Military Aviation A forum for the professionals who fly military hardware. Also for the backroom boys and girls who support the flying and maintain the equipment, and without whom nothing would ever leave the ground. All armies, navies and air forces of the world equally welcome here.

RAF Chipmunks

Old 26th Sep 2015, 18:22
  #421 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: France
Age: 80
Posts: 6,379
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
I reckon I flew in her at White Waltham, late 50s, early 60s
Wander00 is offline  
Old 26th Sep 2015, 18:54
  #422 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Wiltshire
Age: 70
Posts: 2,063
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
AA62,

Good luck with your kidnap attempt. SWMBO reckons she would have no problem dealing with loadies. Meanwhile, Coff, judging by the photographs on the Hercules thread, I'm thinking chickenlover is far better qualified, I will however attempt to capture the experience for this thread. Finally, worry not chickenlover about relative inexperience with the Chipmunk (if that's what you are suggesting), I have no fears of accompanying you, I once accompanied myself, and that was extremely worrying. Thanks for the history, interesting that the aircraft served with both London and Oxford UAS, as my main experience with the Chipmunk was when serving at Abingdon as OUAS Groundcrew. We worked across OUAS, ULAS and of course 6 AEF. It certainly looks a splendid aircraft.

Smudge

Last edited by smujsmith; 26th Sep 2015 at 23:44.
smujsmith is offline  
Old 27th Sep 2015, 15:41
  #423 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Foggy Bottom
Age: 68
Posts: 153
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts


My Mother (on the right) as one third of the only (as far as I know) all women RAF formation display team in 1953. Three chipmunks based at Redhill.

Last edited by aeromys; 27th Sep 2015 at 15:53.
aeromys is offline  
Old 27th Sep 2015, 15:51
  #424 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: France
Age: 80
Posts: 6,379
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Aeromys - tell us more please - there must be a story in that - never knew the RAF had female pilots that far back
Wander00 is offline  
Old 27th Sep 2015, 16:09
  #425 (permalink)  
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: East Sussex UK
Age: 66
Posts: 6,995
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Yes ... More information please ... You say this was a RAF Team ?

I thought the 'Skylarks' (4 A/C) were the only official RAF Chipmunk Display Team (1967 to 1971) ?
CoffmanStarter is offline  
Old 27th Sep 2015, 16:15
  #426 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Foggy Bottom
Age: 68
Posts: 153
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
They were members of the Volunteer Reserve, apparently the CO at Redhill initially formed the team for a display at White Waltham. Sadly the VR was dispanded shortly afterwards and the team disbanded.





Please forgive me if this is all a bit vague, I shall see what else I can glean from her.

Last edited by aeromys; 28th Sep 2015 at 16:47. Reason: resize
aeromys is offline  
Old 27th Sep 2015, 16:27
  #427 (permalink)  
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: East Sussex UK
Age: 66
Posts: 6,995
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Many thanks Aeromys ...

Do you have your Mother's Log Book (F414). Was she a former ATA Pilot ?
CoffmanStarter is offline  
Old 27th Sep 2015, 16:45
  #428 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Foggy Bottom
Age: 68
Posts: 153
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
She was only in the VR from 51 to 53, not in the ATA she says. She does have her F414 log book though. The way she describes it is that anyone with a PPL could join the VR? and she got hers with a scholarship through the WJAC at 17. She then joined the VR at 19.
aeromys is offline  
Old 27th Sep 2015, 17:14
  #429 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: France
Age: 80
Posts: 6,379
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Well I for one was not aware there were women VR pilots in those far off days
Wander00 is offline  
Old 27th Sep 2015, 17:22
  #430 (permalink)  
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: East Sussex UK
Age: 66
Posts: 6,995
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Thanks again Aeromys ...

I follow the WJAC connection (a forerunner to the GVC) ... But unaware of the apparent cross-over to the RAF VR you mention.

I remain very interested in the historical link to the female Chipmunk Display Team. It would be great to learn more ...

Last edited by CoffmanStarter; 28th Sep 2015 at 06:53.
CoffmanStarter is offline  
Old 27th Sep 2015, 17:59
  #431 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Foggy Bottom
Age: 68
Posts: 153
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Apparently Home Command at White Waltham requested the CO at Redhill to provide an all women display team, to train and display at White Waltham in May 53 and Biggin in Sep 53. My Mother and two other VR girls trained at Redhill for 1s/6d an hour (bargain !) on the Chipmunks that were based at Redhill. Those were the only two displays they did.


Last edited by aeromys; 27th Sep 2015 at 22:25.
aeromys is offline  
Old 27th Sep 2015, 18:24
  #432 (permalink)  
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: East Sussex UK
Age: 66
Posts: 6,995
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Here you go Aeromys ...

