de Havilland Canada DHC-1 Chipmunk
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| DHC-1 Chipmunk | |
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 Privately owned DHC-1 Chipmunk F-AZSM in flight |
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| Type | Trainer |
| Manufacturer | de Havilland Canada |
| Designed by | Wsiewołod Jakimiuk |
| Maiden flight | 22 May 1946 |
| Introduced | 1946 |
| Retired | 1972 (Canada) |
| Primary users | Royal Air Force Royal Canadian Air Force Portugal See other military operators |
| Produced | 1947-1956 |
| Number built | 1230 [1] |
The de Havilland Canada DHC-1 Chipmunk is a tandem, two-seat, single-engined primary trainer aircraft which was the standard primary trainer for the Royal Canadian Air Force, Royal Air Force and several other air forces through much of the post-Second World War years. The de Havilland Chipmunk was the first true postwar aviation project of de Havilland Canada.
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[edit] Design and development
Designed to succeed the de Havilland Tiger Moth biplane trainer, chief designer, Wsiewołod Jakimiuk, a famous Polish prewar engineer, created the first indigenous design of the de Havilland Aircraft of Canada Ltd. The Chipmunk is an all-metal, low wing, tandem two-place, single engine airplane with a conventional tail wheel landing gear. It has fabric-covered control surfaces and wing aft of the spar. A clear perspex canopy covers the pilot/student (front) and instructor/passenger (rear) positions. CF-DIO-X, the Chipmunk prototype, flew for the first time at Downsview, Toronto on 22 May 1946 with Pat Fillingham at the controls[2]. The production version of the airplane was powered by a 145 hp in-line de Havilland Gipsy Major 8 engine while the prototype was powered by a 108 kW (145 hp) de Havilland Gipsy Major 1C.
Two Chipmunk aircraft were evaluated by the Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment at Boscombe Down. As a result, the fully-aerobatic Chipmunk was ordered as an ab initio trainer for the Royal Air Force (Prince Philip took his first flying lesson in one in 1952). The Royal Canadian Air Force also adopted the Chipmunk as their primary trainer.
British-built and early Canadian-built Chipmunks are notably different from the later Canadian-built RCAF/Lebanese versions. The later Canadian-built airplanes have a bubble canopy, while early Canadian, and all Portuguese and British examples have the multi-panelled sliding canopy, the rearmost panels of which are "bubbled" out for better instructor visibility.
From the 1950s onward, the Chipmunk also became a popular civilian aircraft, being used for training, aerobatics and crop spraying. Most civilian aircraft were ex-military.
[edit] Operational history
[edit] United Kingdom
The RAF received 735 Chipmunks, designated Chipmunk T.10, manufactured in the UK. They initially served with Reserve Flying Squadrons (RFS) of the RAF Volunteer Reserve (VR) as well as the University Air Squadrons. A few Chipmunks were pressed into service in Cyprus on internal security flights during the conflict in 1958. Some were from 1956 to 1990 used for covert reconnaissance by BRIXMIS operating out of RAF Gatow, Berlin.[citation needed] They were still in service for ATC Air Experience Flights until 1996 (the final AEF to use the Chipmunk was No. 10 Air Experience Flight, RAF Woodvale) when they were replaced by the Bulldog (itself replaced by the Grob Tutor in 1999-2001). Chipmunk T.10s were also used by the Army Air Corps and Fleet Air Arm for primary training. The last Chipmunks in military service are operated by the British historic flights - the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (including one of the BRIXMIS aircraft), the Royal Navy and Army historic flights, to keep their pilots current on tailwheel aircraft for flying displays in the UK.
[edit] Canada
The RCAF accepted its first DHC-1 Chipmunks in 1948 and did not retire the last one until 1972, three years after unification in 1968. The Chipmunk's long service was due, in part, to its fully aerobatic capabilities and superb flying characteristics, which made it a delight to fly. It is also a mechanically sound aircraft and, consequently, many ex-RCAF Chipmunks are still operational around the world.
[edit] Production
Downsview built 217 Chipmunks, the last in 1956. A total of 1,000 were built in Britain initially at Hatfield Aerodrome and then later at Hawarden Aerodrome. A further 66 Chipmunks were licence-manufactured by OGMA (Oficinas Gerais de Material Aeronáutico, at Alverca) from 1955 to 1961 in Portugal for the Portuguese Air Force.
[edit] Super Chipmunk
One of the most famous civilian Chipmunks was the U.S.-based "Super Chipmunk," a highly-modified air show performer. Along with an uprated engine, the aircraft underwent an extensive makeover including clipping its wings, adding retractable landing gear, conversion to a single-seat layout, adding an autopilot and being fitted with a red, white and blue wingtip and tail smoke system. The control stick received a three-inch extension for greater control during extreme aerobatic maneuvers. For over 25 years, the Super Chipmunk in its distinctive bright color scheme of blue stars and sunburst effect, was legendary stunt pilot Art Scholl’s personal ride — used to perform a unique and breathtaking aerial routine that culminated in his signature move, the “Inverted Ribbon Pickup.”
Three Super Chipmunk conversions were made, Scholl's N13A and N13Y and Harold Krier’s N6311V. Another more recent "Super Chipmunk" was converted by air show performer, Jim "Fang" Maroney who similarly modified an ex-RCAF example by strengthening the airframe, replacing the original 145 hp engine with a 260 hp version incorporating an inverted fuel and oil system, clipping three feet off the wings and adding 30% more rudder and 10% more elevator. A spatted landing gear was retained. Other similarly converted "Super Chipmunks" are currently being flown by air show performers Greg Aldridge and Steve and Suzanne Oliver.
