MiG-3 for the Finnish Air Force

An interesting bar in the biography of not the most unambiguous fighter Mikoyan and Gurevich.

In December, 1942, Finland received an agreement from Germany for the sale of Bf.109G-2 fighter jets in the number of 30 units, but Germany’s offer was not limited to this. A major engineer, Harry 2, who was sent to Berlin, reported to the headquarters of the Finnish Air Force that Germany could also offer a batch of 22 MiG-3 fighters in flying condition. The headquarters of the Air Force responded in the spirit that, they say, we are certainly “for”, but I would like to receive MiGs for free. It seems that the Finns still do not have a repair base for MiGs, but fighters could be used as long as they flew.

The Germans, however, did not appreciate the “generous” offer of the Finnish colleagues. Already December 7, the Finns received a message that the Germans are ready to transfer from 15 to 22 MiGs at the price of 30 thousand Reichsmarks (or 591 thousand Finnish marks) for each. In general, it was quite a humane price. For comparison, the Fokker D.XXI IV series (with the Wasp engine), which was called the fighter rather out of habit, cost 640 thousand Finnish marks, SB - 1,2 million, and Pe-2 - 2,5 million. New Messerschmitt cost the Finnish treasury 4 million marks (second-hand - at 400 thousand. Cheaper). The commander of the Finnish Air Force once again tried to achieve the receipt of MiGs "for free", but December 14 again received the answer that MiGs cost 30 thousand PM and not less pfening.

As a result, December Finns 22 signed a contract for the supply of 22 MiGs for a total amount of 660000 thousand RM (13 million Finnish marks). However, after that, the Germans seemed to have forgotten about the signed contract. February 18 Lundqvist through Harry tried to find out whether the Germans will supply MiGs or not. The request was again repeated on March 11, and the Finns had already demanded that they show them the planes and let them test them.

The check in general explained why the Germans are pulling with the transfer of aircraft. MiGs as a whole were almost new, each of them averaged from 50 to 55 hours. However, the planes were packed in boxes and partially damaged. In addition, they lacked weapons and radio stations. However, 20 March, after the inspection, Lundqvist said that the Finnish side is ready to accept the MiGs. For the acceptance and overflight of the aircraft, Captain P.E. Sovelius, but 13 of May from Harry received a message that all MiGs, apparently, were destroyed during the air attack, and therefore the contract was canceled.

A note from Lundquist Mannerheim proposing to purchase an 22 MiG-3 to reinforce the 5 air regiment. Mannerheim resolution "In principle, agree."

Comments

[fan1945]

And what's so special about it? Probably captured in the western districts in the early days of the war.
Then it was destroyed. And it was necessary, and it was not necessary. Weapons and radio stations probably did not have time to deliver or lost ...

[sv68]

so it was and will be-in Europe you need to keep your eyes open or you for your same money will still be loved in full.

[igordok]

Almost all the Finnish Armed Forces equipment in the 40-s, and even later - trophy. And they fought.

[svp67]

Quote: igordok

Almost all the Finnish Armed Forces equipment in the 40s, and even later - captured.

Many, not all ... Finland quite regularly made purchases in other countries, in America and Sweden, for example.

[Argon]

Before the start of the war, when Finland acted as a satellite of Germany, all contracts with England and the United States were canceled, including for the spare parts for the already delivered vehicles. And although the Finns did not have their own aircraft industry, they managed to establish aircraft repairs at a very high level, including especially difficult work with the involvement of foreign companies (in particular with the Dutch Fokker). Therefore, the Finns flew everything. As for the article, everything fits into the framework - "We heard the bell but we don't know where it is" - the reasoning about the evaluation of the supplied machines is especially striking. the system of a country waging total war on its territory (and Germany of that period certainly was such) simply does not exist. It is foolish to set prices in Reichsmarks - inflation is terrible. Mutual settlements between the allies were usually made by barter of raw materials or other resources (the exception is "Lend-Lease" which however, it confirms the rule) .In the described situation with MiGs, most likely there were logistical problems, possibly a German We wanted to have a trophy unit in our Air Force, or they were destined for the other allies of the Reich, until they were finally bombed out, but it's definitely not about monetary equivalents.

[svp67]

Quote: Argon

Before the war, with Finland acting as a satellite of Germany, all contracts with England and the United States were canceled, including for spare parts

Nevertheless, the Brewster F2A Buffalo managed to enter them. Since February 1940, 44 aircraft were delivered. The brake hook and hook for the catapult were dismantled, the engine was replaced with the export version of the R-1820-G5 (950 hp), the telescopic sight was replaced with a ring one. The armament was supplemented with 2 12,7 mm machine guns in the wing (400 rounds of ammunition per barrel), and by 1943, the remaining 7,62 mm synchronous machine gun was replaced with a 12,7 mm synchronous machine gun. At least 6 cars during the repairs received Soviet captured M-63 engines.

[Center]

[Kazanec]

The Germans returned the grandmothers to the Finns, or not? :)

[Prager]

I think the Germans threw the Finns at the grandmothers like that student. And then the Fritz at the fronts went continuous failures and there was no time to conduct a gesheft with the northern allies.

[colonel manuch]

Due to the reserves of the Red Army left (read abandoned) in the western regions of the USSR, this and all kinds of equipment, tanks, guns, planes, the Germans used on the fronts of the Great Patriotic War in the flesh until the middle, or even (according to some information) of the end of 1943. A lot of equipment went to the whole and requiring minor repairs, this was officially confirmed by Soviet and Russian military historians. The entire Wehrmacht regiments in different parts of the Soviet-German front were equipped with our tanks and artillery systems, even during the preparation of the Battle of Kursk and after it. Germany sold and transferred part of the captured trophies to his vassals in the coalition, there are many facts and this is not news.

[Performance]

Due to the reserves of the Red Army left (read abandoned) in the western regions of the USSR - this is all kinds of equipment, tanks, guns, aircraft

Now the Germans, then the Poles, then the Finns. Over the years, nothing has changed ... Now, Bandera’s arms have helped!

[Spitfire]

"At least 6 vehicles received captured Soviet M-63 engines during repairs."


The same story with the Finns happened with the French Moran MS-406, on which they put the captured motor M-105P. The characteristics of the aircraft improved - the engine was more powerful, and the alteration was minimal, since it was the development of a line of engines leading from the Spanish-Suiza.

[Ze Kot]

Well, yes, what good is to disappear ...

And in the Red Army, captured equipment was used ...