Happy 76th Birthday Chipmunk

[India Four Two]

On This Day : 22nd May 1946
1st flight of DHC.1 Chipmunk
The prototype DHC.1 Chipmunk, 'CF-DIO-X', the first aircraft designed by de Havilland Aircraft of Canada Ltd is first flown at Downsview, Toronto by W P I Fillingham.

I've always found it odd that Pat Fillingham made the trip from Hatfield to Downsview to make the first flight. There must have been several adequately-qualified local test pilots.

[Allan Lupton]

Can't ask WPIF himself of course, but perhaps his widow, Sonja, might know so I'll ask her sometime.

[WB627]

Published in the Daily Fail ..... would you expect anything less

NB ... This is the unarmed reconnaissance version that was used over Berlin

[India Four Two]

Allan,

Thank you. It would be interesting to know.

[Asturias56]

"NB ... This is the unarmed reconnaissance version "

Not the 6 cannon Interceptor either...............

[treadigraph]

Here is an excellent picture by Dave Welch of one of two (the other was 'KLY) I flew in with my dad at Nairobi Wilson in 1970 - well it's most of 'KLS, the rudder is off 'KLW, which doesn't appear in my dad's log book, possibly already supplying parts for her sisters at the Aero Club of East Africa.

Below is also 5Y-KLS in a picture taken by me at Tamiami in Florida in 1984, her Kenyan registration was still just visible on the skin! I was somewhat amazed! Not sure what the engine is but I believe she later was destroyed in an accident. Pic was scanned by somebody from a magazine article, not sure where the original is now...



A type I'd like to fly in again given the opportunity - I've not even seen one for several years though a couple fly out of both Biggin and Redhill.

[VictorGolf]

Jambo Treadi. I remember these club Chipminks but never flew in them as I was learning with Bosky on Cessna 150s, 5Y-KTE and 5Y-ADU I think. I believe there is somebody at Fenland who is offering flights in a Portugese marked Chipmunk. Might be worth a try.

[SWBKCB]

It's probably not very local (it's not local to many!), but Eshott north of Newcastle offer Chipmunk experience flights.

https://www.eshottairfield.com/chipmunk-flight

[Planemike]

Jambo Treadi...., Habari ??!!

Wonderful shot of 5Y-KLS, with a bit of -KLW!! Whilst we are looking at Kenyan registered Chipmunks, wonder if there is anyone out there who can furnish me with photos of VP-KLN, VP-KLT, VP-KLU & VP-KLV ??? Twelve Chippies were registered in Kenya in 1953 ex Rhodesian Air Training Group .

[Warmtoast]

Originally Posted by Planemike

Jambo Treadi...., Habari ??!!

Wonderful shot of 5Y-KLS, with a bit of -KLW!! Whilst we are looking at Kenyan registered Chipmunks, wonder if there is anyone out there who can furnish me with photos of VP-KLN, VP-KLT, VP-KLU & VP-KLV ??? Twelve Chippies were registered in Kenya in 1953 ex Rhodesian Air training Group .

I've posted here on PPRuNe quite few photos of Chippies I photo'd in S. Rhodesia (5 FTS - RAF Thornhill) between 1951 - 1953..
Do a search for Chipmunks by me WT and you may see what you're looking for, albeit they had their RAF serials and may possibly add up to the aircraft you're interested in.
WT

[Planemike]

WT....... Thank you for your suggestion. I will see if my search skills are up to the task....!! The twelve Chippies were sold to the Trans-Nzoiia Flying Group of Kitale KENYA. I wonder if you happen to know whether they had their VP-K** registrations applied before they left Rhodesia...?? Thanks again......PM

[treadigraph]

Originally Posted by Planemike

Jambo Treadi...., Habari ??!!

Mzuri sana!

Thanks guys, I shall look into things in due course...

[Warmtoast]

Originally Posted by Planemike

WT....... Thank you for your suggestion. I will see if my search skills are up to the task....!! The twelve Chippies were sold to the Trans-Nzoiia Flying Group of Kitale KENYA. I wonder if you happen to know whether they had their VP-K** registrations applied before they left Rhodesia...?? Thanks again......PM

Sorry can't help. I do know that when the RATG closed down in 1953 dozens of the RAF Chipmunks on strength were shipped to Australia and sold to clubs etc.
WT

[Planemike]

Originally Posted by Warmtoast

Sorry can't help. I do know that when the RATG closed down in 1953 dozens of the RAF Chipmunks on strength were shipped to Australia and sold to clubs etc. WT

Thanks for reply. I guess we may never know...!! I am pretty sure a batch of six Tiger Moths from the same source, registered VP-KJV - VP-KKA in June 52 were painted up in Rhodesia before they were ferried north to Kenya....