Interview with Finnish Top Ace Ilmari Juutilainen 94 victories

[the_somme]

Came across this while reading about the winter war, thought it was quite interesting :)

http://www.sci.fi/~fta/finace01.htm


Edit: It's 3 pages, in case someone didn't notice the link to the following page.

[FOZ_1983]

an excellent read, thoroughly enjoyed it :D

to think his 94 victories could be infact many more, but he gave his shared kills up to the younger pilots!!

Seems like a fairly calm individual, the kind of guy you would like to fly with.

[FOZ_1983]

It was so much better than the Fokker that it was in another category. If we had had Brewsters during the Winter War, the Russians would have been unable to fly over Finland. It was also a "gentleman's traveling plane", for it had a roomy cockpit and room in the fuselage, as we used to say, for a poker gang. We unofficially transported mechanics, spare parts, oil canisters etc. in our Brewsters. Once, though two pilots went a little too far - a flight sergeant was flying, and in the fuselage was a second lieutenant, his friend, his dog and a lot of baggage. Upon landing the plane went off the runway and the suitcase came out. Both pilots were punished. Humorously, the lieutenant's sentence started with:"As the commander of the crew of a single-seat fighter.."





absolutely brilliant!!! hahaha, that made me chuckle.

[mattmanB182]

Yes that is a very good read! I havent finished yet though.

Question: Is that Brewster the same one that was called the "Buffalo" in the states? I cant believe you could actually get kills with that thing.

[FOZ_1983]

yup thats the same aircraft :D

[mattmanB182]

yup thats the same aircraft :D

WOW! I just can't think of anything else to say.

[Swagger7]

Yeah, the Brewster kinda sucked if you look at its statistics, but the Finns manage to sweep the skies with them. One Finnish Buffalo even holds the record of the most kills per individual airplane, 40 I believe.

Edit: Now I want a Finnish Buffalo in DLC!

[Soviet Ace]

Yes that is a very good read! I havent finished yet though.

Question: Is that Brewster the same one that was called the "Buffalo" in the states? I cant believe you could actually get kills with that thing.

Actually, in the Pacific. The Buffalo did fairly well against the earlier Japanese planes such as the A5M, and others. But the Zero just tore into them as usual, and so the Buffalo was no longer used as a main stream fighter, except. The Marines actually used them at Midway Island, and even though they were all shot down. They did have the success of downing ten or so Zeros before they were all shot down.

Yeah, the Brewster kinda sucked if you look at its statistics, but the Finns manage to sweep the skies with them. One Finnish Buffalo even holds the record of the most kills per individual airplane, 40 I believe.

Edit: Now I want a Finnish Buffalo in DLC!

Well this, yes your right. Though the Buffalo was heavier than the LaGG-3 (which was the main Russian fighter during the Winter War), the Buffalo could almost out perform the LaGG-3 because of its low powered engine, and the frame being of, how could I put this? Less than reasonable structure (there was a reason they were called the laminated coffins.) they suffered greatly against the Buffalo. It wasn't until the Yak-1 was introduced into the conflict, that the Buffalo's suffered heavy losses and by that time, the war had already been successful on the ground for Russian troops.

And the only difference between a Finnish Buffalo and an American Buffalo, is I believe the engine? Also I think some of the armaments as well?

[Swagger7]

Actually, in the Pacific. The Buffalo did fairly well against the earlier Japanese planes such as the A5M, and others. But the Zero just tore into them as usual, and so the Buffalo was no longer used as a main stream fighter, except. The Marines actually used them at Midway Island, and even though they were all shot down. They did have the success of downing ten or so Zeros before they were all shot down.



Well this, yes your right. Though the Buffalo was heavier than the LaGG-3 (which was the main Russian fighter during the Winter War), the Buffalo could almost out perform the LaGG-3 because of its low powered engine, and the frame being of, how could I put this? Less than reasonable structure (there was a reason they were called the laminated coffins.) they suffered greatly against the Buffalo. It wasn't until the Yak-1 was introduced into the conflict, that the Buffalo's suffered heavy losses and by that time, the war had already been successful on the ground for Russian troops.

