RAF Chipmunks
Cunning Artificer
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The briefing video, the fitting of the parachute, the wait, the waddle out to the aeroplane itself, the smell, oh God the smell is there a more evocotive sense than smell ?
Seeing some of the neumonics for Chipmunk checks reminds me of the Winjeel. The vital actions pre-takeoff were:
Try Tickling Mary's Pretty Fanny For She Is Having Hairy C**t Trouble.
I remember the neumonic but not the checks!! Something like:
Throttle
Trims
Mixture
Prop
Fuel
Flaps
Switches
Instruments
Harness
Hatch
Controls
Tailwheel
Try Tickling Mary's Pretty Fanny For She Is Having Hairy C**t Trouble.
I remember the neumonic but not the checks!! Something like:
Throttle
Trims
Mixture
Prop
Fuel
Flaps
Switches
Instruments
Harness
Hatch
Controls
Tailwheel
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Whilst awaiting my database to reload, has the original poster gone through these?
http://www.abpic.co.uk/search.php?pa...k%20T10&u=type
http://www.abpic.co.uk/search.php?pa...k%20T10&u=type
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Does any one have a link for the atc cadet briefing film from the late 70s/early 80s?
If memory serves me he was called cdt John andrews.
Who remembers 'jump jump jump' and the reply 'jumping sir'!
If memory serves me he was called cdt John andrews.
Who remembers 'jump jump jump' and the reply 'jumping sir'!
That film is a SSVC production and as a result, won't be found on You Tube as SSVC are pretty hard about copyright. There are cpies which still exist if you know where to look!
''John Andrews'' is a mate of mine. Now he's pushing 50, he looks a bit different! His dad was the boss of the AEF where it was filmed and plays the Chipmunk pilot. Paul, who plays John still has to suck up some pretty serious banter about the film!
''John Andrews'' is a mate of mine. Now he's pushing 50, he looks a bit different! His dad was the boss of the AEF where it was filmed and plays the Chipmunk pilot. Paul, who plays John still has to suck up some pretty serious banter about the film!
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NutLoose ...
Many thanks for your reply. I've been able to source a few pics from the Air Britain site ... but I'm still trying to locate "in service" photo's if I can.
Best regards ...
Coff.
Many thanks for your reply. I've been able to source a few pics from the Air Britain site ... but I'm still trying to locate "in service" photo's if I can.
Best regards ...
Coff.
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Long shot, try contacting Bill Fisher he owns the aircraft spares company I link here.......... I quote from the page shown below
Chipmunks
might be some help.
In 1964 Rod Bown and I did a tour of the UK photographing Chipmunks, WB 550 was seen at the RAF College at Cranwell.
might be some help.
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dan
thats amazing - he had his 15 minutes of fame - and has no doubt paid the price with ever since with banter from mates like you!
when you say 'know where to look' any chance of a PM?
i fly a chipmunk today and had my first flight in one at shawbury in 82 so on a real nostalgia trip!
thats amazing - he had his 15 minutes of fame - and has no doubt paid the price with ever since with banter from mates like you!
when you say 'know where to look' any chance of a PM?
i fly a chipmunk today and had my first flight in one at shawbury in 82 so on a real nostalgia trip!
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Does any one have a link for the atc cadet briefing film from the late 70s/early 80s?
If memory serves me he was called cdt John andrews.
Who remembers 'jump jump jump' and the reply 'jumping sir'!
If memory serves me he was called cdt John andrews.
Who remembers 'jump jump jump' and the reply 'jumping sir'!
Remember to aim for the trailing edge of the wing when you jump.
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Nostalgia
This is a great wee thread.....brings back lots of memories. Funny how the memory of being strapped into a Chippy for the first time never leaves you. Mine was WG363 at 12 AEF Turnhouse many moons ago.
CT
CT
[QUOTE]If you are ever coming up to Scotland, PM me and I will give you a flight in our trusty WP860, currently based at RAF Kirknewton.
She is ex Turnhouse ATC[QUOTE]
She was my first flight, July 1979 from Turhouse over the firth and both bridges, and it was fantastic, don't think the grin left my face all month. Its nice to see her still going strong
She is ex Turnhouse ATC[QUOTE]
She was my first flight, July 1979 from Turhouse over the firth and both bridges, and it was fantastic, don't think the grin left my face all month. Its nice to see her still going strong
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One of the best things about flying with 1AEF from RAF Manston was the size of the runway you were looking for when you were on your way back in. If you couldn't reply "yes" when the instructor said "can you see the runway" then a backseat in a Chipmunk was about as far as your flying career would probably go.
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What a great thread!
