VL Tuisku

The VL Tuisku was a Finnish trainer aircraft of the 1930s.

History and construction

Arvo Ylinen, chief engineer of the State Aircraft Factory Valtion lentokonetehdas, was project leader in the development of this aircraft for the Finnish Air Force.

The first prototype was built in 1933 and on 10 January 1934 by Lieutenant UE Mäkelä first flown. Series production began a year later. Within two years, 30 aircraft were built. These were the identification code TU- 149 - TU- 179th The Tuisku was the first Finnish aircraft with a welded tubular steel frame.

On this aircraft, three versions were built, a version with floats, one for pilot training and for the training of Enlightenment thinkers. The plane was used until 1949 when all Finnish squadrons.

An obtained Tuisku named " Sokeri - Sirkku " (TU -178 ) is on display at the Aviation Museum in Vantaa ( Suomen Ilmailumuseo ). From another (TU -169 ) of the hull is obtained, which is stored in the warehouse of the museum. Before the old state aircraft factory in Tampere is another restored Tuisku.

Variants

  • Tuisku: Prototype
  • Tuisku I: First production version
  • Tuisku II: Improved version with a 160 kW Armstrong Siddeley Lynx radial engine

Military use

Specifications

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