Redhill 1952 ...

First R.A.F. Wings For Women AKA 1st Woman Gets RAF Wings - British Pathé

Your Mum might recognise the content of the Pathe film clip, or part of the parade ?

Redhill, Surrey.

LV. Pilot Officer Jean Lennox Bird arriving in a Chipmunk. SV. Air Commodore Nancy Salmon awaiting Pilot Officer Bird. SV. Pilot Officer Bird getting out of 'plane. SV. Air Commodore Salmon shaking hands with Pilot Officer Bird. GV. Arrival on parade ground of Air Officer Commander-in-Chief Home Command, Air Marshal Sir Ronald Ivelaw-Chapman. SV. R.A.F. personnel lined up for presentation. SV. Pilot Officer Bird marching up to Sir Ronald Ivelaw-Chapman. CU. Pilot Officer Bird. SCU. A/M Sir Ronald Ivelaw Chapman pinning wings onto Pilot Officer Bird. SV. High-ranking and W.R.A.F. Watching. CU. Pilot Officer Bird with wings.

Last edited by CoffmanStarter; 27th Sep 2015 at 18:59.
CoffmanStarter is offline  
Old 27th Sep 2015, 18:59
  #433 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Foggy Bottom
Age: 68
Posts: 153
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Yes, she was at the cermony for Jean Bird, she was stationed at Redhill also and they all had to attend.
My Mother received her wings in 1950, then they were called 'Provisional Wings', through a Womens Junior Air Corp scholarship with the RAF. These were essentially PPL wings received with RAF training? Jean was the first woman to receive full RAF wings which my Mother describes as 'larger' (?) although obviously Jean had been flying for some time with the RAF before receiving her honary wings. However many other women pilots had also joined the VR and were flying with the RAF also.
aeromys is offline  
Old 27th Sep 2015, 19:05
  #434 (permalink)  
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: East Sussex UK
Age: 66
Posts: 6,995
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Wonderful stuff Aeromys ... Every time this thread pops back we learn something new

If you let me have the Chipmunk Reg Serials from Mum's F414 ... I'll see if any of her aircraft are still flying ... That might be a nice surprise for her

Last edited by CoffmanStarter; 27th Sep 2015 at 19:45.
CoffmanStarter is offline  
Old 27th Sep 2015, 20:02
  #435 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Pathfinder Country
Posts: 505
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Aeromys

Myself plus about six other CCF/ATC Cadets were at the Redhill Flying Club in the Summer of 53' completing Flying Scholarships at the Redhill Flying Club, on Magisters. I tried to join the RFS post PPL and got as far as an acceptance check in a Chippy' but of course they were on their way to closure. Remember Jean Bird well. The RFS was very active at Week-Ends and night flying was a regular event.

AD'
aw ditor is offline  
Old 27th Sep 2015, 20:05
  #436 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Foggy Bottom
Age: 68
Posts: 153
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts




Many different ones in there but this was the relevant page for the White Waltham flypast

Last edited by aeromys; 27th Sep 2015 at 21:50.
aeromys is offline  
Old 27th Sep 2015, 20:36
  #437 (permalink)  
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: East Sussex UK
Age: 66
Posts: 6,995
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Aeromys ...

Sorry old chap but if you are trying to post a scanned image ... it's not visible this end
CoffmanStarter is offline  
Old 27th Sep 2015, 21:52
  #438 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Foggy Bottom
Age: 68
Posts: 153
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Apologies, image server misspelt
aeromys is offline  
Old 28th Sep 2015, 06:45
  #439 (permalink)  
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: East Sussex UK
Age: 66
Posts: 6,995
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Good morning Aeromys ...

Many thanks. I'm away for a couple of days ... but as soon as I return home I'll get to work (and help you resize your images)

A quick look suggests five of the six aircraft may still be flying ... four in the UK

This is a very important chapter in the history of the RAF Chipmunk.

Best wishes to you and your Mother ...

Coff.

Last edited by CoffmanStarter; 28th Sep 2015 at 06:58.
CoffmanStarter is offline  
Old 28th Sep 2015, 20:58
  #440 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Wiltshire
Age: 70
Posts: 2,063
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Great find Coff #420,

And I have spent today with a fellow ex GE, exploring the pleasures of a very English pub near the Kennet and Avon Canal. During our discussions he noted that he was a Space Cadet, and did his air experience at Manston, back in the day. Now the last aircraft Mr T and myself shared was an Albert trip to Australia, it would be nice to find he has WK577 in his log book from back then. I'm sure Chickenlover will also appreciate the research. Good find.

Best

Smudge
smujsmith is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.