Yes, I know it's really Canadian but the lump on the front and so many of its systems were dictated by the customer.
(quoting myself)
All the details about the ex-PZL designer and etc are also well known.
No-one has produced a Chippy without the maintenance overhead.
If it were just about flying a military trainer and enjoying the flying, I'd think I'd rather fly a T-34. If it were also about maintaining it, I'd think I'd rather have a T-34 notwithstanding the retractable gear. If the fun of having an antique style aircraft were also in the mix, I think the Chipmunk is a good choice similar to a Jungmann or other planes that outside of their aesthetic appeal and antiquey fun are a step down on the scale of overall merit. The T-34, despite being a contemporary of the Chipmunk does not have the same charm in its styling or appealingly delicate construction.