RAF Chipmunks
aceatco, retired
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Thought those on here would like to know a celebration of the first flight of the Chipmunk, 70 years ago, is planned at Old Warden, Bedfordshire, on May 22, 2016. This is not a Shuttleworth event so please don't call them.
Only Chipmunks being accepted at this stage, no landing fee. Free entry to the airfield for people arriving via surface transport (standard charges apply to the Collection and other attractions).
Follow the FB pages or email [email protected].
Only Chipmunks being accepted at this stage, no landing fee. Free entry to the airfield for people arriving via surface transport (standard charges apply to the Collection and other attractions).
Follow the FB pages or email [email protected].
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Many thanks for the heads-up Vintage ATCO 
Also for those checked-out on 'Twitter' see ...
@Chipmunk70th
Also for those checked-out on 'Twitter' see ...
@Chipmunk70th
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Back in 1952, flying from No2 BFTS Derby I did a cross country where the turning point was over one of the square bashing sites, forget which one. Did a stall turn to reverse direction, did not want to try aerobatics, might lose map.
Came out top of that course, but failed later when given something more difficult to play with (Oxford)
Came out top of that course, but failed later when given something more difficult to play with (Oxford)
Ref post #523:
Interesting to see that it hs been fitted with anti-spin strakes, which appeared on the RAF fleet around 1959, but still has the original short-chord rudder - which had been replaced somewhat earlier.
Interesting to see that it hs been fitted with anti-spin strakes, which appeared on the RAF fleet around 1959, but still has the original short-chord rudder - which had been replaced somewhat earlier.
Red On, Green On
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http://flyingfoxaviation.com/detail?id=47
this once in a life time oppertuinity to offer G-AKDN for sale to the public
Interesting to see that it hs been fitted with anti-spin strakes,
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Hueymeister ...
Given that G-AKDN was one of the two initial pre-production airframes, where she began trials testing in April 1948 and the fact that she was 'owned' by a member of the Derry Family ... I suspect one will require a very large sum of money. I'd also guess that being a pre-production airframe, despite any later mods during her lifetime, there may still be some servicing and maintenance idiosyncrasies to contend with ... Which more than likely will add to her running costs.
But let's hope someone will have the necessary resources to keep G-AKDN airworthy
Kenparry Just to add to Dora-9's comments if I may ...
The deeper chord rudder was a specific requirement issued by the RAF. Primarily to give greater control authority in keeping the nose up during slow rolls together with improved control during side slipping and X-Wind take-off and landing. This mod was not introduced to improve spin recovery ... but it did give 'improved' spin entry.
Best ...
Coff.
Up next ... For those interested, a bit of an update on the two remaining Chipmunks in RAF Mil Service.
Given that G-AKDN was one of the two initial pre-production airframes, where she began trials testing in April 1948 and the fact that she was 'owned' by a member of the Derry Family ... I suspect one will require a very large sum of money. I'd also guess that being a pre-production airframe, despite any later mods during her lifetime, there may still be some servicing and maintenance idiosyncrasies to contend with ... Which more than likely will add to her running costs.
But let's hope someone will have the necessary resources to keep G-AKDN airworthy
Kenparry Just to add to Dora-9's comments if I may ...
The deeper chord rudder was a specific requirement issued by the RAF. Primarily to give greater control authority in keeping the nose up during slow rolls together with improved control during side slipping and X-Wind take-off and landing. This mod was not introduced to improve spin recovery ... but it did give 'improved' spin entry.
Best ...
Coff.
Up next ... For those interested, a bit of an update on the two remaining Chipmunks in RAF Mil Service.
Last edited by CoffmanStarter; 8th Mar 2016 at 08:49.
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For those interested ... Here are some pics and narrative that attempt to record the further mods that have been carried out to WK518 and WG486 in the recent past. I would just caveat the following post by saying that the information has been drawn from various sources and interpreted with my best endeavours. I'm more than happy to receive corrections or additional information to help make the 'record' more complete
Image Credits (except the Avionics pic) : S. Elsworth BBMF Photographer.
