VL Sääski

The VL Sääski was a trainer aircraft of the Finnish manufacturer Valtion lentokonetehdas and the first designed in Finland airplane that was produced in series.

History

The aircraft was designed by Kurt Berger and Asser Järvinen 1927. The prototype has been funded with own resources and built by a ten-member design team. The prototype was called Sääski I, was completed in the spring of 1928 and was sold on 25 June 1928, the Finnish Air Force. The design team founded in 1928 a company called Sääski and built four improved Sääski II for civilian use. Since the company was threatened with bankruptcy because of a lack of orders, the Finnish Air Force ordered ten Sääski II These were built and delivered in 1930. Two more orders came from the Air Force. In addition, five machines for civilian use were produced.

Construction

The Sääkski was a continuous tape as a single-engine biplane trainer aircraft that was equipped with rear seats in tandem. The aircraft had a non- retractable spur wheel chassis. The second series (starting with SA -127 ) differed from the former by a larger span. This version was called Sääski IIA. The aircraft was considered to be safe and reliable and has also been equipped with floats.

Variants

  • VL Sääkski I: the prototype
  • VL Sääkski II: improved version
  • VL Sääkski IIA: to be equipped with an enlarged wingspan and the ability with floats

Military use

  • Finland Finland

Specifications

807325
de