VL Tuisku

Tuisku
Role Advanced trainer or reconnaissance aircraft
National origin Finland
Manufacturer Valtion Lentokonetehdas
Designer A. Ylinen
First flight 10 January 1934
Introduction 1935
Retired 1949
Primary user Finnish Air Force
Number built ca. 31


The VL Tuisku (English: Blizzard) was a Finnish trainer aircraft designed in the 1930s. It was a two-seat, single-engined biplane with a welded steel framework, covered with fabric. 30 were produced for the Finnish Air Force and served from 1935 to 1949.

Design and development

Arvo Ylinen, who was the chief designer at the State Aircraft Factory (Valtion lentokonetehdas, abbreviated VL) led a project to create a new trainer aircraft for the Finnish Air Force. A prototype was built in 1933 and it was first flown on January 10, 1934 by lieutenant U.E. Mäkelä. Series production began one year later in 1935 - 30 aircraft were built over a period of two years. The name Tuisku means Snowstorm in English.

Operational history

Three different versions of the aircraft were made: a maritime, a pilot training and a reconnaissance training version. The aircraft was in use with all Finnish Air Force squadrons until 1949, bearing the identification codes TU-149 – TU-179.

Aircraft on display

One Tuisku, named "Sokeri-Sirkku" (TU-178) is preserved and on display at the air museum in Vantaa. The fuselage of TU-169 is preserved in the museum's storage facilities. A Tuisku is also on display in front of the old State Aircraft Factory in Tampere.

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.
Tuisku/T
The crew training version fitted with armament, including a manually aimed machine gun on a Scarff ring in the rear cockpit.[1]
Tuisku/O
The pilot training fitted with dual controls in front anfd rear cockpits.[1]

Operators

 Finland
Finnish Air Force

Specifications (Landplane)

VL Tuisku at the air museum at the Helsinki-Vantaa airfield.

Data from [1]

General characteristics

Performance

35 minutes 50 seconds to 2,000 m (6,561.7 ft) at 1,350 kg (2,976 lb).

Armament

See also


Related lists

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to VL Tuisku.
Notes
  1. 1 2 3 Grey, John C.G.; Bridgman, Leonard (1938). Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1938. London: Sampson Low, Marston & company, ltd. pp. 100–101.
Bibliographt
  • Grey, John C.G.; Bridgman, Leonard (1938). Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1938. London: Sampson Low, Marston & company, ltd. pp. 100–101. 
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