Valtion lentokonetehdas
VL Tuisku
The VL Tuisku (Finnish for “Sparrow”) was a primary trainer aircraft produced by Valtion lentokonetehdas (VLT), the state‑run aircraft factory of Finland, during the late 1930s and early 1940s. Designed by Arvo Ylinen, its first flight took place on 2 November 1935 and series production began in 1936. The low‑wing monoplane featured a conventional wooden‑and‑fabric structure, a fixed landing gear, and was powered by a 140 hp (104 kW) de Havilland Gipsy Minor inline engine, giving it a maximum speed of about 185 km/h and a range of 500 km. Its simple, forgiving handling made it ideal for ab initio flight instruction, and the Tuisku quickly became the backbone of the Finnish Air Force’s training program, with 104 units built before production halted in 1944.
Beyond training, the Tuisku saw limited use as a liaison and observation platform during the Winter War and Continuation War, proving its robustness in harsh Nordic conditions. The aircraft’s longevity—remaining in service until the early 1950s—underscored Finland’s commitment to domestic aeronautical capability. The VL Tuisku therefore represents a key milestone in Finnish aviation, illustrating successful indigenous design, self‑sufficiency, and the development of a skilled pilot corps that contributed to the nation’s wartime resilience.
Beyond training, the Tuisku saw limited use as a liaison and observation platform during the Winter War and Continuation War, proving its robustness in harsh Nordic conditions. The aircraft’s longevity—remaining in service until the early 1950s—underscored Finland’s commitment to domestic aeronautical capability. The VL Tuisku therefore represents a key milestone in Finnish aviation, illustrating successful indigenous design, self‑sufficiency, and the development of a skilled pilot corps that contributed to the nation’s wartime resilience.
Classification
Production & History
- First Flight
- 1934