Chipmunk Is Beautiful
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Author of RAFM text?
Not the author, but I am he credited by Andrew Simpson with the provision of additional info. And for the record G-BZGB became F-AZQZ. 833 is now legally registered as NC 918HF and (unlike in the UK) I am obliged to carry the civil reg ... but I've hidden it pretty well! ;-) so she still looks pristine. Here we are at AirVenture 2010 (photo credit Mark Hrutkay, used with his permission).
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WP833 History
Dear WP833,
How fortunate you are to be the carer for such a smart looking Chipmunk. I flew her on six occasions between 1971 and 1973 on the University of London Air Squadron at White Waltham and Abingdon. ULAS moved from WW to Abingdon for summer camp 1973 and took up residence. The squadron re-equipped with the Bulldog that autumn and the Chipmunks began to disappear. Best of luck with the oil pressure snag.
Regards
RSuppards
How fortunate you are to be the carer for such a smart looking Chipmunk. I flew her on six occasions between 1971 and 1973 on the University of London Air Squadron at White Waltham and Abingdon. ULAS moved from WW to Abingdon for summer camp 1973 and took up residence. The squadron re-equipped with the Bulldog that autumn and the Chipmunks began to disappear. Best of luck with the oil pressure snag.
Regards
RSuppards
Join Date: May 2001
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The comments about canopies had my ageing brain cells flicker briefly into life. The RAF may not have used bubble canopies but they did exist in the UK.
Excuse me a second whilst I rummage around for some old photos (late 1960's)...
Most of my hours were flown in the Hawarden Aero Club aircraft, particularly G-BARS, now in the colours of the Portuguese Air Force. Sadly I never took any photos of it and can't find any on line. My apologies then for including an accurate but synthetic FS repaint.
Excuse me a second whilst I rummage around for some old photos (late 1960's)...
Most of my hours were flown in the Hawarden Aero Club aircraft, particularly G-BARS, now in the colours of the Portuguese Air Force. Sadly I never took any photos of it and can't find any on line. My apologies then for including an accurate but synthetic FS repaint.
An Interesting Chipmunk
Here's an interesting Chipmunk I saw recently while on holiday in Tauranga, NZ. Unfortunately, I was not able to get a flight in it, because the owner was away.
It is ZK-CVM, painted in a pseudo-Canadian colour scheme, but clearly not an ex-RCAF machine. It has the gear-leg shrouds and throttle of a T10, but no anti-spin strakes and has a bubble canopy.
A web-search
(http://homepages.paradise.net.nz/~tuff/Articles/ChipmunkCVM.html
indicates that it was built in Canada and delivered to India as VH-CVM. It was imported to NZ in 1994 and was rebuilt with a new bubble canopy (and the gear-leg shrouds?)
It is ZK-CVM, painted in a pseudo-Canadian colour scheme, but clearly not an ex-RCAF machine. It has the gear-leg shrouds and throttle of a T10, but no anti-spin strakes and has a bubble canopy.
A web-search
(http://homepages.paradise.net.nz/~tuff/Articles/ChipmunkCVM.html
indicates that it was built in Canada and delivered to India as VH-CVM. It was imported to NZ in 1994 and was rebuilt with a new bubble canopy (and the gear-leg shrouds?)
India Four Two:
It is indeed an interesting Chipmunk!
ZK-CVM is Can.34, one of 12 aircraft built in Canada for the Indian DGCA in 1958, being registered in India as VT-CVM. (I suspect your use of VH-CVM was a typo).
It is a DHC-1A-2, a sort of “half-way house” between the simple DHC-1A-1 and the far more capable DHC-1B or (in the UK) the Chipmunk T.10/Mk.20 series. Fitted with a Gipsy-Major 10 Mk.1-3 engine, which had an accessory drive case, this aircraft sported the full blind-flying panel including vacuum driven DG’s and AH’s. But it still had the lighter centre-section, and thus retained the DHC-1A-1’s weight and aerobatic limitations.