And the only difference between a Finnish Buffalo and an American Buffalo, is I believe the engine? Also I think some of the armaments as well?

Actually I just meant a Buffalo in Finnish markings. They were pretty much the same airplane. And I'm pretty sure that the only engagement of Buffaloes vs the Japanese (at least in American hands) was the one at Midway you talked about. So I'm not sure where they could have shot down older Japanese planes, unless someone we exported them to used them against the Japanese?

[FOZ_1983]

The buffalo got about quite a bit the dirty little tart haha

finland used them to great sucess against the dirty ruski's :P americans used them at midway (not through choice i dont think) the RAF had them in asia and the dutch used the in the easit indies.

they were outclassed though by the zero. That plane was a beast!!! just very easy to go down if taking hits

[mattmanB182]

Wonder what would have happened if a Zero got into the crosshairs of a BF109k-4.?:eek:


Here is a Wiki on the Buffalo
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brewster_Buffalo

[FOZ_1983]

Wonder what would have happened if a Zero got into the crosshairs of a BF109k-4.?:eek:


Here is a Wiki on the Buffalo
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brewster_Buffalo


Whats the scenario?


head on at the same height? high or low? Does one have height over the over and on his 6?

Whatever the scenario...... i would have to take the zero. It lacks armour but has sufficient guns and can manouvre better than the 109K.

Like i said though..... all depends on the scenario :D

would be a good fight to see.

[Soviet Ace]

Actually I just meant a Buffalo in Finnish markings. They were pretty much the same airplane. And I'm pretty sure that the only engagement of Buffaloes vs the Japanese (at least in American hands) was the one at Midway you talked about. So I'm not sure where they could have shot down older Japanese planes, unless someone we exported them to used them against the Japanese?

Like FOZ said, the RAF used them in Asia, as well as the Dutch. And that is where they went up against some A5Ms. Not for long, but they did use them briefly against them.

The buffalo got about quite a bit the dirty little tart haha

finland used them to great sucess against the dirty ruski's :P americans used them at midway (not through choice i dont think) the RAF had them in asia and the dutch used the in the easit indies.

they were outclassed though by the zero. That plane was a beast!!! just very easy to go down if taking hits

Well all they had at Midway were Buffalos I believe, and like all Marines. They prefer to use the old technology; and somehow they get a better performance out of them.

Whats the scenario?


head on at the same height? high or low? Does one have height over the over and on his 6?

Whatever the scenario...... i would have to take the zero. It lacks armour but has sufficient guns and can manouvre better than the 109K.

Like i said though..... all depends on the scenario :D

would be a good fight to see.

It also depends on the which Zero your talking about? If your talking about the A6M2 Zero, it would probably have a hard time working against the K4. And if you talking about the M3, you'd also have trouble if you were flying the M3. The M5, is probably the only one capable of doing some hurt on the K4. But probably the best Japanese plane to go against a K4 would be the Ki-61 Tony or the Ki-100 (which is a radial version of the Ki-61 Tony).

And it really does depend on altitude. At low to medium altitude, the Zero or Ki-61/100 would probably own the 109K4, but at higher altitudes the K4 might have a better shot. But actually, the Ki-100 might give the K4 a run for its money since it could match a 109F series in altitude. At least on paper it seems like it could.

[FOZ_1983]

ok lets make it simple for everyone......

two airfields 20 miles apart. At the exact same time from each airfield two fighters take off. One from each.

Airfield A - A6M2 zero fighter
Airfield B - BF109E

Both models are from 1940.

who would win?



you decide.




I think it would be close.

[mattmanB182]

ok lets make it simple for everyone......

two airfields 20 miles apart. At the exact same time from each airfield two fighters take off. One from each.

