Gloster Gamecock Mk II (GA-58)

The Gloster Gamecock, called “Kukko” (the Rooster), was a biplane fighter designed by the British Gloucestershire Aircraft Co. in 1925. The Finnish Air Force purchased MK II, an improved version of the plane for test purposes, in 1927. Just the following year, the State’s Aircraft Factory, Valtion Lentokonetehdas (VL), acquired the manufacturing license. VL manufactured 15 planes up till 1930, with “Kukko” being the first mass-produced fighter plane in Finland. In the late 1930’s, “Kukkos” flew for the intelligence service, yet in the Winter War an aerial victory was achieved using this aircraft type. The type was in use until 1944.

The aircraft on display (GA-58) was destroyed in an accident when training a patrol flight close to Parola in early 1940. The pilot, Pentti Linkola, was injured and lost his life in the accident. The fuselage on display is the most intact wreck of this aircraft type in the world.