One sure give-away that it’s not what its colour scheme purports it to be (i.e. a bubble canopied DHC-1B-S3 or -S5) is that this aircraft lacks the deeper cowl with the distinct step on the underside. Difficult to tell, but it also seems to retain the original narrow-chord rudder.
So, the gear leg fairings and (I think) T.10 throttle quadrant are indeed correct for the DHC-1A-2, while no Canadian-built Chipmunk had the strakes. The bubble canopy is clearly a later addition.
I'm going to Omaka next month and hope to meet the owner then!
It is indeed an interesting Chipmunk!
ZK-CVM is Can.34, one of 12 aircraft built in Canada for the Indian DGCA in 1958, being registered in India as VT-CVM. (I suspect your use of VH-CVM was a typo).
It is a DHC-1A-2, a sort of “half-way house” between the simple DHC-1A-1 and the far more capable DHC-1B or (in the UK) the Chipmunk T.10/Mk.20 series. Fitted with a Gipsy-Major 10 Mk.1-3 engine, which had an accessory drive case, this aircraft sported the full blind-flying panel including vacuum driven DG’s and AH’s. But it still had the lighter centre-section, and thus retained the DHC-1A-1’s weight and aerobatic limitations.
One sure give-away that it’s not what its colour scheme purports it to be (i.e. a bubble canopied DHC-1B-S3 or -S5) is that this aircraft lacks the deeper cowl with the distinct step on the underside. Difficult to tell, but it also seems to retain the original narrow-chord rudder.
So, the gear leg fairings and (I think) T.10 throttle quadrant are indeed correct for the DHC-1A-2, while no Canadian-built Chipmunk had the strakes. The bubble canopy is clearly a later addition.
I'm going to Omaka next month and hope to meet the owner then!
(I suspect your use of VH-CVM was a typo)
Obviously it was a subliminal message to you to reply
Thanks for the info. I was surprised to discover that while I had taken multiple photos of other aircraft at the Tauranga museum, I have only this one of CVM. There is a better picture of the rudder here ( NZ Civil Aircraft: A very tidy unit. ) and a nice picture of the cockpit.
I couldn't fly CVM, because the owner was down-route on his day job and none of the instructors at Classic Flyers had been checked out.
It is in beautiful condition but a shame that the yellow is the wrong colour. It is more lemon-yellow than the picture shows. It should be more like the colour of the chocks.
After my post, I found this page ( De Havilland Canada DHC-1 Chipmunk ) showing another Chipmunk from the same batch, in a very sorry state.
Simon
PS "I suspect your use of 1958 was a typo"
Last edited by India Four Two; 2nd Mar 2011 at 00:33.
Thank you, India Four Two, for your reply.
The curse of typos – OF COURSE I meant 1948!
The photos on the NZ Civil Aircraft site show clearly the narrow-chord rudder and also the smaller DHC-1A elevator horns. I don’t know about you but I’m not that keen in dressing up aircraft to represent something they’re not – then again I’m probably a pedant and I guess the guy paying the bills can do what he likes! Nevertheless, it is indeed a very tidy unit.
I assume that when the blown canopy was fitted a DHC-1B windscreen was also fitted? The earlier Chippies had a distinctly narrower canopy cross-section (much more “pointy” at the top).
And as for the shots of the dilapidated Chipmunk on a pole in India – how very sad.
The curse of typos – OF COURSE I meant 1948!
The photos on the NZ Civil Aircraft site show clearly the narrow-chord rudder and also the smaller DHC-1A elevator horns. I don’t know about you but I’m not that keen in dressing up aircraft to represent something they’re not – then again I’m probably a pedant and I guess the guy paying the bills can do what he likes! Nevertheless, it is indeed a very tidy unit.
I assume that when the blown canopy was fitted a DHC-1B windscreen was also fitted? The earlier Chippies had a distinctly narrower canopy cross-section (much more “pointy” at the top).
And as for the shots of the dilapidated Chipmunk on a pole in India – how very sad.
