| Barry, 21.04.2016 14:58 More correctly identified as the Valmet Vihuri this plane was designed in 1950 in order to provide a new basic training aircraft for the Finnish Air Force. The first flight of this Tampella (Bristol) Mercury powered plane was on February 6 1951. The Finnish Air Force ordered 30 Vihuri II on 27th February 1951 and a further 20 Vihuri III in 1954.
The Vihuri gained a somewhat tarnished reputation through the number of fatal accidents that occurred and upon the death of the Finnish Prime Ministers son the fleet was grounded. Official investigations showed that the accidents were due in the main to pupil pilots flying outside of regulations and coupled with the worn out recycled ex Blenheim Mercury engines there was not a lot that could be done. One still remains extent in the Central Finland Aviation Museum.
Power plant 1 x 820 h.p. Bristol Mercury 9 cylinder radial.
Span 34'1" Length 28'9" Height 12'8" Wing area 203 sq ft
Empty weight 4,793 lb Max. take off weight 6,345 lb
Maximum speed 268 mph Cruising speed 203 mph Range 413 miles Service ceiling 29,190 ft reply |
