Valtion lentokonetehdas VL Pyörremyrsky
Valtion lentokonetehdas · Finland · first flew 1945 · fighter
The VL Pyörremyrsky ('Whirlwind') was a Finnish single-seat piston fighter prototype developed during World War II, representing Finland's most advanced indigenous wartime aircraft design.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 8.38 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
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Spot it by:
- Finnish WWII-era fighter prototype, only one built
- Single-engine low-wing monoplane with bubble canopy
- War ended before production; sole prototype survives
Cleanly cowled low-wing monoplane with an oval-section fuselage, bubble canopy, and tapered wings — resembling contemporary Allied fighters of the mid-1940s.
Specifications
- The Valtion lentokonetehdas VL Pyörremyrsky has a length of 8.38 m (27 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 11 m (36 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 618 km/h (384 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Designed by Torsti Verkkola at the State Aircraft Factory (Valtion lentokonetehdas), the prototype first flew in late 1945, after the cessation of hostilities, and was therefore never produced. The sole surviving aircraft is preserved in Finland.
Variants
Only one prototype was completed; no production variants entered service.
Where you'll see it
Never entered operational service; the prototype was evaluated by the Finnish Air Force but the war's end rendered further development moot.
Related aircraft
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