Wednesday, June 3, 2020

We used to make things here #314 de Havilland Chipmunk

Gordon Bain, De Havilland, A Pictorial Tribute, Airlife Publishing, 1992

After WW2, the Tiger Moth was getting too long in the tooth as a trainer and de Havilland Canada was tasked with its replacement.  It was the first model wholly designed by the Canadian company. First flown in 1946, it became known for its fine flying characteristics and was adopted by several armed forces as a primary trainer. 
The aircraft was stressed skin metal construction with the rear part of the wings in fabric. Being Canadian the cockpit was enclosed, featuring a sliding canopy. 
Power was by various iterations of the Gypsy Major 4 cylinder, giving a top speed of about 140 mph.
  Between 1949 and 1956 217 were built at Downsview, Ontario. A further 1000 were built under license by the British parent.  The RCAF retired the type in 1972, the RAF by the end of the seventies. 
Flying the Chipmunk here.


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2 comments:

  1. VectorWarbirdsJune 3, 2020 at 11:06 PM

    One fine design and its next iteration: A number of Chipmunks were modified as aerobatic aircraft in the United States as the "Super Chipmunk". For over 25 years the Super Chipmunk in its distinctive bright color scheme of blue stars and sunburst effect was displayed by the aerobatic pilot Art Scholl.

    It was a Super Chipmunk Art was flying for the movie Top Gun in which he lost his life.

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  2. VectorWarbirdsJune 3, 2020 at 11:07 PM

    Excuse me it was a Pitts S2 that he crashed in. Another brain fart I guess.

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