IVL Haukka

IVL Haukka
Haukka I HA-39 in Suomenlinna.
Role	Fighter
National origin	Finland
Manufacturer	Ilmailuvoimien lentokonetehdas (IVL)
Designer	Kurt Berger
First flight	17 March 1927
Introduction	1927
Status	Retired
Primary users	Finnish Air Force
Produced	1927
Number built	3
Variants	D.26 Haukka I D.27 Haukka II

The IVL Haukka (Hawk or Falcon) is a Finnish single-seat biplane fighter developed by Ilmailuvoimien lentokonetehdas (Aircraft Factory of the Air Force, IVL) in 1926-1927. It was intended to become the Finnish Air Force's new fighter, but lost to the Gloster Gamecock and was left in prototype stage.

History

The Haukka was designed by Kurt Berger in 1926 as his third attempt to create a potent fighter for the Finnish Air Force after the failure of the IVL C.24 and the C.25. The Haukka utilized a Gnome-Rhône (Bristol) Jupiter engine and British design features. The prototype D.26 Haukka I, coded HA-39, flew for the first time on 17 March 1927. It was compared to a British Gloster Gamecock, and the two aircraft were found to be mostly equal. This was the only time in history that a Finnish fighter was a match for a modern foreign fighter. However, the Haukka I was criticized for the very poor forward view downwards, as the upper wing was attached directly to the fuselage.

Berger responded with an improved version known as the D.27 Haukka II, with raised upper wings. The FAF ordered two in fall 1927, but eventually the Gamecock was chosen as the new fighter, as it had a better climb rate and the view from the cockpit was still better than in the Haukka II.

The Haukkas saw very little use. The Haukka I was damaged on 7 October 1927. It was repaired, but never flown again, instead serving as a static demonstration tool. The first Haukka II's (HA-40) career ended when it rolled over on 7 July 1930. The second Haukka II (HA-41) made its final flight on 8 October 1930 after being damaged twice. The Haukka IIs were officially written off in 1933.

Survivors

• D.26 Haukka I HA-39 is at the Päijänne Tavastia Aviation Museum in Asikkala. It was restored in 2014.
• D.27 Haukka II HA-41 is at the Hallinportti Aviation Museum in Jämsä.

Specifications (D.26 Haukka I)

• Crew: 1
• Length: 6.6 m (21 ft 8 in)
• Wingspan: 9.6 m (31 ft 6 in)
• Height: 2.8 m (9 ft 2 in)
• Wing area: 24 m² (260 sq ft)
• Empty weight: 940 kg (2,072 lb)
• Gross weight: 1,290 kg (2,844 lb)
• Powerplant: 1 × Gnome-Rhône 9Ac Jupiter 9-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engine, 414 hp (309 kW)
• Propeller: Two-bladed fixed pitch propeller

• Maximum speed: 249 km/h (155 mph, 134 kn)
• Service ceiling: 7,900 m (25,900 ft)