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VL Viima

VL Viima, constructed by the State Aircraft Factory (Finnish: Valtion lentokonetehdas or VL) is a Finnish two-seat, biplane trainer used by the Finnish Air Force from the late 1930s to the early 1960s. After military service, several were released into civil use.

The Viima II is a single-engined, tandem-seater biplane. Viima means Gale in English. Post-war, VL was eventually absorbed into Valmet, so the aircraft is often referred to as the Valmet Viima. It has unequal span, staggered single-bay wings built around two box spars with plywood ribs. The interplane struts are N-shaped. The wings are fabric covered and carry four ailerons in all; the upper and lower ailerons are externally linked.

The fuselage and tail unit are constructed of chrome-molybdenum steel and are fabric covered. The tailplane, mounted on top of the fuselage, is wire braced to the small triangular fin. Both the fin and the tailplane are adjustable when on the ground. The deep, wide-chord rudder reaches to the bottom of the fuselage between the divided elevators. The rudder carries a trim tab and the elevators a Flettner flap.

The cockpits are close together, the forward one is at mid-chord with a cut-out in the upper wing to enhance visibility. Dual controls are fitted. The undercarriage is of the split axle type, with the faired main legs attached to the fuselage forward of the wings and braced by rearward struts. It uses low-pressure tyres and rubber in compression springing. A tailwheel is fitted. The Viima is powered by an uncowled Siemens-Halske Sh 14 radial engine.

All Viimas of the Finnish Air Force were fitted with a framed cockpit in the 1950s.