RAF Chipmunks
Not an RAF Chipmunk, but a very interesting formation:
https://tinyurl.com/y2794oq9
While watching this video, I wondered if the RAF ever considered re-engineing its Chipmunks.
PS Just in case anyone is concerned about clicking on a TinyURL link, here's a screen shot.
https://tinyurl.com/y2794oq9
While watching this video, I wondered if the RAF ever considered re-engineing its Chipmunks.
PS Just in case anyone is concerned about clicking on a TinyURL link, here's a screen shot.
This has been doing the rounds on FaceBook:
I flew a Canadian Chippy that had a 160 hp Lycoming O 320 installed under a one time STC. It had all the Chippy good parts without the pain of dealing with the POS Dripsy Major. This is the engine it should have had from day one.
Big Pistons Forever,
" POS Dripsy Major?"
OOOOH, if I had a spare Gauntlet I would hurl it on the ground in front of you...
" POS Dripsy Major?"
OOOOH, if I had a spare Gauntlet I would hurl it on the ground in front of you...
We put the battery on charge and had a leisurely lunch. 3 hours later it started on the 3rd blade
BPF,should have used the `Armstrong` starter...West Coast wimps..!
Not to my personal taste, but it's a beautifully executed conversion. But wait, there's more! This is C1-0501, ex WG427, VH-BSQ and VH-GEB. In 1966 it was converted to an SA29 Spraymaster and 10 years later was exported (as N7DW) to the USA still in that coinfiguration - the clues are the spring-leaf tailwheel assembly and the tapered Aeromaster strakes.
I saw N7DW at Oshkosh in 2016. I normally don't like Chipmunk conversions, but this one is exquisitely done.
Turbo Chipmunk
In 1967–1968 a Chipmunk Mk 22A was converted, tested and flown by Hants and Sussex Aviation. The Chipmunk was fitted with an 86.42-kW (116-shp) Rover 90 turboprop engine.[25] and extra fuel capacity. In depth article from Flight Global - From Wikipedia
https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarch...0-%202080.html
WG430 appears in my Dads log books between 1979 and 1982 (1 AEF Manston)
In 1967–1968 a Chipmunk Mk 22A was converted, tested and flown by Hants and Sussex Aviation. The Chipmunk was fitted with an 86.42-kW (116-shp) Rover 90 turboprop engine.[25] and extra fuel capacity. In depth article from Flight Global - From Wikipedia
https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarch...0-%202080.html
WG430 appears in my Dads log books between 1979 and 1982 (1 AEF Manston)
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Big Pistons Forever wrote:
He was quite knowledgeable on those engines but after checking the engine over his diagnosis was “It’s not broken, it’s British” .
Having over 200 hours on the bog standard engine (admittedly with a cartridge starter) without a single problem I disagree with him and his 'quite knowledgeable' friend.
I seem to recall the British designed and built the Merlin, Griffon, Hercules, Centaurus and a host of other piston jobbies.
Moving on to the turbine era he may have heard of the Dart, Mamba and other turboprops not to mention the Derwent, Goblin, Ghost, Sapphire, Avon et al for the pure jets.
I saw the turbine Rover at Middle Wallop where some of the staff flew it. The consensus was Interesting but slow on the throttle and rather gutless. Unsuitable for training.
He was quite knowledgeable on those engines but after checking the engine over his diagnosis was “It’s not broken, it’s British” .
Having over 200 hours on the bog standard engine (admittedly with a cartridge starter) without a single problem I disagree with him and his 'quite knowledgeable' friend.
I seem to recall the British designed and built the Merlin, Griffon, Hercules, Centaurus and a host of other piston jobbies.
Moving on to the turbine era he may have heard of the Dart, Mamba and other turboprops not to mention the Derwent, Goblin, Ghost, Sapphire, Avon et al for the pure jets.
I saw the turbine Rover at Middle Wallop where some of the staff flew it. The consensus was Interesting but slow on the throttle and rather gutless. Unsuitable for training.
Last edited by Blossy; 27th Mar 2019 at 20:29. Reason: Added turbo Chipmunk
Gnome de PPRuNe
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Bill Bonner stuck a Ford Granada V6 engine in a Chipmunk G-ARWB at Shoreham in the mid-70s; it was water cooled and had a rad housing underneath the cockpit a la Hurricane. Pic.
It's Gipsy Major powered again these days and looks very smart in its service uniform.
It's Gipsy Major powered again these days and looks very smart in its service uniform.
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I've converted two Chipmunks from Gipsy to Lycoming power over time, it does make it a jump in and start aircraft rather than the rigmarole of trying to start a Gipsy Major engine. The downside of course in UK is it now becomes a non aerobatic aircraft. I think if one had asked Dick Stratton, the instigator of the UK mod, if he could have gone the extra mile and gained aerobatic approval, he would have agreed, but the end game was glider towing so the cost wasn't worth it. Whether the Portuguese aircraft are cleared for aeros I no not.
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This months Aeroplane magazine ( the cold war edition) has several pages of a fascinating article about the operations of the Berlin spy Chipmunks and the fact that on one flight they were shot at taking a round through the spinner, indeed they even managed to photograph the person in the action of shooting at them.
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Hi All,
Sorry to bring up an old thread, but I'm looking for some help. I have just joined a Chipmunk group and I'm trying to find out some more information about her.
WK630 (now G-BXDG) appears to have been operated by a number of UAS throughout the 60s and 70s, but I'm most interested in her (potential) association with 8 AEW Sqn. She is currently painted in 8 Sqn colours (albeit, slightly incorrect) but some group members believe that this may just have been due to the previous owners association with the Squadron, not the aircraft. However, I have found one reference (in a modellers forum) that indicates that WK630 may have indeed been with 8 Squadron as a trainer when they operated Shakletons at Lossie.
So, I was wondering whether anyone could validate (or discredit) this information or provide more information on the background of WK630. Failing this, I may submit a FOI request to the RAF Historical Branch to see if they can shed some more light on her past.
Thanks in advance.
Jamie
Sorry to bring up an old thread, but I'm looking for some help. I have just joined a Chipmunk group and I'm trying to find out some more information about her.
WK630 (now G-BXDG) appears to have been operated by a number of UAS throughout the 60s and 70s, but I'm most interested in her (potential) association with 8 AEW Sqn. She is currently painted in 8 Sqn colours (albeit, slightly incorrect) but some group members believe that this may just have been due to the previous owners association with the Squadron, not the aircraft. However, I have found one reference (in a modellers forum) that indicates that WK630 may have indeed been with 8 Squadron as a trainer when they operated Shakletons at Lossie.
So, I was wondering whether anyone could validate (or discredit) this information or provide more information on the background of WK630. Failing this, I may submit a FOI request to the RAF Historical Branch to see if they can shed some more light on her past.
Thanks in advance.
Jamie
WK630 served with 18 RFS Fairoaks, 661 Sqn Kenley, 651 Sqn Feltwell. Army Air Corps, U Wales AS, Bristol UAS, Southampton UAS and 2 AEF, but I can find no record of it being with 8 Sqn.