Airfield A - A6M2 zero fighter
Airfield B - BF109E

Both models are from 1940.

who would win?



you decide.





I think it would be close.

Close? lol Well I guess we should give the Zero a fighting chance.

I think the Zero would score a big "Zero" on this one.

If the Wildcat held its own against the Zero, the 109 would demolish it.

Here is a match up for you: Erich against Sakai. They would probably meet head-on. With Erich knowing he has the edge on firepower and armor. The Zero turns into a fireball and plummets to earth.

Ok OK I MAAAAY be a little biased here.

[FOZ_1983]

It would be a good fight. Each knowing the strength and weakness of their own aircraft. Not sure if they know the strength of the other though (erich knowing about the zero and vice versa)

I would still take the zero. Unless he catches a few stray rounds and then he's in alot of trouble!!!

[Soviet Ace]

Once again, it depends on the altitude they met. If the A6M2 Zero and the 109E3 met at 5,000 ft or so. I would side with the Zero because the Zero was a premiere low-medium altitude fighter. Where on the other hand, the 109 was designed to be a high altitude fighter. Now if the two met at 15,000ft or so; then I'd say the 109 because it is more maneuverable at higher altitudes, and the Zero with its large ailerons would cause to much lag with it.

And the only reason the Wildcat, and other American planes could hold their own against a Japanese Zero was because they could only BnZ a Japanese fighter. They couldn't turn or maneuver with one because the Zero was so maneuverable. And another reason why the Wildcat could hold its own was because of its heavy armor. Those things were like flying tubs of their day. (early, not later.)

[Swagger7]

Close? lol Well I guess we should give the Zero a fighting chance.

I think the Zero would score a big "Zero" on this one.

If the Wildcat held its own against the Zero, the 109 would demolish it.

Here is a match up for you: Erich against Sakai. They would probably meet head-on. With Erich knowing he has the edge on firepower and armor. The Zero turns into a fireball and plummets to earth.

Ok OK I MAAAAY be a little biased here.

Well, since I believe Hartmann was the one who preferred to make hit & run attacks & never turn with his opponent, I think poor Sakai would be pretty screwed. (and if anything, I'm naturally biased in favor of Sakai, since I've read "Samurai!" 3-4 times.) The zero was really a crappy little plane. It had maneuverability & nothing else. It's too easy for a decently trained pilot in a faster, better climbing plane to use simple tactics to overcome a maneuverability disadvantage. There's a reason that Japan is the only major wartime power where just about all of their high scoring aces died early in the war. Sakai probably only survived because injuries from Guadalcanal forced him to sit out most of the war.

[FOZ_1983]

towards the end of the war wasnt sakai sent on a kamikaze mission with some other zero pilots to attack a convoy? but bad weather stopped it and they also ran into US fighters?

like hartmann sakai never lost a wingman either i do believe. Dont quote me though. I really know nothing at all when it comes to the pacific theatre and also the eastern front

back on topic....

remember 20 miles isnt all that far, hartmann like hit and run, sakai likes to use his turning ability and to also come from underneath. If hartmann goes for height and sakai stays low... it would make or a good duel because one of them has to buckle sooner or later.

[Swagger7]

towards the end of the war wasnt sakai sent on a kamikaze mission with some other zero pilots to attack a convoy? but bad weather stopped it and they also ran into US fighters?

like hartmann sakai never lost a wingman either i do believe. Dont quote me though. I really know nothing at all when it comes to the pacific theatre and also the eastern front

back on topic....

remember 20 miles isnt all that far, hartmann like hit and run, sakai likes to use his turning ability and to also come from underneath. If hartmann goes for height and sakai stays low... it would make or a good duel because one of them has to buckle sooner or later.

Yeah, he did go on a kamikaze mission, but turned his squadron around because he realized it was futile (because of the weather and the fighters like you said).