VL Pyörremyrsky

VL Pyörremyrsky (Hurricane) was a Finnish fighter, designed by DI Torsti Verkkola at the State Aircraft Factory ("Valtion lentokonetehdas") for service with the Finnish Air Force in the second World War.

History

On November 26 1942 the Finnish Air Force ordered two "Pyörremyrsky" prototypes to be built. The aircraft were to be ready by May 1944. One prototype was later cancelled and only one aircraft was ever built. The aircraft designation "VMT Pyörremyrsky" is also sometimes used, as the factory had been formed into the State Metal Factories ("Valtion Metalli Tehtaat") during the construction of the aircraft.

The use of wood in the construction of the aircraft was maximised due to the sparseness of metals. The goal was to create a fighter with similar flight qualities as to the German Messerschmitt Bf 109G. The engine and the propeller were taken from the Bf 109G. The [landing gear was significantly widened in order to address one of the German fighter's most noteworthy shortcomings. This significantly eased ground control, as well as start and landing.

The "Pyörremyrsky" prototype PM-1 made its premier flight on November 21 1945 in Härmälä, piloted by Esko Halme. After 25 minutes of flying, a piece from the hood fell off and Halme had to land when fumes from the engine started to enter the cockpit. The pilot was saved by his oxygen mask. The aircraft were to fly only three test flights in Tampere, the third time being a transfer flight to Kuorivesi on January 16, 1946. There it flew an additional 31 test flights, the total flight time being 27 hours by 1947. The aircraft was flown by eight pilots: Esko Halme, Lauri Hämäläinen, Erkki Itävuori, Osmo Kauppinen, Lasse Heikinaro, Martti Laitinen, Heikki Keso and Lauri Lautamäki. The last flight lasted only 20 minutes and was made by captain Osmo Kauppinen on July 22 1947.

The "Pyörremyrsky" design was considered quite succerssful. It could outclimb the Bf 109G-6 and it was very manoeuvrable. The only major problem with the design was found in the low-quality glue used in the joints.

The aircraft was still in the prototype stage when the war ended and this also meant that the funds allocated for the project decreased. The "Pyörremyrsky" prototype was grounded after only some 30 hours of flying and the programme terminated as no funds were available for the purchase of new aircraft for the Finnish Air Force and sufficient Bf 109Gs remained in service to equip the fighter force that was permitted under the Armistice terms. PM-1 was removed from FAF lists on April 1 1953. The wing construction was later used in another Finnish aircraft, the Valmet Vihuri trainer.

The PM-1 prototype can today be seen at the Central Finland Aviation museum in Tikkakoski.

pecifications (VL Pyörremyrsky)

aircraft specification

plane or copter?=plane
jet or prop?=prop
ref=
crew=One
length main=9.13 m
length alt=29 ft 11 in
span main=10.38 m
span alt=34 ft 1 in
height main=3.89 m
height alt=12 ft 9 in
area main=19.00 m²
area alt=204.5 ft²
empty weight main=
empty weight alt=
loaded weight main=
loaded weight alt=
max takeoff weight main=3,310 kg
max takeoff weight alt=7,300 lb
engine (prop)=Daimler-Benz DB 605A-1
type of prop=V-12
number of props=1
power main=1,100 kW
power alt=1,475 hp
power original=
max speed main=620 km/h
max speed alt=385 mi/h
at sea level=
at 4000 metres=
at 8000 metres=
max speed more=
cruise speed main=
cruise speed alt=
cruise speed more=
range main=
range alt=
range more=
ceiling main=11,250 m
ceiling alt=36,900 ft
climb rate main=18.5 m/s
climb rate alt=3,640 ft/min
loading main=
loading alt=
power/mass main=
power/mass alt=
Propeller=
Gun sight=
Radio=
armament=
*2× 12.7 mm LKK/42 machine guns

References

Notes

Bibliography

* Green, William. "War Planes of the Second World War, Fighters, Volume One". London: Macdonald & Co.(Publishers) Ltd., 1960. ISBN 0-356-01445-2.

External links

* Pictures of the VL "Pyörremyrsky": [http://www.virtualpilots.fi/feature/photoreports/blenheim2001/pm01.jpg] [http://www.virtualpilots.fi/feature/photoreports/blenheim2001/pm02.jpg] [http://www.virtualpilots.fi/feature/photoreports/blenheim2001/pm04.jpg] [http://www.virtualpilots.fi/feature/photoreports/blenheim2001/pm05.jpg] [http://www.virtualpilots.fi/feature/photoreports/blenheim2001/pm06.jpg] [http://www.virtualpilots.fi/feature/photoreports/blenheim2001/pm07.jpg]