Designed by De Havilland Canada - the DHC1 Chipmunk first flew on 22nd May 1946
The de Havilland Canada DHC-1 Chipmunk is a tandem, two-seat, single-engined primary trainer aircraft which was the standard primary trainer for the Royal Canadian Air Force, Royal Air Force and several other air forces through much of the post-Second World War years. The de Havilland Chipmunk was the first postwar aviation project of de Havilland Canada
The RAF received 735 Chipmunks, designated de Havilland Chipmunk T.10, manufactured in the UK by the de Havilland parent company to specification 8/48 as a Tiger Moth replacement. Production began at the DH Hatfield factory but soon transferred to their plant at Hawarden Airport at Broughton near Chester. They initially served with Reserve Flying Squadrons (RFS) of the RAF Volunteer Reserve (VR) as well as the University Air Squadrons. A few Chipmunks were pressed into service in Cyprus on internal security flights during the conflict in 1958. From 1956 to 1990 the Chipmunks of the RAF Gatow Station Flight were used for covert reconnaissance by BRIXMIS over the Berlin area.[3] Chipmunk T.10s were also used by the Army Air Corps and Fleet Air Arm for primary training.
The de Havilland Canada DHC-1 Chipmunk is a tandem, two-seat, single-engined primary trainer aircraft which was the standard primary trainer for the Royal Canadian Air Force, Royal Air Force, Royal Navy, the British Army and several over forces around the world.
DHC1 SPECIFICATIONS
Top Speed – 140 mph
Range – 240 nautical miles
Weight – 1424 lbs
Wingspan – 34 feet 4 in
Length – 25 feet 5 in
Engine – de Havilland Gypsy Major
DHC1 SPECIFICATIONS
Top Speed – 222 Km/h
Range – 445 km
Weight –646 kg
Wingspan – 10m
Length – 7.75 m
Engine – de Havilland Gypsy Major
Chipmunks remained service with ATC Air Experience Flights until 1996 (the final AEF to use the Chipmunk was No. 10 Air Experience Flight, RAF Woodvale) when they were replaced by the Bulldog. The last Chipmunks in military service are still operated by the British historic flights – the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (including one of the Gatow aircraft), the Royal Navy and Army historic flights, to keep their pilots current on tailwheel aircraft. The cockpit sections of some former RAF Chipmunks have been used as ground training aids. These are colloquially known as "Chippax" trainers.