21 years ago, a 9 AEF (Finningley) Chipmunk was the first aircraft I ever flew in.
Happy memories, of waddling out like a pregnant duck and minding my step onto the black pads on the fabric wing. That smell others have mentioned previously. I was amazed how something looking so old and fragile can be so aerobatic. I have memories of a Seaking pilot flying a AEF chipmunk at a Kinloss summer camp and he had eyes in back of his head ( he knew when I was looking at the artificial horizon, was there a mirror in the front ?).
Years later, I remember seeing a Chimpunk at Cranwell or Bicster Gliding Club used for aero-tows. However it had an unusual cowling as a different engine was fitted.
Just out of interest, what is the going rate for buying a Chipmunk and what are the running costs like? Is ownership comparable to other light aircraft like Cessna 152 or does it need more TLC ?
Last edited by gr4techie; 16th Jun 2015 at 17:51.