VL Tuisku

The VL Tuisku was a Finnish trainer aircraft developed in the 1930s by Arvo Ylinen at the Valtion lentokonetehdas (VL). It was a two-seat, single-engined biplane constructed with a welded steel framework and fabric covering. Designed for the Finnish Air Force (FAF), it featured three variants: maritime, pilot training, and reconnaissance. Thirty units were produced between 1935 and 1937.

The Tuisku entered service in 1935 and remained operational until 1949. Initially equipped with wheels or floats, all aircraft transitioned to wheels by November 1939. Post-World War II, some were retired while others served as liaison aircraft. By 1948, only two were airworthy, and the last official flight occurred in January 1950. The FAF officially retired the Tuisku in December 1952.

Eleven Tuiskus were lost in accidents, resulting in eight fatalities. Today, one example is preserved at the Vantaa Museum of Aviation, another fuselage is stored, and a third remains in Tampere.

The Tuisku was powered by an Armstrong Siddeley engine and featured specifications including a two-seat configuration, various dimensions, weight stats, fuel capacity, and performance metrics such as speed, range, endurance, ceiling, and climb rate. The Tuisku/T variant included armament for training purposes.