The Suomen Ilmavoimamuseo, or Finnish Air Force Museum, is located in Tikkakoski, near the city of Jyvaskyla in central Finland. The museum showcases an impressive collection of aircraft, including both military and civilian planes. It is a fascinating destination for aviation enthusiasts and those interested in the history of the Finnish Air Force (FAF).

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Suomen Ilmavoimamuseo / Finnish Air Force Museum

Tikkakoskentie 125

41160 Tikkakoski

Finland

www.k-silmailumuseo.fi

keski-suomen.ilmailumuseo@kolumbus.fi

+358 14 375 2125

+358 14 375 3162

June 1 –  August 15

• Daily 10:00 – 20:00

August 16 – May 31

• Daily 11:00 – 17:00

Closed Christmas week, 31.12, 1.1. and 22.-23.6

Admission fee

Gift shop

Aircraft collection

AV-57 3C.30 BW-372 BL-200 OH-EJA VT-8 DO-4 GN-101 GN-104 SZ-4 FR-110/7 FM-33 FM-45/A 8F.12 HC-452 NH-4 8F.4 MA-24 MT-507/O MU-4 MG-136 MG-138 MG-92 MK-103 MK-105 MK-126 HR-1 HS-1 1709 DK-262 DK-270 DK-241 DK-233 DK-223 SF-2 OH-MFB F1 VN-4 VN-5 RG-4 HM-671 PM-1 VH-18

Avro 504K Brequet 14.A.2 Brewster 239 Buffalo Bristol Blenheim IV de Havilland DH.60X Moth de Havilland Vampire T.55 Douglas C-47A Dakota Folland Gnat F.1 Folland Gnat F.1 Focke Wulf Fw44J Stieglitz Fokker D.XXI Fouga CM170 Magister (cockpit) Fouga CM170 Magister Gourdou Lesseure GL22B2 Hawker Hurricane Mk.1 Ilyushin Il-28R I.V.L. C.24 Martinsyde F.4 Buzzard Messerschmitt Bf109G-6Y Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-15UTI Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-21bis Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-21bis Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-21F-13 Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-21U Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-21UM Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-21UM Mil Mi-4 Mil Mi-8T PZL Lim-5 Saab 35CS Draken SAAB 35CS Draken SAAB 35F Draken SAAB 35F Draken SAAB 35S Draken SAAB 91D Safir SAAB MFI-9 Junior Thulin Type D Valmet L-70 Vinka Valmet L-70 Vinka Valmet L-90TP Redigo VL Humu VL Pyorremyrsky VL Vihuri II

Aviation Museum of Central Finland also acts as the Finnish Air Force Museum.

The Aviation Museum of Central Finland (Finnish Air Force Museum) has a great collection of aircraft that have been used by the Finnish Air Force. Via these aircraft the museum shows Finnish aviation history from its beginning to the present days. The exhibition consists of aircraft, engines and aircrew equipment and much more.

Brewster 239 Buffalo BW-372 Finnish Air Force restoration pictures in 2008

This aircraft is on loan from the National Museum of Naval Aviation at Pensacola, Florida. The only preserved Brewster Buffalo fighter in the world now under restoration was revealed to the media at Aviation Museum of Central Finland today on the 90th anniversary of the Finnish Air Force. Ltn. Lauri Pekuri was shot down in this fighter over the Soviet territory during the Second World War on 25 June 1942. The wreckage was recovered from a lake in Karelia, Russia in 1998.

Key Features of the Suomen Ilmavoimamuseo, Finnish Air Force Museum:

1. Aircraft Collection: Among its most notable exhibits are the Messerschmitt Bf 109, Saab 35 Draken, and various Finnish-designed aircraft. The museum also has several historical and modern military planes that demonstrate the evolution of aviation technology in Finland.
2. Historical Exhibits: The Suomen Ilmavoimamuseo, or Finnish Air Force Museum covers the history of the Finnish Air Force from its origins in 1918, including its role in major conflicts such as the Winter War (1939-1940) and the Continuation War (1941-1944). Exhibits highlight the Air Force’s operational history, its development over the years, and the strategic role of aviation in Finland’s defense.
3. Interactive Displays: The museum offers interactive exhibits, including flight simulators, allowing visitors to get a feel for what it’s like to be in a cockpit.
4. Aviation Memorabilia: There are also displays of uniforms, weapons, and equipment used by Finnish Air Force personnel throughout the years, as well as archival materials like photographs and documents that provide insight into the life of aviators.
5. Educational Programs: The Suomen Ilmavoimamuseo, or Finnish Air Force Museum organizes educational programs for schools, aviation enthusiasts, and other groups, making it a hub for learning about Finnish aviation history.
6. Location: The Suomen Ilmavoimamuseo, or Finnish Air Force Museum is part of a larger aviation area that includes other historical buildings, and it’s located near the Finnish Air Force base, adding to its authenticity and connection to real aviation history.

Photos Marco Piccirilli

Hawker Hurricane photos Wouter Roerdink