VL Humu
{{Short description|Finnish World War II-era fighter aircraft}}
{{redirect|Humu|the Congolese ethnic group|Amba people|the software company|Humu (software)}}
{{Infobox aircraft
|name = Humu
|image = VL Humu Keski-Suomen ilmailumuseo 1.JPG
|caption = The sole VL Humu at Central Finland Aviation museum
|type = Fighter aircraft
|national_origin = Finland
|manufacturer = VL
|designer =
|first_flight = 8 August 1944
|introduction =
|retired =
|status = Cancelled
|primary_user = Finnish Air Force
|more_users =
|produced =
|number_built = 1
|program cost =
|unit cost =
|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.{{cite web | url=https://www.militaryfactory.com/aircraft/detail.php?aircraft_id=1585 | title=VL Humu Fighter Prototype }}
Design and development
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.{{cite web | url=http://www.aviastar.org/air/finland/vl_humu.php | title=VL Humu - fighter }}
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 930 hp 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.{{cite web | url=http://www.aviastar.org/air/finland/vl_humu.php | title=VL Humu - fighter }}
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 {{convert|250|kg|lb|abbr=on|0}} 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.{{cite web | url=https://www.militaryfactory.com/aircraft/detail.php?aircraft_id=1585 | title=VL Humu Fighter Prototype }}
Operators
;{{FIN}}
Aircraft on display
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.Dann, Richard S. and Steve Ginter, Brewster F2A Buffalo and Export Variants, Simi Valley, CA: Ginter Publications, 2017
Specifications (VL Humu)
{{Aircraft specs
|ref=https://www.militaryfactory.com/aircraft/detail.php?aircraft_id=1585
|prime units?=met
|crew=1
|length m=8.03
|length note=
|span m=10.67
|span note=
|height m=3.66
|height note=
|wing area sqm=19.4
|wing area note=
|aspect ratio=
|airfoil=root: NACA 23018; tip: NACA 23009{{cite web |last1=Lednicer |first1=David |title=The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage |url=https://m-selig.ae.illinois.edu/ads/aircraft.html |website=m-selig.ae.illinois.edu |access-date=16 April 2019}}
|empty weight kg=1,950
|empty weight note=
|gross weight kg=
|gross weight note=
|max takeoff weight kg=2,900
|max takeoff weight note=
|fuel capacity=
|more general=
|eng1 number=1
|eng1 name=Shvetsov M-63
|eng1 type=9-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engine
|eng1 kw=746
|eng1 note=
|prop blade number=3
|prop name=variable-pitch propeller
|prop dia m=
|prop dia note=
|max speed kmh=430
|max speed note=
|cruise speed kmh=
|cruise speed note=
|stall speed kmh=
|stall speed note=
|never exceed speed kmh=
|never exceed speed note=
|range km=1,250
|range note=
|combat range km=
|combat range note=
|ferry range km=
|ferry range note=
|endurance=
|ceiling m=8,000
|ceiling note=
|g limits=
|roll rate=
|climb rate ms=10.16
|climb rate note=
|time to altitude=
|wing loading kg/m2=
|wing loading note=
|fuel consumption kg/km=
|power/mass=
|more performance=
|guns= 2 × 12.7 mm LKk/42 machine guns
}}
See also
{{Portal|Aviation}}
{{aircontent
|related=
|similar aircraft=
|lists=
|see also=
}}
References
{{Reflist}}
Further reading
- {{cite book| first=Jukka |last=Raunio| title=Lentäjän näkökulma 2| publisher=J. Raunio| year=1993| isbn=951-96866-0-6}}
- {{cite book| first=Jukka |last=Raunio| title=Valtion Lentokonetehtaan historia. Osa 2: Tampereella ja sodissa 1933-1944| publisher=Jukka Raunio| year=2007| isbn=978-951-96866-8-4}}
- {{cite book|last1=Keskinen|first1=Kalevi|first2=Klaus|last2=Niska|first3=Kari|last3=Stenman|first4=Carl-Fredrik|last4=Geust| title=Suomen museolentokoneet| publisher=Tietoteos| year=1981| isbn=951-9035-60-5}}
- {{cite book |title="Puusiipi-Brewster", Part 1, Suomen Ilmailuhistoriallinen Lehti, 4/1998 |last= Manninen|first= Pentti|year= 1998|issn=1237-2315 |pages=10–14 }}
- {{cite book |title="Puusiipi-Brewster", Part 2, Suomen Ilmailuhistoriallinen Lehti, 1/1999 |last= Manninen|first= Pentti|year= 1999|pages=14–17 }}
External links
{{Commons category|VL Humu}}
- [http://www.airventure.de/tipps_zentralfinnisches_luftfahrtmuseum/Museum_Finnland_VL_Humu_A.jpg The VL Humu at Central Finland Aviation museum]
{{Valtion lentokonetehdas aircraft}}
Category:1940s Finnish fighter aircraft
Category:Single-engined tractor aircraft
Category:Aircraft first flown in 1944
Category:Aircraft with retractable conventional landing gear