VL Pyry
Valtion lentokonetehdas (VL) · Finland · first flew 1939 · light aircraft
The VL Pyry was a Finnish two-seat advanced trainer monoplane built by the state aircraft factory VL, entering service with the Finnish Air Force in 1939. It was an important tool for producing fighter pilots during the Winter War and Continuation War.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 7.7 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Finnish two-seat low-wing monoplane trainer
- Tandem open cockpits with glazed canopy
- Served Finnish Air Force through WWII
Clean low-wing monoplane trainer with tandem cockpits under a long greenhouse canopy, retractable undercarriage, and the squared-off wingtips typical of Finnish VL designs.
Specifications
- The VL Pyry has a length of 7.7 m (25 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 9.8 m (32 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 330 km/h (205 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Designed to provide Finnish pilots with transition training to high-performance monoplanes, the Pyry combined good handling qualities with respectable performance. It was designed and built entirely in Finland as part of the country's drive for military self-sufficiency. Around 41 were built, and the type trained many pilots who went on to fly Brewster Buffalos and Messerschmitt Bf 109s.
Variants
A minor production change occurred with later aircraft but no separately designated variants were created.
Where you'll see it
Served the Finnish Air Force from 1939 through World War II and into the late 1940s as an advanced trainer.
Related aircraft
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