[edit] Legacy
Today over 500 DHC-1 Chipmunk (affectionally known as "Chippie") airframes remain airworthy with more being rebuilt every year, which is a testament to the strength and longevity of this Canadian design.
[edit] Variants
[edit] Canadian-built
- DHC-1A-1 (Chipmunk T.1)
- Powered by de Havilland Gipsy Major 1C engine, only partially aerobatic.
- DHC-1A-2
- Powered by de Havilland Gipsy Major 10 engine, only partially aerobatic.
- DHC-1B-1
- Powered by de Havilland Gipsy Major 1C engine, fully aerobatic.
- DHC-1B-2
- Powered by de Havilland Gipsy Major 10 engine, fully aerobatic.
- DHC-1B-2-S1
- Powered by de Havilland Gipsy Major 10 for Royal Egyptian Air Force.
- DHC-1B-2-S2
- Powered by de Havilland Gipsy Major 10 for Royal Thai Air Force.
- DHC-1B-2-S3 (Chipmunk T.2)
- Powered by de Havilland Gipsy Major 10 for RCAF refresher training operated by Royal Canadian Flying Clubs.
- DHC-1B-2-S4
- Version for Chile
- DHC-1B-2-S5 (Chipmunk T.2)
- Built for Royal Canadian Air Force.
[edit] British-built
- Chipmunk T.10
- de Havilland Gipsy Major 8 engined version for the Royal Air Force, 735 built.
- Chipmunk Mk 20
- Military export version of T.10 powered by de Havilland Gipsy Major 10 Series 2 engine, 217 built.
- Chipmunk Mk 21
- Civil export version of Mk 20 but fitted to civil standards, 28 built.
- Chipmunk Mk 22
- T.10 converted for civilian use. Conversion also involves restamping the Gipsy Major 8 (which is military) to a model 10-2 (which is civil).
- Chipmunk Mk 22A
- Mk 22 with fuel tankage increased to 12 Imperial gallons per side vs. 9. Aerobatics forbidden in the UK with this conversion.
- Chipmunk Mk 23
- Two converted T.10s powered by de Havilland Gipsy Major 10 Series 2 engine and with agricultural spray equipment.
[edit] Portuguese-built
- Chipmunk T.20
- Military version powered by de Havilland Gipsy Major 10 Series 2 (145 hp) engine, 66 built.
[edit] Australian-built
- Aerostructures Sundowner
- One Australian Chipmunk was fitted with a 180-hp (134-kW) Lycoming O-360 flat-four piston engine, wingtip tanks, clear-view canopy and metal wing skinning.[citation needed]
- Sashin SA-29 Spraymaster
- Several Australian Chipmunks were converted into single-seat agricultural spraying aircraft.[citation needed]
[edit] Operators
[edit] Military operators
- Portuguese Air Force: Squadron 802, Águias (Sintra), Air Force Academy (Academia de Forca Aerea, Sintra)
- Army Air Corps: Basic Fixed Wing Flight, Army Air Corps Historic Aircraft Flight
- Royal Air Force: RAFVR RFS, No.8 Sqn, No.31 Sqn, No.114 Sqn, No.275 Sqn, RAF Gatow (Berlin) Station Flight, University Air Squadrons, Air Experience Flights (Air Training Corps), Battle of Britain Memorial Flight
- Royal Navy: 771 NAS, 781 NAS, Britannia Flight, Royal Navy Historic Flight
[edit] Civilian operators
[edit] Specifications (DHC-1 Chipmunk)
The De Havilland Canada Story [3] General characteristics
- Crew: 2, student & instructor
- Length: 25 ft 5 in (7.75 m)
- Wingspan: 34 ft 4 in (10.47 m)
- Height: 7 ft in (2.1 m)
- Wing area: 172 ft² (16.0 m²)
- Empty weight: 1,517 lb (646 kg)
- Loaded weight: 2,014 lb (953 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 2,200 lb (998 kg)
- Powerplant: 1× de Havilland Gipsy Major 1C, 145 hp (108 kW)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 120 kn, 138 mph at sea level (140 mph is also given) (222 km/h)
- Cruise speed: 90 kn
- Range: 225 NM (445 km)
- Service ceiling 15,800 ft (5200 m)
- Rate of climb: 900 ft/min (274 m/min)
- Wing loading: 11.709 lb/ft² (5.782 kg/m²)
- Power/mass: 13.889 hp/lb (8.824 kW/kg)
[edit] See also
Comparable aircraft
[edit] References
[edit] Notes
- ^ deHavilland DHC-1 Chipmunk
- ^ Bain 1992, p. 141.
- ^ Hotson 1983, p. 237.
[edit] Bibliography
- Bain, Gordon. De Havilland: A Pictorial Tribute. London: AirLife, 1992. ISBN 1-85648-243-X.
- Fisher, Bill. Chipmunk: The First Forty Years. Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, UK: de Havilland Type Design Organisation, 1986.
- Fisher, Bill. Chipmunk: The First Fifty Years. Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, UK: de Havilland Type Design Organisation, 1996.
- Hotson, Fred. The De Havilland Canada Story. Toronto: CANAV Books, 1983. ISBN 0-9690703-2-2.
- The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985). London: Orbis Publishing.
- Jackson, A.J. British Civil Aircraft since 1919 Volume 2. London: Putnam, 1974. ISBN 0-370-10010-7.
[edit] External links
- RAF Museum
- Caledonian Chipmunks
- Delta Aviation
- Skylark Aviation
- Royal Canadian Air Force Museum
- Aircraft.co.za - The Complete Aviation Reference
- Museu do Ar (Portuguese Air Force)
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