DOUBLE FIGHTER KNIGHT

APRIL & MAY     ~    *BOOK OF THE MONTH*

There are some aviation books that are so rare and highly sought after by collectors
from all over the world that it would be unfair to sell such a book on a ‘first come’ basis. 

Therefore, each calendar month, Spitfire Books is offering a rare book for sale
and invites collectors to submit a ‘best offer’ during the month by email or telephone

Signed on the front end paper by

 Air Master Sergeant Ilmari “Illu” Juutilainen

Published in Finland by Apali Oy 1996.  First English language edition, first printing (originally published in Finnish in 1956).  255 pages with lots of photographs and maps.

Very Fine condition hardback book in pictorial laminated boards and no dustjacket (as published).  

‘Double Fighter Knight’ is the autobiography of Finland’s greatest fighter pilot Air Master Sergeant Ilmari “Illu” Juutilainen who achieved 94 combat victories against the Soviet Air Force flying Fokkers, Brewster Buffalos and Me-109Gs. He was involved in almost constant combat from autumn 1939 to summer 1944 and scored 21 victories in the month of June 1944 alone. Remarkably, he never sustained any damage from enemy fighters. He was the top scoring non-German fighter pilot of all time.

More than an autobiography, this book also sheds light on Finland’s motivation for its participation in the Winter War against the Soviet Union. It describes the role of tactical aviation on the Eastern Front, fighter tactics in general and the incredible performance of the Finnish Air Force against overwhelming odds in the harsh environment of Karelia and the Gulf of Finland.  For his great achievements ‘Illu’ twice received the Knighthood of the Mannerheim Cross, Finland’s highest military honour. His last flight was in 1997, at age 83, in a two-seat F-18 Hornet of the Finnish Air Force. He passed away in 1999.

‘Double Fighter Knight’ is a remarkable memoir about this little-known area of WWII aerial warfare and the Finnish ace of aces.  An extremely rare signed book for any aviation library.