VL Paarma
Valtion Lentokonetehdas · Finland · first flew 1931 · light aircraft
The VL Paarma (Gadfly) was a Finnish two-seat biplane trainer designed by the State Aircraft Factory (Valtion Lentokonetehdas) for the Finnish Air Force.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 7.9 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Two-seat biplane trainer
- Single Siemens-Halske Sh 12 radial engine
- Two-bladed wooden fixed-pitch propeller
Look for a small Finnish two-seat trainer biplane with a nine-cylinder radial engine and a wooden propeller.
Specifications
- The VL Paarma has a length of 7.9 m (26 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 10.5 m (34 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 135 km/h (84 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
A prototype was constructed in 1930 and 1931 and made its first flight on 20 March 1931. The aircraft was underpowered and its flight characteristics were poor, and the engine was replaced by a higher-powered one.
Variants
Only one VL Paarma prototype was built.
Where you'll see it
The programme was cancelled. The aircraft was damaged in 1933 and never repaired.
Related aircraft
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