VL Tuisku
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VL Tuisku was a Finnish trainer aircraft, which was designed in the 1930s.
The State Aircraft Factory (Valtion lentokonetehdas), chief designer Arvo Ylinen led the project of creating a new trainer aircraft for the Finnish Air Force. A prototype was built in 1933 and its first flight was on January 10, 1934, when it was flown by lieutenant U.E. Mäkelä. One year later, in 1935, series production began: 30 aircraft were built during a period of two years, and they were given the identification codes TU-149 – TU-179. The aircraft was the first aircraft with a welded steel framework built in Finland.
Three different versions of the aircraft were made, for maritime use, pilot training and reconnaissance training. The aircraft was in use with all the Air Force squadrons until 1949.
One Tuisku, named "Sokeri-Sirkku", (TU-178) is preserved and on display at the air museum in Vantaa. Another fuselage (TU-169) is preserved at the museum's storage facilities.
A restaurated Tuisku is also on display in front of the old State Aircraft Factory in Tampere.
[edit] Variants
- Tuisku : Prototype.
- Tuisku I : Initial production version.
- Tuisku II : Improved version, fitted with a 215-hp (160-kW) Armstrong Siddeley Lynx radial piston engine.
[edit] Operators
[edit] Specifications (VL Tuisku)
General characteristics
- Crew: Two
- Length: 12.10 m (39 ft 8 in)
- Wingspan: 9.35 m (30 ft 8 in)
- Height: ()
- Wing area: m² (ft²)
- Max takeoff weight: 1,625 kg (3,580 lbs)
- Powerplant: 1× Armstrong Siddeley Lynx IVC radial engine , 160 kW (215 hp)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 200 km/h (124 mi/h)
- Service ceiling: 3,000 m (9,840 ft)
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