Woikoski’s Safirs

Woikoski Oy has had a strong connection with Finnish aviation for decades. Members of the company’s owning family have been avid aviation enthusiasts and have supported the Finnish Air Force since its early days. In 1918, a plane sponsored by Woikoski was one of the first aircraft in the Finnish Air Force.

Saab 91D Safir trainer aircraft are a significant part of Finland’s aviation history. The Saab 91 Safir is a single-engine propeller-driven aircraft manufactured by the Swedish company Saab, which made its maiden flight on 20 November 1945. The aircraft was designed by Anders Johan Andersson, who had previously worked at the Bücker factory in Germany, where he designed the Bücker Bü 181 Bestmann trainer. The design of the Safir is clearly influenced by this aircraft.

There were five different versions of the Safirei (A, B, B-2, C and D), 323 in total. The Finnish Air Force had 36 Saab 91D Safirs in service as basic training aircraft between 1950 and 1980. In addition, three Safirs were used for navigation training of helicopters of the Border Guard between 1982 and 1985.

Safirs are known for their good design and durability, but their operating costs were high, which is why the main users were the air force and airlines.

Members of the Woikoski family of owners, Bertil and Sven Palmberg, were close friends with pilot Väinö Bremer, who represented both Saab cars and aircraft. Bremer bought himself a three-seater Saab Safir, which introduced the aircraft type to the aviation fly-biting Woikoskians. Clas Palmberg, the late owner of Woikoski Oy, said as a young boy when admiring the plane: “When I grow up, I’m going to buy my own Safir”.
Now Woikoski has no fewer than nine Safirs.

When the Finnish Air Force gave up the Safire and the aircraft were sold abroad, Woikoski decided to acquire several aircraft to ensure the preservation of this important aviation heritage in Finland.

There are currently 9 Safirs at Woikoski, all former Air Force aircraft. Six of the aircraft are airworthy, and the seventh (SF-29, OH-SFG) is expected to be airworthy by autumn 2025.

Maintaining the Woikoski Safirs and keeping them in flying condition is an important contribution to preserving Finnish aviation history and honouring the heritage of the Finnish Air Force.