Sotavangilles

Sotavangille was a finnhelicopter operated by the Finnish military during the Continuation War. It was a license-built version of the MBB Bo 105, a German-made multi-role helicopter. The first Sotavangille arrived in Finland in 1965, and by 1971, a total of 24 aircraft had been delivered to the Finnish Air Force.

In Finnish service, the Sotavangille was used for a variety of tasks, including troop transport, medical evacuation, and reconnaissance. The helicopter's unique features, such as its stainless steel rotors and crashworthy airframe, made it well-suited for operations in harsh, cold climates.

The Sotavangille played an important role in Finnish military aviation during the 1970s, particularly during exercises and training missions. However, as newer, more advanced helicopters entered service, the need for the Sotavangille decreased. By 1987, the Sotavangille had largely been replaced by more modern aircraft, and many of the helicopters were sold to foreign countries or scrapped.

The Sotavangille saw action during several notable military operations, including the Lapin sota (Lapland War) and the Itäkarjalan sota (East Karelian War). While the Sotavangille was not a particularly high-profile aircraft, its service with the Finnish military proved its worth in the harsh, subarctic environment of Northern Europe.