Valtion lentokonetehdas
VL Pyry
The VL Pyry was a Finnish trainer aircraft built by the state‑owned factory Valtion lentokonetehdas (VL) in the 1930s. Developed to replace the aging Grunau and other foreign trainers, the Pyry first flew in February 1932 and entered service with the Finnish Air Force the following year. Its construction combined a wooden fuselage with a welded steel tube frame, covered by fabric, while the wings were of all‑wood, low‑wing monoplane design with cantilever construction. Powered by a 120 hp Argus As 10C inverted‑V12 engine, the aircraft delivered a maximum speed of 190 km/h, a service ceiling of 5 500 m and a forgiving handling envelope that made it ideal for novice pilots. Production totaled 54 units, all built at the VL factory in Suomenlinna, and the type remained in active training duty throughout World II and into the early 1950s. The Pyry is significant because it marked Finland’s first wholly domestic military aircraft, demonstrated the capability of the national aviation industry, and provided a reliable platform for pilot instruction that contributed to the high proficiency of Finnish pilots during the war. Several surviving examples are displayed in Finnish museums, preserving the Pyry’s legacy for future generations of aviation enthusiasts.
Classification
Production & History
- First Flight
- 1939