Perhaps our good friend Dora-9 who is a renowned authority on Australian Chipmunks, knows more here.
Flattery, Coff, as you well know, will get you everywhere! Here are the histories I have for those two Chipmunks:
C1-0081 DHB.f.14
T.10
WB638
05.06.1950 Delivered
09.06.1950 18 RFS, Fairoaks
14.06.1951 15 RFS, Redhill
11.11.1953 20 MU, Aston Down
17.08.1955 Non effective stock
11.09.1956 Sold to WS Shackleton Ltd dismantled at Ashton Down by
Helliwells Ltd.
VH-BVR
10.01.1957 Goulburn Aero Club,
Goulburn NSW.
19.01.1957 Spun in SE of Goulburn NSW
20.01.1957 SOR
“Crashed about one mile SE of Goulburn Aerodrome. The Chipmunk had only arrived at the club some two weeks ago and was being flown by Stephen Joseph Sykes (36) president of the Aero Club with passenger Selwyn William Jolly. At about 2000 feet, entered a spin, failed to pull out and crashed into ‘Newacres’, a property owned by former Governor-General Sir William McKell. Sykes was ex-RAAF and had flown with 455 Squadron on Beaufighters earning a DSO and a DFC.” (
Sydney Morning Herald 20.01.57)
John Willis (former LaTrobe Valley Aero Club CFI) advises that this aircraft was initially purchased by LVAC, but was sold on by them with the aircraft still crated.
C1-0082 DHB.f.15
T.10
WB639
01.06.1950 Delivered
09.06.1950 18 RFS, Fairoaks
21.07.1953 9 MU, Cosford
21.07.1953 20 MU, Aston Down
17.08.1955 Non effective stock
11.09.1956 Sold to WS Shackleton Ltd,
dismantled at Ashton Down
by Helliwells Ltd.
VH-RNF*
19.09.1958 ATR Royal Newcastle Aero Club
Broadmeadow NSW.
09.12.1961 Lost power after T/off,
West Maitland NSW.
14.12.1961 SOR
*Second use- see also C1-0467
“Engine failed on take-off from West Maitland Aerodrome & the aircraft crashed in an adjoining paddock. Pilot & passenger escaped serious injury, but ‘RNF was extensively damaged.” (
AHSA Journal Dec 1961).
Now, the photo larder is rather bare here - no photos of either WB638 or WB639, nor any of VH-BVR (hardly surprising considering that it was in service for a mere 10 days!). But I do have a photo of the RNAC's first VH-RNF.
I hope this fills in a few corners.