External Fuselage Changes
I'm using WK518 as the example here ... I understand WG486 has a 'mirror' fit.
(1) The location of the external SSR/Transponder aerial.
(2) I believe this is the location of the Starboard FLARM aerial. This aerial is replicated on the Port side of the rear fuselage in the same relative position.
(3) I believe this is the location of the GPS Receiving aerial.
Internal Cockpit Changes
(4) Front Cockpit Artificial Horizon. I have included this pic mainly for it's curiosity value. If I remember correctly ... both Front and Rear Panels were equipped with the Mk1(e) Vacuum Driven AH ... which was a mod that introduced a 'Non-Toppling' AH to the UK Mil Chipmunk. However, it would appear that WK518, in this pic, has an earlier AH (possibly a Mk1(b)) fitted to the Rear Panel (5). The Front AH has a 'pivot' in the centre of the instrument glass supporting the 'gull wing' with the Horizon Bar 'broken'. The Rear AH doesn't have a 'pivot' and has a continuous Horizon Bar. If memory serves me correctly the fore-and-aft pivoting of the gyro prevented toppling during aerobatics ... But I'm sure someone with greater NavInst knowledge will elucidate further
It's quite possible that supplies of these rare vacuum Mk1(e) AH are such that priority might need to go to the BBMF Fighters ... just a thought
Image Credit : Unknown : Artificial Horizon Mk1(e)
Image Credit : Unknown : Artificial Horizon Mk1(b)
(6) I believe this is the location of the Mode S Transponder. Given the fit of 1950's Altimeters, I'm not certain how Height Encoding is achieved. It's possible that a separate Height Encoding unit is used or an interface with the GPS. Hopefully someone might know ?
Image Credit : Becker XPDR (Remote Head Close Up)
(7) This is the location of the combined Garmin Comms and GPS Nav. The model looks like the GNC250XL which provides 760 Chan VHF Comms (5 Watts). I'm not sure if remote operation is possible from the rear seat ... but I wouldn't have thought that was a priority given the current role of these aircraft. They appear to remain 'Single Box' VHF equipped (no UHF of secondary VHF) and still use the Starboard under wing 1/4 wave VHF aerial.
There is a facility to load a data 'brick' on the LH side of the Garmin to upload a pre-planned route ... but I don't know if BBMF use this functionality.
Image Credit : Garmin (Close Up)
(8) This is the location of the FLARM screen and panel.
Image Credit : Butterfly PowerFLARM (Close Up)
(9) This is the location of the Accelerometer/G-Meter.
I'm sending our good friend RNHF_PILOT a PM in the hope that we can update this thread with the two remain Chipmunks in RN Mil Service.
Best ...
Coff.
Image Credits (except the Avionics pic) : S. Elsworth BBMF Photographer.
External Fuselage Changes
I'm using WK518 as the example here ... I understand WG486 has a 'mirror' fit.
(1) The location of the external SSR/Transponder aerial.
(2) I believe this is the location of the Starboard FLARM aerial. This aerial is replicated on the Port side of the rear fuselage in the same relative position.
(3) I believe this is the location of the GPS Receiving aerial.
Internal Cockpit Changes
(4) Front Cockpit Artificial Horizon. I have included this pic mainly for it's curiosity value. If I remember correctly ... both Front and Rear Panels were equipped with the Mk1(e) Vacuum Driven AH ... which was a mod that introduced a 'Non-Toppling' AH to the UK Mil Chipmunk. However, it would appear that WK518, in this pic, has an earlier AH (possibly a Mk1(b)) fitted to the Rear Panel (5). The Front AH has a 'pivot' in the centre of the instrument glass supporting the 'gull wing' with the Horizon Bar 'broken'. The Rear AH doesn't have a 'pivot' and has a continuous Horizon Bar. If memory serves me correctly the fore-and-aft pivoting of the gyro prevented toppling during aerobatics ... But I'm sure someone with greater NavInst knowledge will elucidate further
It's quite possible that supplies of these rare vacuum Mk1(e) AH are such that priority might need to go to the BBMF Fighters ... just a thought
Image Credit : Unknown : Artificial Horizon Mk1(e)
Image Credit : Unknown : Artificial Horizon Mk1(b)
(6) I believe this is the location of the Mode S Transponder. Given the fit of 1950's Altimeters, I'm not certain how Height Encoding is achieved. It's possible that a separate Height Encoding unit is used or an interface with the GPS. Hopefully someone might know ?
