Just read/re-read the whole thread through from the start. It prompted me to get my old logbook out, and brought back a lot of memories.
I did my my solo on type in WK608 (now RNHF), in 1981 and totalled around 50 hours on the Britannia Flight Chippy's. I had the misfortune to be (nominally) Captain of Flying at BRNC in a term when the defence budget had been slashed and recreational flying curtailed, but made up for it by going back every leave I could for a year or two after I left BRNC.
My last Chipmunk flight was a couple of weeks ago, at Camden, NSW. After a few years flying Pitts S-2C I found it quite a challenge getting the speed down on finals - but what fantastic control harmonisation. I opted to fly from the rear seat (with an instructor in the front) being more used to this position from my Pitts flying. Compared to the Pitts, even the rear seat has great visibility....