03/31/2022. Remarks by Kees Kort: "Formed by the Finnish Air Force, the Ilmailuvoimien Lentokonetehdas (Air Force Aircraft Factory, often abbreviated to I.V.L or IVL) began operations at Suomenlinna in 1921. The name of the factory changed to Valtion Lentokonetehdas (State Aircraft Factory, often abbreviated to V.L. or VL) on February 23, 1928, when the factory was transferred from the Air Force to the Ministry of Defense.

In 1926, Asser Järvinen, director of the I.V.L., designed a prototype high wing monoplane, identified as the K.1 Kurki (Crane), without a commission from the Ministry of Defense. In January 1927, the Ministry funded a budget to build the prototype, and the four-seat aircraft was intended for liaison and training purposes. Powered by a Siemens-Halske Sh 12 nine-cylinder air-cooled radial engine, rated at 120 hp, the first flight took place on March 20, 1927, with I.V.L. test pilot Georg Jäderholm at the controls. Due to its boxy appearance the Kirki was nicknamed "Järvinen laatikko" ("Järvinen's Box"). The initial flights revealed that modifications were needed to improve the flying characteristics.

(Johan Visschedijk Collection)

These flights were made with a wheel landing gear, later the aircraft was fitted with floats for sea experiments but this proved unsuccessful. Thereafter the Kurki was also flown with a ski landing gear.

After 55 short test flights, lasting a total of only 13 h 19 min, the Kurki project ended in September 1927. The Ministry of Defense was not satisfied with the projects significant cost overruns and granted no further development funding. The aircraft was stored in a hangar and never seen or flown till …. a Finnish restoration group started resurrecting the aircraft in 2016. After spending ca. 4,000 hours this enthusiast group came up with a restored Kurki, although without its Siemens engine, which was probably used between 1927 and 2015 for other purposes. The Kirki was put on display at the Päijänne-Tavastia Aviation Museum at Vesivehme on May 15, 2019.

A (Finnish spoken) video of the aircraft in its new surrounding came be seen at Sivet Wings.

Span: 40 ft 4.25 in (12.30 m)
Length: 24 ft 8.45 in (7.53 m)
Height: 8 ft 2.45 in (2.50 m)
Wing area: 258.3 sq.ft (24.00 sq.m)
Empty weight: 363 lb (800 kg)
Loaded weight: 544 lb (1,200 kg)
Max speed: 88 mph (142 kmh) at ground level
Service ceiling: ca. 9,843 ft (3,000 m)