The Valmet L-80 TP Turbo-Vinha was a prototype for a new Finnish turboprop basic trainer aircraft. The aircraft, which carried the registration OH-VBB, first flew on 12 February 1985.[1] It was destroyed in a crash on 24 April 1985, during its 14th flight, killing the test pilot Paavo Janhunen. The aircraft was a further development of the Valmet L-70 Vinka and would eventually lead to the Valmet L-90 Redigo.
The Allison turboprop engine was used in the second aircraft, the L-80 TP Turbo-Vinha (OH-VTM) which was destroyed during an aerial display in Belgium. The third of the series (OH-VTP) got the new name Redigo or RediGo (used in sales brochures).
Specifications (L-80 TP)
Data fromValmet's Turbotrainer,[2] Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1984–85[3]
Take-off distance to 15 m (49 ft): 345 m (1,132 ft)
Landing distance from 15 m (49 ft): 350 m (1,150 ft)
Armament
Hardpoints: 4 with a capacity of Maximum 600 kg (1,323 lb) ; inboard pylons 250 kg (551 lb) ; outboard pylons 150 kg (331 lb), with provisions to carry combinations of:
Rockets: 37mm or 68 mm rocket pods
Missiles: anti-helicopter missiles
Bombs: 250 kg (551 lb) bombs
Other: various machine-gun pods, flares searchlight pods
Green, William and Gordon Swanborough. "Valmet's Turbotrainer...A Northern Newcomer with Tradition". Air International. March 1986, Vol 30 No 3. pp. 111–117. ISSN0306-5634.