Aahhh gentlemen,
I've just read through the thread again and I reckon (as Jed Clampett might say) that there Deee Havilland Chipmunk has put a lot of people on course for a flying career. Or drawn the rest of us to engineering the beasts. Obviously many are drawn by the lure of the fast jet, I'm a committed F6 Lightning fan, but the Chippie has been the "Modus inlece" to draw us into the business of aviation. It's also interesting that many "pilots of senior age" have returned to the Chippie at the end of their careers, helping to pass whatever it is that "attracts", on to the youngsters. There's a most excellent thread on the Mil Forum that covers all you need to know about the Chipmunk.
There have been some great expressions, impressions and probably, "blimey I thought that as well" comments on this subject. It does rather say though that all of us were captured by the first flight we experienced, whatever the make or model. Thank you all for your contributions, it's very informative.
Smudge
