In May 1923 Russian-born amateur aircraft designer Boris Adaridi offered the Finnish AF his plans for an experimental light aircraft. An agreement to build one prototype was reached and construction began in Autumn 1923 in Santahamina. It made its first flight in April 1924 but was found to have mediocre flying characteristics and underpowered so prone to stalling during turns. The plane was never meant to become an operational military aircraft, rather it was merely an exercise for the Finns in building an aircraft. The AD 3 was decommissioned in 1931 after laying unused in Utti for years.

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