VL Kotka explained

VL Kotka ("Eagle") was a Finnish two-seat, biplane maritime patrol aircraft, designed and built by the Finnish: [[Valtion lentokonetehdas]] or VL ("State Aircraft Factory"). It was meant as a cheaper replacement (compared to the Blackburn Ripon) for the outdated IVL A.22 Hansas that were in service with the Finnish Air Force.^[1]

The prototype made its first flight on September 30, 1930. In 1931, the State Aircraft Factory began production of a series of five aircraft. These were used as liaison aircraft until 1944.^[2]

One aircraft (KA-147) is on display at the Päijät-Häme Aviation Museum.^[3]

Versions

• VL E.30 Kotka prototype KA-144 - this machine was built by the Finnish Government Aircraft Works, and was a prototype fitted with floats and a Bristol "Jupiter IV" engine.
• VL E.30 Kotka I KA-145, 147 & 148 - three of the production aircraft (KA-145 – KA-148) fitted with regular landing gear (and could equip skis) and Wright R-1820-E Cyclone radial engines, 429 kW (575 hp).
• VL E.30 Kotka I KA-146 - this machine was a Kotka I fitted with the same or very similar floats to the ones the KA-144 Kotka prototype had.
• VL E.31 Kotka II KA-149 - the last, more modified series production aircraft fitted with a Pratt & Whitney R-1690-B Hornet engine, (575 hp).
• VL E.32 Kotka III - cancelled third series due to the type being outdated.

Operators

• Finnish Air Force.

References

Citations

• Book: Raunio, Jukka. Valtion Lentokonetehtaan historia. Osa 1: Pioneerivuodet 1921–1932. Forssan Kirjapaino Oy, Forssa. 2005. 951-96866-6-5 . fi.
• Book: Keskinen, Kalevi, Niska, Klaus & Stenman, Kari. Suomen ilmavoimien historia 15 - Meritoimintakoneet. Tampere. Apali Oy. 1995. 952-5026-03-5 . fi.

Notes and References

1. Web site: Ilmavoimien käyttämät konetyypit 1930-luku. PDF. 3. puolustusvoimat.fi. Suomen puolustusvoimat. 21 June 2015 . fi.
2. Raunio 2005: pp. 154–159
3. Web site: VL E.30 Kotka II . lahdenilmasilta.fi . Lahden Ilmasilta . 21 June 2015 . fi . https://web.archive.org/web/20140413140853/http://www.lahdenilmasilta.fi/museo_vle30_kotka.html#vle30_kotka . 13 April 2014 . dead . dmy-all .