Valmet L-70 Vinka
| L-70 Vinka | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Role | Trainer |
| Manufacturer | Valmet |
| First flight | 1 July 1975 |
| Introduction | 1980 |
| Status | Operational |
| Primary user | Finnish Air Force |
| Number built | 30 |
| Variants |
Valmet L-80 Turbo-Vinha Valmet L-90 Redigo |
The Valmet L-70 Vinka is a Finnish-designed piston-powered military basic trainer aircraft of the 1970s. A production run of 30 aircraft were built for the Finnish Air Force, in the early 1980s, and although the type was not exported, it formed the basis of the turboprop-powered Aermacchi M-290 RediGO
The Finnish state-owned manufacturing conglomerate Valmet Oy began design work in September 1970 on a replacement for the Saab Safirs then in use with the Finnish Air Force as basic trainers. Valmet received an order from the Finnish Air Force for further development of the LEKO-70 (Lentokone (Aeroplane) 1970) in March 1973. The first prototype made its maiden flight from Halli Airport for the first time on 1 July 1975.
The aircraft is a low-winged tractor monoplane of all metal construction and with a fixed nosewheel undercarriage. It is powered by a single 200 hp (149 kW) Lycoming O-360 flat-four piston engine driving a two bladed propeller. In its main training role, the pupil and instructor sit side-by-side under a large sliding canopy. An additional two seats or a stretcher and medical attendant can be carried for the liaison role, while the wings are fitted with four hardpoints for carrying of external stores.
The Finnish Air Force placed an order for 30 aircraft, to be designated Vinka (Blast (of wind)) on 28 January 1977, with the aircraft to be built at Valmet's Kuorevesi plant.
The Vinka entered service on 13 October 1980 with deliveries continuing until 1982. Finnish Air Force pilot trainees flew about 100 hours on the Vinka at the Air Academy at Kauhava before converting to the British Aerospace Hawk jet trainer.
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Wikipedia