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Estonian Air Force Post-WW2
Current Order of Battle
Estonian Air Force (post-WW2)
Click on unit title for more details
| Squadron | Type | Base |
|---|---|---|
| Ohuseire e Division | An-2, R-44 | Lennubaas (Ämari) |
Ohuseire e Division = Air Surveillance Wing.
Air Surveillance Wing
Estonian Air Force
History
The Air Surveillance Wing was formed on 1 January 1998 and is tasked with monitoring and policing Estonian national airspace. A number of aircraft are operated so support this role. (Some documents refer to this unit as the Air Surveillance Division).
Subordinate Units
None.
Aircraft
| Type | Qty | Service | Example Serials |
|---|---|---|---|
| Antonov An-2 Colt | 2 | 1997 – Present | 40-41 yellow |
| Mil Mi-2 Hoplite | 2 | 1997 – 2001 | 61-62 yellow |
| PZL PZL-104 Wilga | 1 | 1998 – 2005? | 50 blue |
| LET L-13 Blanik | 2 | 1998 – 2005? | |
| Antonov An-2 Colt | 3 | 2001 – Present | 42 yellow |
| Robinson R44 | 4 | 2002 – Present | 63-66 yellow |
| Aero L-39C Albatros | 2 | 2006 – 2006 | ES-RAZ,ES-YLZ |
Unit Markings
| Figure 1 |
|---|
| To be added |
Main Bases
| Base | Duration |
|---|---|
| Lennubaas (Ämari) | 1998 – Present |
Photographs
None currently available.
More Information
References
- World Air Forces Directory 2004/2005 (Ian Carroll)
Other Sources
To be added.
Aircraft Not Used
Estonian Air Force (post-WW2)
This page gives details of some of the aircraft types that were offered or promised to the Estonian Air Force but not delivered, cancelled official orders, and types have been falsely reported as being in service.
Bell AH-1
A small number of AH-1 attack helicopters was offered – free of charge – by the US Government, but the offer was declined.
SAAB 105
The Swedish Government offered some free SAAB 105 trainers, but the offer was not taken up.
Yakovlev Yak-52
2 Yak-52 were reportedly in service from 1999, but none have been identified.
Estonian Air Force (post-WW2)
Operator Profile
History
Narrative Summary
Narrative history of the Estonian Air Force
Key Dates
Current Status
To be added
Future Plans
Acquisition of a pair of Yak-52 trainers.
Some medium-range transport aircraft are required to support Estonian peacekeeping forces.
Possible amalgamation with the Border Guard.
Markings
National Insignia
Current — Historical
Aircraft Serial Numbers
Estonian military aircraft initially carried civil registrations, but these were later replaced by two-digit numerical serials applied in yellow, e.g. Antonov An-2 ’42’.
Unit/Base Codes
Coding system not used.
Aircraft
Aircraft Designations
None – Manufacturers designations used.
Current Aircraft Inventory
Table of Current Service Aircraft
All-Time Aircraft Used List
All-Time Table of Aircraft Used
Aircraft NOT Used
False reports of aircraft on order or in service
Organisation
Main Headquarters
Tallinn.
Organisational Structure
All aircraft are currently based at Lennubaas Air Base, Ämari.
Current Order of Battle
Table of Current Order of Battle
Historical Orders of Battle
List of Historical Orders of Battle – to be added.
All-Time Flying Units List
To be added.
Air Bases
Current Air Bases
The main air base is Lennubaas.
All-Time Air Bases Used List
In addition to the main base, here are also a number of smaller airports and airfields around the country which are sometimes used by the Air Force.
Military Air Bases Listing – to be added.
More Information
Books
Estonian Military Aviation Bibliography – to be added.
Magazines
Air Enthusiast No.18 April-July 1982
Air International December 1998
Websites
PZL PZL-104 Wilga
in Estonian Air Force (post-WW2) service
History
One PZL-104 Wilga 35A brought from a local flying club in 1998. Withdrawn circa 2005.
Individual Details
| Serial | c/no. | Prev. Identity | Delivered | Fate/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 blue | 1998 | wfu 2005? |
Pictures
None available at present.
More Information
References
Other Sources
To be added.
LET L-13 Blanik
in Estonian Air Force (post-WW2) service
History
Two L-13 Blaniks brought from a local flying club in 1998. Withdrawn circa 2005.
Individual Details
| Serial | c/no. | Prev. Identity | Delivered | Fate/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ? | 1998 | wfu 2005? | ||
| ? | 1998 | wfu 2005? |
Pictures
None available at present.
More Information
References
Other Sources
To be added.
Key Dates
Estonian Air Force (post-WW2)
| 13 April 1994 | Estonian Air Force established | |
| 15 May 1997 | First full-time air base opened |
Narrative History
Estonian Air Force (post-WW2)
On 12 February 1942 ‘Sonderstaffel Buschmann’ was established as an Estonian manned coastal patrol unit operating in co-operation with German forces. The unit rapidly expanded to 40-50 aircraft and some 200 personnel. During 1943 it was redesignated Aufklärungsgruppe 127 (AGr 127) and became a regular Luftwaffe unit. On 18 October 1943 AGr 127 was split into See-Aufklärungsgruppe 127 and Nachtschlachtgruppe 11. Early in 1944, the approach of the re-invigorated Soviet Army led to renewed fears of Soviet occupation. Thousands of Estonians volunteered to fight alongside the Germans, but during September 1944 the Red Army occupied the country.
During the subsequent Soviet occupation, Estonia became heavily militarised, with some 10% of the population being Soviet troops based at over 500 military installations.
The current Estonian Air Force (Eesti Õhuvägi) was first formed on 13 April 1994. Initially tasked with air defence using old Soviet radars and anti-aircraft guns. On 15 May 1997 the first air base was opened, allowing the operation of a small fleet of ex-Soviet DOSAAF lightplanes and helicopters.
National Markings
Estonian Air Force (Post-WW2)
This section describes and illustrates the various national insignia used by the Estonian Air Force since its formation:
1993-present
The main triangular marking is displayed on the fuselage sides of helicopters, and in the standard four (wing not fuselage) positions on aircraft, with the point facing backwards. The national flag is carried as a rudder flash on aircraft. Neither aircraft or helicopters carry service titles.