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Showing results for tags 'Morko Morane'.
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Hi, Finland was brave during WWII. They protected independace in Winter War after Soviet attack in 1939 (though lost some part of land), then (hoping to take this land back) joined German agression on Soviets (named in Finland The Continuation War), but in September 1944 made a separate armistance (which for sure protected them of became under Soviets in post war time). German army, who was present in Finland, was suppouse to step back via Northern Finland (Lapland) to occupied Norway, however in their return Germans started to destroy bridges and so on. This made that next war stated. This time against Germans, so called Lapland War, which lasted till first days of April 1945. Such change of alliances happend in many countries during WWII (starting from France, Italy and Bulgaria, Romania ...). This is interesting to observe it on war machines used. Initally Finnland have mostly Allied equipment (French like Morane, British like Gladiators, Gauntlets, Hurricanes, Blenheims, American like Brewster Buffalo, Dutch like Fokker D XXI & CX, Koolhoven FK 53 but also Italian (Fiat G-50) . They have also own constructions (Myrsky, Pyry...). After starting allians with Germans the Me 109, Ju 88 and Do 17 appeared as weel as some ex French Hawks and Moranes MS 410. However the support of repairing parts for all Allied countries was stopped. They were able to buy some needed engines in Sweden as well as repaired captured or bought from Germany captured Russian airplanes. This kept the Finish aviation alive - by the way with the incredible loses to wins ratio about 1/10! One of such modification was Morko Morane - the reconstructed original Morane 406/410 fighter where instead of original Hispano Suiza engine a Russian Klimov engine was installed, together with more slim nose, new prop, oil radiator from Me 109, new glicol radiator and some miner changies. Those Klimov engines were obtained from Germany (who captured and repaired them) and some 40 old airframes of MS 406/410 were modified in 1944/45 to newer standard. Some years ago I've bought Maquette Morko Morane kit (1/72). This is basicly old Frog Morane 406 with new fuselage. It is very basic so I've immediately bought also a Hobby Boss MS 406 intending to mix them to get one model of Morko Morane. Meanwhile RS issued a genui Morko, but I ignored it keeping original idea. So the model is kitbash of Maquette Morko Morane, Hobby Boss MS 406 and some scratch work. Dimed Finish Swastika (introduced in Spring '44) and removed yellow markings are typical for time of Lapland War. Those decals are by Techmod. This MSv-624 was one of first Morko and was scored with one win but in end of war against Soviets. It was one of three of this type who took active role in Lapland War. Many thanks to people from Finish Museum of Avaiation who helped me in getting all this data in discussion here and in PMs. Here is results: Comments welcome Regards Jerzy-Wojtek P.S. I was unable to upload photos from Flickr with Chrome, after installing Firefox it went OK Anybody had similar problem?