Chipmunk Viability

[AntiCrash]

If one were to buy a Chipmunk, would there be problems getting airframe and engine parts? Does anyone have experience along these lines?

[Genghis the Engineer]

People to ask would be DHSL - de Havilland Support Ltd, based at Duxford.

G

[Fokkerwokker]

The Aircraft Restoration Company at Duxford have a lot of experience with Chipmunks. They will be happy to answer your questions.

Tel 01223 835313

www.arc-duxford.co.uk

[Warped Factor]

There are a few stockists of Chipmunk parts here and in the States though some parts are getting harder to source.

The Chipmunk Club can also help find parts and there's also an embryonic Chipmunk mailing list run by a French owner that has seen various parts offered for sale.

de Havilland Support I belive are arranging the manufacture of some new, hard to get, parts.

WF.

[RileyDove]

The Chipmunk is fairly well supported in the U.K spares wise with a number of stockists for the major items. Items which are causing concern are fuel tanks and tailplane support tubes and I guess the likelyhood is that a batch of both will be made in the next few years.
It's critical to have someone check the paperwork reflects the actual aircraft and to make sure that the fatigue calculations
are correct. If you wish for any more information please contact me.

[AntiCrash]

Thank you for your input. I'm selling my Cessna 182 and I thought a Chipmunk would something to look into. I'm a little afraid of having trouble finding parts in the States. What is the TBO for the engine? There is one here with 1400 hrs and a top overhaul not long ago.

[RileyDove]

The engine is good for about 2000 hrs before major overhaul. Depending on the reasons for the top overhaul - she might have had the ring modification carried out that introduces a modern
oil ring . That dramatically improves oil consumption.
I would investigate the aircraft to a great degree - the paperwork is very important . Also areas for close inspection include the rear fuselage bulkhead -fin rudder attachment bracket area and a good inspection of the firewall.
It's worth pointing out that the Chipmunk in standard form
has only eighteen gallons capacity so don't expect to go too far!
It does however have great flying characteristics .
I supply two Chipmunk owners in the USA with parts so there isn't any great difficulty in keeping them airworthy.
Please contact me at [email protected] if you need some help.

[Guern]

Jersey aeroclub hire one out.

http://www.jerseyaeroclub.com

They might be able to help.

I have fond memories of AEF flights in the Chippie in the 80's when I was in CCF.

[AntiCrash]

Thanks for all the info. I can see I'm going to have to spend some time getting an education. Insofar as the 18 gallon tank goes my 182 has 80 gallons so I'm also going to have to be reprogramming my it's time to land now genes.

[chipmunkbob]

I've been operating ex-WK639 here in the Puget Sound Region of the USA for a little over 5 years now. Never had a problem getting spares. They are a tough airplane. I would recommend getting one that saw service until the mid-90's. What you trade for higher airframe hours is a higher state of modification. The Gipsy TBO is officially 1500 but the RAF ran theirs to 2250. I've heard of people running them past that on condition inspections.

The airplane really is a lot of fun to fly. There is a mod to give about 28 US gallons over the standard 21.7 US gallons (18 Imperial gallons). I'll probably do this next January at the next annual when we do a wing recover.

If you have any questions please feel free to drop me a line. I have purchased www.dhc-1.com and plan on putting a website up soon. The Chipmunk club doesn't have one.

[Spodman]

...a top overhaul not long ago... Which end is actually the top???

[ORAC]

The top end is the one over the bottom end. The bottom end is the one under the top. The big end I think goes in the bottom. Oh errrrr....... :uhoh:

[Dan Winterland]

The RAF engine replacement interval was normally 1500, but then on extensions based on compression checks. However, in the unit I was on, flying chippies conductiong flying training with the aircraft being worked hard and the engines frequently over revved during aeros, the engines often didn't make it past a thousand.

[Shaggy Sheep Driver]

Which end is actually the top???

The Chipy's engine is inverted, so the Top End (the valvegear and rockers) is at the bottom of the engine. the Bottom End (crankshaft, main bearings, and big ends) is at the top.

SSD