VL Pyörremyrsky

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VL Pyörremyrsky (Hurricane) was a Finnish fighter, designed by DI Torsti Verkkola at the State Aircraft Factory (Valtion lentokonetehdas) for service with the Finnish Air Force in the second World War. The aircraft was constructed out of wood, as far as possible, since metals were sparse. The goal was to create a fighter with similar flight qualities as the German Messerschmitt Bf 109G. The engine and the propeller were taken from the Bf 109G, however the landing gear was significantly widened, which helped ground control, as well as start and landing. The Pyörremyrsky could outclimb the Bf 109 G-6 and was manoeuvrable, but, as no funds were available for the purchase of new aircraft for the Finnish Air Force and sufficient Bf 109 Gs remained to equip the fighter force that was permitted under the Armistrice terms, the prototype was grounded after 30 hours flying and the programme terminated.

On November 26, 1942 the Finnish Air Force ordered two Pyörremyrsky prototypes to be built. The aircraft were to be ready by May 1944. One prototype was later cancelled and only one aircraft were ever built. The aircraft is also called VMT Pyörremyrsky, since the factory then had been formed into the State Metal Factories (Valtion Metalli Tehtaat).

The Pyörremyrsky prototype PM-1 made its premier flight on November 21, 1945 in Härmälä, piloted by Esko Halme. After 25 minutes of flying, a piece from the hood fell off and Halme had to land, when fumes from the engine started to come into the cockpit. Halme was saved by his oxygen mask. The aircraft were to fly only three test flights in Tampere, the third time being a transfer flight to Kuorivesi on January 16, 1946. There it flew an additional 31 test flights, the total flight time being 27 hours by 1947. The aircraft was flown by eight pilots: Esko Halme, Lauri Hämäläinen, Erkki Itävuori, Osmo Kauppinen, Lasse Heikinaro, Martti Laitinen, Heikki Keso and Lauri Lautamäki. The last flight lasted only 20 minutes and was made by captain Osmo Kauppinen on July 22, 1947. PM-1 was removed from service on April 1, 1953.

The only problems with the Pyörremyrsky were the glued joints and the bad quality glue. The end of the war also affected the production program. However, the wing construction was later used in another Finnish aircraft, the Valmet Vihuri trainer.

The only prototype can today be seen at at the Central Finland Aviation museum in Tikkakoski.

[edit] Specifications (VL Pyörremyrsky)

General characteristics

• Crew: One
• Length: 9.13 m (29 ft 11 in)
• Wingspan: 10.38 m (34 ft 1 in)
• Height: 3.89 m (12 ft 9 in)
• Wing area: 19.00 m² (204.5 ft²)
• Max takeoff weight: 3,310 kg (7,300 lb)
• Powerplant: 1× Daimler-Benz DB 605A-1 V-12, 1,100 kW (1,475 hp)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 620 km/h (385 mi/h)
• Service ceiling: 11,250 m (36,900 ft)
• Rate of climb: 18.5 m/s (3,640 ft/min)

Armament

• 2× 12.7 mm LKK/42 machine guns

[edit] External links

• Pictures of the VL Pyörremyrsky: [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]