Taistelukärki

Taistelukärki is a Finnish term that translates to "battlehawk" or "combat hawk." It most commonly refers to a specific type of Finnish light attack aircraft, the VL Pyörremyrsky, which was developed during World War II. While often referred to colloquially as Taistelukärki, its official designation is Pyörremyrsky. The aircraft was designed as a successor to the Curtiss Hawk 75A, a fighter aircraft of American origin that Finland had acquired.

The development of the Pyörremyrsky began in 1942, with the aim of creating a more capable fighter aircraft for the Finnish Air Force. It was a low-wing monoplane powered by a Pratt & Whitney R-1830 Twin Wasp radial engine. The design incorporated several advanced features for its time, including a stressed skin construction and retractable landing gear. Its intended role was as a fighter and interceptor, capable of engaging enemy aircraft.

Despite the promising design, only one prototype of the Pyörremyrsky was completed before the end of World War II. The aircraft never entered mass production due to the changing circumstances of the war and the availability of other aircraft types. The sole prototype flew for the first time in 1945. Although it did not see combat service, the Taistelukärki, or Pyörremyrsky, remains an interesting example of Finnish aviation engineering during a critical period. The project showcased the capabilities of Finnish designers and engineers in developing indigenous military aircraft.