Image Credit : Becker XPDR (Remote Head Close Up)
(7) This is the location of the combined Garmin Comms and GPS Nav. The model looks like the GNC250XL which provides 760 Chan VHF Comms (5 Watts). I'm not sure if remote operation is possible from the rear seat ... but I wouldn't have thought that was a priority given the current role of these aircraft. They appear to remain 'Single Box' VHF equipped (no UHF of secondary VHF) and still use the Starboard under wing 1/4 wave VHF aerial.
There is a facility to load a data 'brick' on the LH side of the Garmin to upload a pre-planned route ... but I don't know if BBMF use this functionality.
Image Credit : Garmin (Close Up)
(8) This is the location of the FLARM screen and panel.
The FLARM system transmits position, height and projected flight path and receives similar information from other FLARM equipped aircraft. The pilot is presented with a display showing all nearby aircraft and receives a warning in the event of a potential collision.
Image Credit : Butterfly PowerFLARM (Close Up)
(9) This is the location of the Accelerometer/G-Meter.
I'm sending our good friend RNHF_PILOT a PM in the hope that we can update this thread with the two remain Chipmunks in RN Mil Service.
Best ...
Coff.
Last edited by CoffmanStarter; 9th Mar 2016 at 15:32.
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Good to hear from you again VATCO
Don't forget that Dora-9 is unfamiliar with our emerald green grass here in the UK
Also coming up ...
The 2016 BullChip Meet at Abbeville May 5 - 6 - 7 - 8
Bulldog & Chipmunk Meet 2016
Best ...
Coff.
Don't forget that Dora-9 is unfamiliar with our emerald green grass here in the UK
Also coming up ...
The 2016 BullChip Meet at Abbeville May 5 - 6 - 7 - 8
Bulldog & Chipmunk Meet 2016
Best ...
Coff.
Last edited by CoffmanStarter; 8th Mar 2016 at 09:33.
WK518's glareshield was much less cluttered when I first flew the very same aircraft 47 years ago at RAF White Waltham....or again in 1979 when I did a few hours of Space Cadet flying between Vulcan flights at RAF Scampton.
WK 518 was on ULAS during my time 69-72. Beags ( or Flying Lawyer) might recall that the first part of limited panel Unusual Position (UP) instrument recovery was for the instructor to first do a couple of aeros to "topple the gyros" , obviously tumbling the Artificial Horizon.
He then put the "thundermonk" in to a horrible position, before then giving the standard announcement :
" You have control - recover"
It was great fun.
He then put the "thundermonk" in to a horrible position, before then giving the standard announcement :
" You have control - recover"
It was great fun.
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Yep ... The glareshield was 'uncluttered' the last time I was in the front ... Aug 1977 
BEagle, Haraka ... That parachute harness seems to have been 'modified' too. The angled strap 'lugs' presumably enter the QRB a little easier and don't produce a strap kink
BEagle, Haraka ... That parachute harness seems to have been 'modified' too. The angled strap 'lugs' presumably enter the QRB a little easier and don't produce a strap kink
[QUOTE=
BEagle, Haraka ... That parachute harness seems to have been 'modified' too. The angled strap 'lugs' presumably enter the QRB a little easier and don't produce a strap kink[/QUOTE]
Is it possible that this is associated with the 5-point harness mod with the QRB on the negative 'g' (anti "submarining") strap?