I agree with you about "dressing up" aircraft. In this case, keeping the original greenhouse canopy and the naked gear legs would have made it unique. I suppose I'm a pedant too - having flown both the T10 and an RCAF DHC-1B, I appreciate the lines of both and I dislike seeing Shuttleworth's T10 in RCAF colours.
At least CVM looks, at first glance, similar to a 1B. I thought it was ex-RCAF until I saw the throttle quadrant and then I was confused.
The link I posted earlier states that the new canopy came from the US, so presumably it is for a 1B. If you meet the current owner in Omaka, perhaps you can ask him about the windscreen (or measure it)?
At least CVM looks, at first glance, similar to a 1B. I thought it was ex-RCAF until I saw the throttle quadrant and then I was confused.
The link I posted earlier states that the new canopy came from the US, so presumably it is for a 1B. If you meet the current owner in Omaka, perhaps you can ask him about the windscreen (or measure it)?
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'The Grasshoppers' Chipmunk aero team?
Looking at the flying programme for the RAF St Mawgan Battle of Britain celebrations on 16 September 1972 there is an item called "The Grasshoppers". The 'team' was from the East Midlands UAS (which I presume was on its Summer Camp?) and used four / five Chipmunk T.10s WG308, WP901:A, WZ878:M, WZ884:U and WP984:S Can anyone recall this team or its members.
Thank you in advance.
Thank you in advance.
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Most of my hours were flown in the Hawarden Aero Club aircraft, particularly G-BARS, now in the colours of the Portuguese Air Force. Sadly I never took any photos of it and can't find any on line. My apologies then for including an accurate but synthetic FS repaint.
Do you remember 'Black Jake' who ran the place back then? There were "do not" signs everywhere in the clubroom, and even a diagram to show us how he wanted cheques to be written-out! Needless to say, after he'd gone home at 5pm (he was a clock-watcher!) I'm told (ahem!) great fun flying down taxyways, around and over hangars etc was had! And low level 'straffing missions' at zero feet down the Dee Estuary, too!
All 'allegedly', of course.
India Four Two,
You're a lucky man to have flown both - in truth I've never even seen a DHC-1B in the flesh (there's only one in Australia, an -S2, not airworthy and hidden away).
Just to clarify, the DHC-1A-2's supplied to India were fitted at the factory with undercarriage leg fairings, though they seem of lesser chord than the UK-fitted ones.
I certainly will take a tape measure to Omaka! From Hugh Shields, the guru on Canadian Chipmunks, comes the suggestion that ALL Canadian Chipmunks had the narrower cross-sectioned windscreen. DHC's remedy to criticisms of the restrictive narrow canopy was the superb blown one. This still seems a simpler and far more elegant solution than that produced by DH in the UK. Apparently the original Canadian blown canopy doesn't match the UK-style windscreen; now possibly I have the explanation.
Cheers.
You're a lucky man to have flown both - in truth I've never even seen a DHC-1B in the flesh (there's only one in Australia, an -S2, not airworthy and hidden away).
Just to clarify, the DHC-1A-2's supplied to India were fitted at the factory with undercarriage leg fairings, though they seem of lesser chord than the UK-fitted ones.
I certainly will take a tape measure to Omaka! From Hugh Shields, the guru on Canadian Chipmunks, comes the suggestion that ALL Canadian Chipmunks had the narrower cross-sectioned windscreen. DHC's remedy to criticisms of the restrictive narrow canopy was the superb blown one. This still seems a simpler and far more elegant solution than that produced by DH in the UK. Apparently the original Canadian blown canopy doesn't match the UK-style windscreen; now possibly I have the explanation.
Cheers.
I must ask my Sister for my Father's log book.
He loved the Chipmunk, and used to fly himself around as part of his job at Elliott Automation.
I believe that would have been from Rochester. Does anyone know if it or they were Company owned or privately hired? He also flew Tiger Moths, probably from the same base.
Does anyone know? On Pprune? Silly question! You'll probably tell me his Mothers' maiden name and my inside leg.
He loved the Chipmunk, and used to fly himself around as part of his job at Elliott Automation.
