DHC never built a bad airplane, and the Chipmunk was possibly the best.

They certainly did :)
The Chippie is a lovely aeroplane,I did lots of Chippie flying with our wonderful VR(T) Pilots whilst a Rigger on Chipmunks/Bulldogs at Abingdon in 1980-83 (much to the displeasure of my Flt Sgt :) ).
As an aside - I had a great trip in a 231 OCU Canberra T4 (whilst a Rigger on 231) in 1974 - the pilot was one R 'Dusty' Miller,he was a 'Trapper' on the OCU at that time iirc - he still looks much the same as he did then :)

Excellent photos of a lovely aeroplane. A birthday well marked.

Had a total of 12 flights in the 'Chippie' mostly courtesy of No.4 AEF from Plymouth/Roborough in the early 60s.

Only managed one flight in the front seat. That was for a PPL check ride in the Plymouth Aero Club Chippie, G-ARDF IIRC, with the club CFI, Bill Lucas in the back.

Last flight was in mid-69 but would dearly love to climb into one again.

Second that. I've flown two of their products, the Chippie and Twin Otter. Both lovely machines.

Are we sure that DH never built a bad aeroplane? DH 108, 3 built 3 crashed. The Ozzies have views on how bad the DH86 was and didn't the Leopard (or Puss>) Moth have a habit of shedding wings Or more recently was the DH121 Trident good or bad? Just saying..

I think the DH121 would have been a very good aircraft had BEA not ruined the specification.

I thought LandingCheck's comment was specifically referring to DH Canada (DHC)?

Quite correct. My apologies to Downsview.

Rattly, noisy, smelly and slow. Usually equipped with a whining puking bag of misery in the back. That's a QFI or a cadet

.....quite charming.

Wets

Well, Wetstart (an appropriate name perhaps), you seem very much in a minority of one. I think most people here would be very happy for the chance to fly your "rattly, noisy, smelly and slow" aeroplane.

But charming, very extremely charming, beautifully charming.

Anyone seen my litotes?

121 was a great aeroplane, it was those that were responsible for training and didn’t understand it that was the problem. Once they retired BEA stopped breaking them, well most of them.
Isn’t the last aeroplane where the pilots weren’t given the right information...my last one had two stall warnings flying split arse circuits into Nice as the books incorrectly stated all time speed protection ; F100.

First flew this lovely aircraft at Roborough in 1970 during my flying grading for the FAA. Sent solo by the very laid back Mr Godffery and can remember the pre-landing checks to this day: "My Friend Fred Has Hairy Balls" Mixture, Fuel, Flaps, Hood, Harness, Brakes. Continued my association with the type during RNEFTS at Church Fenton and Rufforth. Happy days.

blind pew, I was not thinking of its flying characteristics but of its commercial viability and therefore lack of worldwide sales. De Havilland's original design of the DH121 was for a larger aircraft but BEA decided they knew better and wanted something smaller. Had BEA not done that, the DH121 might have captured the B727 market.

Bergerie my take was always about fun and esthetics. I.E. Nice to play with and does she look good. Worked my whole life from crumpet, motorbikes, cars and aeroplanes...commercial viability never came into it especially with women and motorbikes. Even our old steed, the VC10 didn’t capture the market but didn’t she look good.
Did my flying selection on a chippy, nearly crashed, a lot of bouncing and my first Aeros; whilst not as graceful and demanding as glider aerobatics still fun.