What a good thread and excellent advice all round on an aeroplane which is likely to be over 50 years of age (and, unlike me, looks ever more elegant....!!!). I have been doing aeros in Chipmunks for longer than I care to think and plus 3.5 and minus 1.25 is perfectly adequate. Any negative G should be minimised and the throttle closed when the engine cuts until you are back into positive G.
Certain examples on the US register and operated in the ezperimental category were highly modified by guys like Art Scholl to be much stronger and fitted with larger flat six engines up to 260hp with C/S props. They were used for the type of manoevers flown at unlimited level in the late 1960's and early 1970's and mainly used for airshow work. I well remember Art flying in the UK in 1970 when the US team flew at Hullavington in that years WAC. His lomcavaks were awesome and flown at very low heights.
Nowadays stick to the standard level manoevers and you should not trouble the aeroplane. Treat it like your grandmother though she does like the occasional bit of blue beneath brown and green.
Better a short life in the saddle, Lord: than a long one by the fire..
Cheers,
Trapper 69
