One of the latest in Mushroom Model Publications’ White Series, Finnish Jet Colours follows up three earlier volumes in Finnish camouflage and markings (2014’s Finnish Fighter Colours 1939-1945 Volume 1, 2015’s Finnish Fighter Colours 1939-1945 Volume 2, and 2018’s Finnish Bomber Colours 1939-1945). MMP is calling this book part of their "Rainbow Series." I'm guessing that refers to their large format camouflage and markings set of books in their "White" series that have addressed Bulgaria, Finland, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, and Sweden. This series seems to share a commonality of discussing the specific topic of the evolution of a countries' evolution in markings. To that end, this book utilizes many previously un-published pictures and focuses in on individual aircraft to supplement with superb color illustrations.

Kyösti Partonenhas spent almost forty years studying Finnish Air Force aircraft primarily to fuel his healthy modeling habit. He has gathered not only the standard markings but has a focus on many unique markings. Kyösti Partonenleaned heavily on the Finnish Air Force, along with many other Finnish organizations and museums to fully understand the aircraft markings. The book is a nice hardbound, with a glossy cover, and 216 pages on high-quality stock with a matt finish. The text is in English, and although there are a few spelling issues, it is quite readable. The front cover features a colour photograph of a pair of MiG-21F-13s from Karelian Wing airborne in the winter of 1992. I counted 99 black and white period photographs to go with an additional 337 period color pictures. There were 80 color side (or top) profiles and another 45 color drawings highlighting markings details. The aircraft addressed in this book can be seen by the following contents:

• Introduction
• Foreword
  • DH Vampire Mk 52 and DH 115 Vampire Trainer Mk 55 [Page 13]
  • Folland Fo.141 Gnat Mk 1
  • Potez-Air Fouga CM 170 Magister [Page 46]
  • Ilyushin Il-28 and Il-28R
  • Mikoyan-Gurevich UTI MiG-15 (CS-102)
  • Mikoyan- Gurevich MiG-21 F13 & MiG-21U [Page 71]
  • Mikoyan- Gurevich MiG-21UM
  • Mikoyan- Gurevich MiG-21 bis
  • SAAB 35 Draken 35BS, 35CS, 35FS and 35S [Page 126]
  • Bae Hawk Mk 51, Mk 51A, Mk 66
  • Gates Learjet 35A/S [Page 168]
  • McDonnell Douglas / Boeing F-18C, F-18D, F/A-18C, F/A-18D Hornet
• Appendices
  • Appendix 1 – Finnish Roundel
  • Appendix 2 – Serials
  • Appendix 3 – Squadron Emblems [Page 199]
  • Appendix 4 – Various Other Markings
  • Appendix 5 – Special Liveries
  • Appendix 6 – Aircraft Names
  • Appendix 7 – Colour Tables

Kyösti Partonen addresses each Finnish jet type with an introduction on how they were obtained and how they served. A table that addresses the aircraft by their Finnish serial numbers, manufacturer construction number, delivery date, last flight, and other remarks helps provide a complete picture (see the example below on Page 71). Page 13 (see attached scan) provides a good example of what you will find inside this title. A crisp photograph of the aircraft is well supplemented with captions, a full page-length color profile, and a scrap color illustration of the squadron emblem. The appendices go into even more detail. Appendix 3 on Squadron Emblems (Page 199 below) addresses the evolution of the Finnish emblems that is truly inspiring.

I found the information in all of the chapters quite interesting, especially on the Saab Draken. However, I’m going to point out that the chapter on the Folland Gnat was very enlightening. One of the Finnish Air Force’s Folland Gnat’s most well-known aircraft was named “Kreivi von Rosen” in honor of the Swedish Count Erik von Rosen. He had donated a Swedish Thulin D to start what is now the accepted as the birth of the Finnish Air Force.

I was extremely impressed with the coverage and quality of this title. Kyösti Partonen was able to incorporate a tremendous amount of information and still manage to provide a compelling and readable storyline. To see a video of the book’s contents, check out: http://mmpbooks.biz/ksiazki/414.

My thanks to Casemate, Mushroom Model Publications, and IPMS/USA for the chance to review this excellent book.

Highly recommended!