Had that been introduced (or was it ever) Beags when you went back ?
BEagle, Haraka ... That parachute harness seems to have been 'modified' too. The angled strap 'lugs' presumably enter the QRB a little easier and don't produce a strap kink
[/QUOTE]Is it possible that this is associated with the 5-point harness mod with the QRB on the negative 'g' (anti "submarining") strap?
Had that been introduced (or was it ever) Beags when you went back ?
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Haraka ...
WK518 certainly had the 5 Point Seat Harness in 1977, which had the Seat QRB attached to the 5th strap that came up between the legs. The seat straps were/remain black in colour (I also remember the 4 Point Seat Harness where the straps were blue in colour). The parachute strap lugs that I remember weren't angled back then.
The straps visible in the above pic are almost certainly Parachute Straps with a revised design of lug.
This pic of Prince William in WK518 helps a little to identify the various bits of webbing
I'll have a look to see if I can find a pic of the parachute lug we might be more familiar with
Best ...
Coff.
WK518 certainly had the 5 Point Seat Harness in 1977, which had the Seat QRB attached to the 5th strap that came up between the legs. The seat straps were/remain black in colour (I also remember the 4 Point Seat Harness where the straps were blue in colour). The parachute strap lugs that I remember weren't angled back then.
The straps visible in the above pic are almost certainly Parachute Straps with a revised design of lug.
This pic of Prince William in WK518 helps a little to identify the various bits of webbing
I'll have a look to see if I can find a pic of the parachute lug we might be more familiar with
Best ...
Coff.
Last edited by CoffmanStarter; 8th Mar 2016 at 20:47.
Haraka, we still had the old Z-harness up until the time I left ULAS in 1973. I'm fairly sure that WK518 had the 5-point harness when I did that brief spell of air cadet flying though.
I can't recall which type of parachute was in use in 1979 though.
I was once given a lift back from the launch point to the hangars in a Tiger Moth. The pilot just said "Hop in the back, I'll take you over to the hangar" - so I did. Whereupon he took off - I'd assumed we'd taxi back as the Tiger was always flown solo from the rear seat. That's when I learned how to strap in to a Sutton harness....quickly! No parachute, of course - just a cushion.
I can't recall which type of parachute was in use in 1979 though.
I was once given a lift back from the launch point to the hangars in a Tiger Moth. The pilot just said "Hop in the back, I'll take you over to the hangar" - so I did. Whereupon he took off - I'd assumed we'd taxi back as the Tiger was always flown solo from the rear seat. That's when I learned how to strap in to a Sutton harness....quickly! No parachute, of course - just a cushion.
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Haraka ...
This isn't quite the right parachute shoulder strap, but the 'lug' design is certainly the one I remember going into the Parachute QRB.
Image Credit : Unknown
When wearing a Life Preserver (either the old grubby yellow one or the newer green thing with rosary bead inflation handle), the parachute shoulder straps would 'kink' under the inflation collar just above the parachute QRB. Presumably the current mod makes things a little more comfortable. Yep ... I notice HRH isn't wearing a LP (clearly he wasn't going near the water that day).
Anyway it was a mark of pride that one could strap on a parachute standing up before entering the cockpit and then tightening up before strapping the seat harness around oneself
Best ...
Coff.
This isn't quite the right parachute shoulder strap, but the 'lug' design is certainly the one I remember going into the Parachute QRB.
Image Credit : Unknown
When wearing a Life Preserver (either the old grubby yellow one or the newer green thing with rosary bead inflation handle), the parachute shoulder straps would 'kink' under the inflation collar just above the parachute QRB. Presumably the current mod makes things a little more comfortable. Yep ... I notice HRH isn't wearing a LP (clearly he wasn't going near the water that day).
Anyway it was a mark of pride that one could strap on a parachute standing up before entering the cockpit and then tightening up before strapping the seat harness around oneself
Best ...
Coff.