MiG-21 BIS on Verkkokauppa

Vekkokauppa in Jätkäsaari, Helsinki is the flagship store of the eponymous chain. However, in addition to the massive retail space, this particular store offers a piece of hardware that visitors wouldn't expect to see at an ordinary electronics store.

The roof of the building serves as an observation platform, as well as the home to a retired military jet airplane. The MiG-21 BIS, or MiG-1300 interceptor jet fighter, was manufactured in the Soviet Union by Mikoyan and Gurevich Design Bureau.

During the Cold War, Finland was a neutral country balancing between two opposing blocks. Starting in 1963, the Finnish Airforce began purchasing various versions of MiG-21 airplanes. They remained in the service until 1998 when they were replaced by a fleet of American-made F-18 Hornets.