I believe that would have been from Rochester. Does anyone know if it or they were Company owned or privately hired? He also flew Tiger Moths, probably from the same base.
Does anyone know? On Pprune? Silly question! You'll probably tell me his Mothers' maiden name and my inside leg.
I flew WP833 'K' on 4 occasions when I was a ULAS student:
28 Jun 72 at RAF Newton (solo GH, aeros and circuits)
6 Jul 72 at RAF Newton with Sqn Ldr Jim Sewell (Preliminary Flying Badge test - PASS!)
10 Dec 72 at RAF White Waltham (solo GH, aeros and circuits)
11 Jul 73 at RAF Abingdon (solo GH and circuits - my last trip as a ULAS student!)
I've just found this photo of her which I took at RAF Newton in June 1972:
Happy days!
28 Jun 72 at RAF Newton (solo GH, aeros and circuits)
6 Jul 72 at RAF Newton with Sqn Ldr Jim Sewell (Preliminary Flying Badge test - PASS!)
10 Dec 72 at RAF White Waltham (solo GH, aeros and circuits)
11 Jul 73 at RAF Abingdon (solo GH and circuits - my last trip as a ULAS student!)
I've just found this photo of her which I took at RAF Newton in June 1972:
Happy days!
Beagle,
As you say, happy days.
Operating off the grass at Summer Camps - it brings back the smell of Avgas, oil, new-mown grass and sweaty flying-suits!
As you say, happy days.
Operating off the grass at Summer Camps - it brings back the smell of Avgas, oil, new-mown grass and sweaty flying-suits!
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Please excuse me for butting in, but I am sure this will be of interest to you all.
There is to be a Chipmunk Fly In at Panshanger Aerodrome EGLG to mark the 65th anniversary of the first Chipmunk flown on Sunday 22nd May 2011. Please see ...
There is to be a Chipmunk Fly In at Panshanger Aerodrome EGLG to mark the 65th anniversary of the first Chipmunk flown on Sunday 22nd May 2011. Please see ...
www.chipmunk.aero
We've had 26 Chipmunks register so far, including the two BBMF ones.
Free bacon ciabattas for the pilot in command.
Free landings for Chipmunks.
Half-price Historic Aircraft Association membership on the day (i.e. £12.50)
Free membership of the flying club at Panshanger (incs 50% off landings and 10% off cafe purchases).
Some interesting Chipmunk talks and competitions are currently at the planning stages.
Free bacon ciabattas for the pilot in command.
Free landings for Chipmunks.
Half-price Historic Aircraft Association membership on the day (i.e. £12.50)
Free membership of the flying club at Panshanger (incs 50% off landings and 10% off cafe purchases).
Some interesting Chipmunk talks and competitions are currently at the planning stages.
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Arthur Kell
My apologies for not replying some time ago.
The Lancaster ferry flight to England was a few years before I was associated with Arthur and I am vague on the details, having received it second hand. I had heard he was part of the ferry crew and he was most certainly a very experienced Lancaster pilot.
It could be he was only photographed with the aircraft due his involvement with the dam buster squadron as Mickey Martin's replacement captain.
I would certainly be interested to hear any more details.
The Lancaster ferry flight to England was a few years before I was associated with Arthur and I am vague on the details, having received it second hand. I had heard he was part of the ferry crew and he was most certainly a very experienced Lancaster pilot.
It could be he was only photographed with the aircraft due his involvement with the dam buster squadron as Mickey Martin's replacement captain.
I would certainly be interested to hear any more details.
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dates and locations in which they may have flown in 833, in what capacity and with which unit
4 Aug 72: Squadron formation (6 Chipmunks) RAF Newton to RAF Bicester at the end of summer camp. (Dual with Sqn Ldr Jim Sewell.)
We were unable to get home to RAF White Waltham due to weather so landed at Bicester and continued by road in RAF transport. The aircraft were recovered to WW the next day.
Sadly, that was my last ULAS flight.
(But I did manage to wangle 2 summer camps that year.
) Happy days indeed, as BEagle and India Four Two say.