Being on the cusp of calling it a day on my RAF career, I am still amazed that I can be moved by such a simple thing as this thread. I was lucky enough to fly Chippys at No1 EFTS at RAF Swinderby in 1987. The system was changing from Flying Selection School (we all had the badge!) to EFTS, nobody knew what the hell was going on, so we just carried on flying until told to stop! Great days with the likes of Uncle Dennis Winterbottom (and his Vincent Black Shadow-or was it a Villiers?), Ted Hudson ("only one way to recover a Javelin from a spin, bang the Nav out!"), Pete Frame (APO SFO, if you were in the FAA then fraternising with the Sqn Mini Adj would be OK, but you're not, so please put her down and leave her alone! - best boll@cking I ever had!), Pete Bouch (in the Hurricane..............), Mad Mike Dutton ("Did I ever tell you about the time I was flying Chipmunks in Cyprus when the Turks invaded?"). And finally, Keith Jobling, the first non-pilot aircrew guy I ever met in the RAF (think he was a Nav?), what a gent. Even if it was him that egged me on with the Mini Adj!!
Happy days.
Going to look up tailnumbers when I get home, sad I know.......
Happy days.
Going to look up tailnumbers when I get home, sad I know.......
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ShortFatOne ... my EFTS was a bit later, when most of what we did had been worked out. Still the great instructors though - still remember a story from another stude on my course being told by Mad Mike Dutton 'wave at the tractor driver' before recovering from a PFL. Also remember the course 'challenge' when doing a solo post-spin aeros was to do the 'ops normal' radio call pulling as many 'g' as possible.
Went to Canada a couple of years ago, and went to the aviation museum in Trentham - WB550 (I flew it solo, twice) is there, in the original red and white.
Went to Canada a couple of years ago, and went to the aviation museum in Trentham - WB550 (I flew it solo, twice) is there, in the original red and white.
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Chipmunks
There is something about them - possibly the smell of cordite in the morning?!
1967 RAFC North Airfield:
WP912
WB962
WB654
WK591
WB762
WZ878
WP799
Solo at Fulbeck
Flt Lt Al Thomas had me and K B...l as studes - me 5ft nothing, KB 6ft plus a lot (parade marker?)
"you my son might as well not be there, with KB I can see f all and just hope he gets it right"
Seem to recall that those with an RAF scholarship (i.e. had a civie ppl) just did 11 or so chippie hours, whilst the lucky guys had a lot more?
GCA into V Force Waddo was done to test the patience of ATC.
1967 RAFC North Airfield:
WP912
WB962
WB654
WK591
WB762
WZ878
WP799
Solo at Fulbeck
Flt Lt Al Thomas had me and K B...l as studes - me 5ft nothing, KB 6ft plus a lot (parade marker?)
"you my son might as well not be there, with KB I can see f all and just hope he gets it right"
Seem to recall that those with an RAF scholarship (i.e. had a civie ppl) just did 11 or so chippie hours, whilst the lucky guys had a lot more?
GCA into V Force Waddo was done to test the patience of ATC.
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Argh....Swinderby. Terrifying Corporals, bemused airmen and the sound of a Gipsy, happy days. Watching a felow fly his first solo only to be gate crashed by 4 A-10's as he flew down wind. The wednesday parade, the practical jokes on the new intake and the dousing by your mates after you passed the FHT. All good fun but the aroma of leather and Avgas when you first sat in the Chippy will always stay with me.
Flap15
24 EFTS
Flap15
24 EFTS
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I'm now in my (early) 50's and can still remember 34' 4", 28' 8" and a height of 7', the chippies vital statistics, if I'm not mistaken. Odd how the human brain can recall such trivia, but ask me what I had for breakfast............
got one wrong, just checked and it was 25' 5" not 28' 8".
got one wrong, just checked and it was 25' 5" not 28' 8".
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I'm now in my (early) 50's and can still remember 34' 4", 28' 8" and a height of 7', the chippies vital statistics, if I'm not mistaken. Odd how the human brain can recall such trivia, but ask me what I had for breakfast............
got one wrong, just checked and it was 25' 5" not 28' 8".
got one wrong, just checked and it was 25' 5" not 28' 8".
26WX 6773....... Wessex nose door anti icing seal lol, still remember it!
526mm 0505059 Puma one i think
Me too
Last edited by NutLoose; 17th Jun 2011 at 10:09.
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Chipmeet May 2011 - Zoersel Belgium
Hi all ...
Slightly off thread I know ... but I came across some video taken earlier this year at the annual Chipmeet held in Belgium. Hats off to the enthusiasts who keep the old ladies flying !
Just follow the links off the main home page ...
Chipmeet
If I'm not mistaken ... HRH Prince Charles' ex "special" WP903 was in attendance ?
Really must go one year ...
Best regards ...
Coff
Slightly off thread I know ... but I came across some video taken earlier this year at the annual Chipmeet held in Belgium. Hats off to the enthusiasts who keep the old ladies flying !
Just follow the links off the main home page ...
Chipmeet
If I'm not mistaken ... HRH Prince Charles' ex "special" WP903 was in attendance ?
Really must go one year ...
Best regards ...
Coff
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RAF Chipmunk VS285? in flight
I have just logged on to this site after finding a request for pictures of Chipmunks. I have a picture probably taken in the mid 50's from the cockpit of one chipmunk of a second Chipmunk alongside. I can just make out the number which looks like VS 285 although I am not 100% sure. i don't seem to be able to post the photo but I am happy to email it to anyone who wants it. The picture is a private one taken by my dad in his RAF days (David Winks) and has never been published.
Paul Winks
Paul Winks