Midnight Hawks to Make Rare International Appearance at Frecce Tricolori's 65th Anniversary Airshow
The Finnish Air Force aerobatic team, the Midnight Hawks, is gearing up to thrill audiences at Rivolto Air Base in Udine, Italy, during the Frecce Tricolori 65th Anniversary Airshow on September 6-7. This event is a big deal for aviation fans everywhere, as it marks the only international performance by the Midnight Hawks this season, bringing a touch of Finnish flair to Italy’s biggest airshow this year.
Adding to the excitement, the Midnight Hawks are the second international team confirmed for the airshow, following the Swiss Air Force’s Patrouille Suisse. Naturally, the home team and birthday stars, the Frecce Tricolori, will also take to the skies to mark their 65 years of aerial mastery. While details on the full roster remain under wraps, expect a dazzling array of aircraft from the Italian Air Force, possibly joined by other international squads and a few historic Italian planes that nod to the country’s rich aviation legacy.
Midnight Hawks / 60th anniversary of the Frecce Tricolori Rivolto 2021
Behind the controls of this Finnish spectacle is a tight-knit crew of seasoned pilots. Leading the charge is Captain Ville Kirijatshenko, guiding the team through every twist and turn. Flanking him are Captain Arttu Majuri on the left wing and Captain Lauri Lappalainen on the right, with Captain Petteri Wahlgren holding steady as the rear aerobatic team member. Off the flight line, Captain Ville Mattila keeps the crowd engaged with commentary and a perfectly synced soundtrack, while Captain Juho Tervahartiala oversees the operation with a keen eye. These guys aren’t just pilots—they’re well-trained professionals, bringing years of training and teamwork to every manoeuvre.
The Midnight Hawks call Tikkakoski Air Base home, and their story kicked off back on June 7, 1997, with their first flight under this name in Oulu. That moniker, “Midnight Hawks,” isn’t just for show—it’s a tribute to Finland’s magical Midnight Sun, the endless summer daylight that’s as mesmerising as their performances. For years, they were a staple at the Midnight Summer Airshow in Kauhava, wowing crowds at the former Finnish Air Force Academy base with displays that blended skill and showmanship.
What sets these pilots apart is their knack for classic formation flying. Picture this: jets slicing through the sky in a tight diamond formation, pulling off opposition passes that make your heart skip a beat, and dynamic breaks that look like something out of a movie. That diamond shape? It’s their calling card, a testament to how in-sync they are up there. Every move is rehearsed to perfection, a mix of raw talent and countless hours of practice that keeps spectators glued to the action.
The team flies British BAe Hawk Mk.51 jet trainers, pulled straight from the Air Force Academy’s lineup. They’ve got six of these birds at their disposal, but typically roll out four for the big shows, keeping a couple in reserve to ensure nothing goes awry mid-flight. Back in 2018, they upped the ante by adding a fifth pilot for a special five-ship display at the Finnish Air Force’s 100th Anniversary Airshow. Four jets danced in formation while the fifth broke off for solo stunts, showing off their versatility. They didn’t stop there—later that year, they took the five-ship show to Poland for the Polish Air Force’s centennial bash in Radom, their first time pulling it off beyond Finland’s borders.
Every now and then, the Midnight Hawks switch things up and fly the Hawk Mk.66 jets. There’s a catch, though—these can’t carry smoke pods, so you won’t see those dramatic trails swirling behind them. It’s a different vibe, more stripped-down, but they still manage to put on a clinic in precision flying. When they’re back in the Mk.51s, though, those smoke pods under the wings kick things up a notch, painting the sky with bold streaks that turn their manoeuvres into a visual feast.
These Finns aren’t strangers to the international scene. They’ve left their mark in places like Austria, Great Britain, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Italy, and Sweden, sharing the skies with some of the world’s best aerobatic teams. Each trip is a chance to show off what Finnish aviation is made of, while swapping stories and tips with their global counterparts.
If you’re anywhere near Rivolto this September, you won’t want to miss the Midnight Hawks in action at the Frecce Tricolori’s 65th Anniversary Airshow. This rare international outing promises a front-row seat to a masterclass in aerobatics, framed by the gorgeous backdrop of northeast Italy. Whether you’re the kind of enthusiast who can name every jet in the sky or just someone who loves a good show, the Midnight Hawks are ready to deliver a performance that’ll stick with you long after the engines quiet down.
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