Well this certainly brought back memories.
N.B. Exaviator, (anson) and I attended the same school, he some ten years before I.
I joined the Royal Navy in 1972 as a specialist in aviation on a short career commission. During my time at Britannia Royal Naval College Dartmouth I underwent the baptism of fire that all naval aviators of that time were subjected to.
Through June and July of 1972 I was given 12 hours 35 minutes on Chipmunks operated out of Roborough, Plymouth Airport, by way of an assessment of my suitability for the role as a naval aviator.
My instructors, Lt Cdr Pugh, Sq Ldr Greenhow and Lt Cdr Legat, rip all of them, deemed me capable of continuing training and I went on to Church Fenton. Not before Lt Cdr Pugh told me that "if I had any other way of earning a living, that i should consider taking that course".
Some airframe numbers from my log book of flights from Roborough, WP856, WK608, WK517, WP759, WD374 and WK634.
Church Fenton, or Royal Naval Elementary Flight Training School as it was then, was full a flight of over 20 Chipmunks. The instructors were a mixed bag of drivers from the Navy and the Airforce. My Instructor Lt Jennings was a Buccaneer man by trade, but I flew with others that were Lightning, Jaguar, Phantom and Vulcan drivers.
Some airframe numbers from my log book of flight from CF. WD363, WP831, WG306, WK628, WD371, WP924, WG348, WZ858, WD292, WG470 and on. I don’t recall a favourite, all I can remember is the way my instructors could coax amazing antics from such an aircraft.
Only one flight stands out in my recall, first solo spinning 14th June 1973, as I entered the manoeuvre a sharp clang from the back scared me to death. I returned to Rufforth only to be told that someone had left something in that little cubby hole at the back of the cockpit. It was this clanging around that had such an effect on me. I was simply told to go and repeat the exercise.
Rufforth, near York, was used as a satellite in those days. Probably a building site by now.
From here I went on to train on helicopters at Royal naval Air Station Culdrose, flying Hiller 12E and Whirlwind Mk7, but the Chipmunk was in my blood.
In 1977 I was posted to 705 Naval Air Squadron as an Instructor flying the Gazelle. During the weekends I flew as tug pilot for the Royal Navy Gliding School / Club based at Culdrose.
The tug was designated 586, I don’t know the airframe number, but I spent many many pleasant hours going up round and down at the behest of the gliding fraternity, didn’t even stop for lunch in those days, fish and chips on ones lap whilst working was common.
During my time in the Navy I mainly flew Wessex V but in a 25 year career in helicopters I flew over 20 types in many roles, from instruction to troop transport, air sea rescue, general charter, film work, police and air ambulance. Great times.
Now retired, I would really like to have another go at the Chipmunk, any offers?
Tony H