[Raimo Malkamäki]

Dear forum members,

Max Lagoda made a succesful visit to Helsinki a week ago. I must say that I have seen many veterans in good shape, but Ofw, Bordfunker Max Lagoda is really an exceptional man.
With 94 years, Max is a real superman. I can only admire his condition, and he really loves to talk about his experiences! He met several Finnish veteran colleagues, and among them was Mr Kustaa Lehmusvuori (born in 1920), a Finnish Bordfunker who also flew in Ju 88.

On Saturday Max gave a 2 hour presentation at our museum, and I think he would easily have spoken another 2 hours, if we had the time. Just amazing!

On Sunday we visited Helsinki-Malmi airport. Max´s crew made an emergency landing there on 7.7.1941, after they had made a reconnaisance mission over Leningrad, and were attacked by russian fighters. Their Ju 88 was damaged, and Helsinki was the closest friendly airport. He was very amazed and happy when he noticed that the old round terminal building was still there. We also laid flowers to Mannerheim´s grave and the German soldier´s grave at Hietaniemi cemetery, Helsinki.
It was a real honour to have Max here as our guest.

Please find a link below to the Finnish Aviation Museum Society´s website, with an article about the visit (only in Finnish). However, there are also some pictures taken during the weekend.

http://www.imy.fi/uutiset.html?106

Best regards,

Raimo