverage of each broadly divides into two parts. The first chronicles use, where apt, in the "Winter", "Continuation", and "Lapland" conflicts. And the second recaps camouflage & markings with selected aircraft examples.

The lavishly illustrated chapters include B&W and color photos – many previously unpublished – and extended captions. Tables summarize individual aircraft serials, service, and fates. And detailed comments and reference shots accompany artwork.

Speaking of which: Karolina Holda's outstanding color plates remain among of the finest, most meticulous anywhere. Checking the accuracy of her work against reference photos, I clearly see why she shares authorship with the world-renown Stenman.

Five appendices conclude contents. Three recap camouflage & markings – paints, practices, and patterns, notably Finland's distinctive Sotamaalaus ["Warpaint"]. Check the second for Federal Standard matches to Finnish colors. A fourth lists Mannerheim Cross holders with citations. And the fifth – a table – chronicles "Regiment missions", 1942-1944.

This terrific tome deserves inclusion in every library of Eastern Front air warfare. It – and MMP's companion volumes on Finnish fighters – probably offer English-language readers the finest study, to date, of WWII Finnish warplanes. Get them all.

Rabidly recommended!

With thanks to Casemate for the review copy.