VL Pyry

infobox Aircraft
name = Pyry
type = Reconnaissance/fighter
manufacturer = Valtion lentokonetehdas



caption = VL Pyry at the Finnish Aviation Museum
designer =
first flight = 29 March 1939
introduced = 1941
retired = 7 September 1962
number built = 41
status =Retired
unit cost =
variants with their own articles =
primary user =Finnish Air Force
more users =

VL Pyry was a Finnish low-winged, two-seated fighter trainer aircraft, built by the State Aircraft Factory ("Valtion lentokonetehdas") for use with the Finnish Air Force. The Pyry was in use from 1939 to 1962. The aircraft was a mixed construction of wood, steel, fabric, and duraluminium.

History

The Finnish Air Force ordered a prototype of the aircraft in 1937. It was to be called VL Pyry I and carried the identification number PY-1.

The chief designer was Arvo Ylinen, and the other persons of the design team were Martti Vainio, Torsti Verkkola, and Edward Wegelius. The first flight was made on March 29 1939 by the factory test pilot, Lieutenant Jorma Visapää. The FAF ordered 40 aircraft in May and the aircraft were quickly constructed and were ready in spring of 1941. These aircraft were know as VL Pyry II and their identification numbers were PY-2 - PY-41.

The first unit to be equipped with Pyrys was the Air Force School in Kauhava, in 1941. The aircraft was used to train pilots for 20 years and it was one of the most successful Finnish airplane constructions. Around 700 pilots were trained in the aircraft and the type accumulated over 56,000 flying hours. The first accident with a Pyry happened in March 1943, when major E.O. Ehrnrooth stressed the aircraft too hard. Ehrnooth, who was the commander of a Messerschmitt Bf 109, squadron died in the accident.

The last flight with the Pyry was made in Härmälä on 7 September 1962. Captain Veikko Hietamies was the pilot of the PY-1 and senior lieutenant Keijo Elio piloted the PY-27.

Operators

;FIN:Finnish Air Force

Specifications (VL Pyry)

aircraft specification

plane or copter?=plane
jet or prop?=prop
ref=
crew=Two
length main=7.70 m
length alt=25 ft 3 in
span main=9.80 m
span alt=32 ft 2 in
height main=
height alt=
area main=
area alt=
empty weight main=
empty weight alt=
loaded weight main=
loaded weight alt=
max takeoff weight main=1,535 kg
max takeoff weight alt=3,380 lbs
engine (prop)=Wright Whirlwind R-975-E3 air cooled radial engine
type of prop=
number of props=1
power main=313 kW
power alt=420 hp
power original=
max speed main=
max speed alt=
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=
ceiling alt=
climb rate main=
climb rate alt=
loading main=
loading alt=
power/mass main=
power/mass alt=
Propellar=
Gunsight=
Radio=
armament=