A handsome plane but like most Koolhoven types the FK.52 reconnaissance aircraft of 1937 was not very successful. Two examples were donated to Finland by the Swedish Count von Rosen in January 1940 and saw some action in the closing stages of the Winter War. Both were still in frontline service when hostilities resumed in June 1941. KO-130 was shot down by Soviet AAA over Hanko on 16 August 1941. KO-129 remained on strength until a crash in February 1943 although by 1942 it was so little used that a bird built a nest in its tail - and was given the time to raise its chicks there. Photo from: Finnish Air Force

The FK.52 reconnaissance aircraft first flew on 9 February 1937. The prototype was lost in a fatal crash here at Soesterberg on 11 August 1937. Koolhoven built five more airframes but there were no sales until 1940 when the Dutch army air force ordered 36, to be designated FK.59s. Two of the white tails were bought by the Swedish Count von Rosen for Finland in January 1940, including this one which became KO-130. Both aircraft saw combat during the last week of the Winter War in March 1940. KO-130 was shot down by Soviet AAA over Hanko on 16 August 1941. Photo from: Nederlands Instituut voor Militaire Historie