| Humu | |
|---|---|
 | |
| The sole VL Humu at Central Finland Aviation museum | |
| Role | Fighter aircraft |
| National origin | Finland |
| Manufacturer | VL |
| First flight | 8 August 1944 |
| Status | Cancelled |
| Primary user | Finnish Air Force |
| Number built | 1 |
| Developed from | Brewster F2A Buffalo |
The VL Humu (Whirlwind) is a Finnish fighter aircraft, designed by Valtion lentokonetehdas in 1944, and based on the American Brewster F2A Buffalo. [1]
The Finnish Air Force had acquired 40+ surplus B-239 naval variants of the Brewster Buffalo and put them to good use during the Winter War, so it was decided in 1942 to produce a copy due to aircraft shortages. Chief designer Martti Vainio, along with designers Torsti Verkkola, Arvo Ylinen at Valtion Lentokonetehdas were tasked with designing the new aircraft as well as a replacement wing made of wood instead of metal. [2]
The Humu was largely constructed out of wood due to scarcity of metals, but the frame was made from steel and its design followed closely that of the Brewster. It was planned that captured Soviet engines and instrument panels would be used. It was powered by a 930hp Shvetsov M-63 engine, previously tested on a Brewster. The wooden wing added 250 kg of extra weight and moving the fuels tanks from the wing to the aft fuselage adversely affected maneuverability due to the center of gravity being shifted. [3]
The first flight took place on 8 August 1944. Later flight testing gave a total flight time of 19 hours and 50 minutes. The aircraft was 250 kg (551 lb) heavier than calculated, its engine was underpowered, and it was felt that the fighter would not be able to compete against enemy aircraft. The end of the Continuation War in September 1944, combined with the aircraft's poor performance, however, put the end to the project. [4]
Finland The sole Humu, HM-671, was placed in storage in 1945. It was restored between 1972 and 1974 and is displayed at the Central Finland Aviation museum. [5]
Data from https://www.militaryfactory.com/aircraft/detail.php?aircraft_id=1585
General characteristics
Performance
Armament
Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
Related lists
The Brewster F2A Buffalo is an American fighter aircraft which saw service early in World War II. Designed and built by the Brewster Aeronautical Corporation, it was one of the first U.S. monoplanes with an arrestor hook and other modifications for aircraft carriers. The Buffalo won a competition against the Grumman F4F Wildcat in 1939 to become the U.S. Navy's first monoplane fighter aircraft. Although superior to the Grumman F3F biplane it replaced, and the early F4Fs, the Buffalo was largely obsolete when the United States entered the war, being unstable and overweight, especially when compared to the Japanese Mitsubishi A6M Zero.
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VL Pyry was a Finnish low-winged, two-seated fighter trainer aircraft, built by the State Aircraft Factory 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.
VL Kotka ("Eagle") was a Finnish two-seat, biplane maritime patrol aircraft, designed and built by the Valtion lentokonetehdas or VL. It was meant as a cheaper replacement for the outdated IVL A.22 Hansas that were in service with the Finnish Air Force.
VL Sääski II was the first series-produced aircraft designed in Finland. The aircraft was built by the State Aircraft Factory and was a two-seat, biplane, single-engine trainer constructed out of wood.
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Valtion lentokonetehdas was a Finnish aircraft manufacturing company that was founded on 23 February 1928 from the IVL or I.V.L. factory, founded in 1921.
The Klimov M-103 is a V12 liquid-cooled piston aircraft engine used by Soviet aircraft during World War II.
Kurt Volmar Berger (1896–1977) was an aviation engineer and the chief designer at the Finnish aircraft manufacturing company Valtion Lentokonetehtaat.
The Eklund TE-1 was a Finnish-built single-seat flying boat of the late 1940s.
Lauri Nissinen was a World War II flying ace in the Finnish Air Force.
Nils Edward Katajainen was a Finnish fighter pilot and a Mannerheim Cross Knight. He held the military rank of sergeant. He flew 196 sorties and shot down 35 enemy aircraft.
