De Havilland DHC1 Chipmunk

August 2000 Additional Chipmunk parts have been purchased by the museum thanks to the assistance of the Chairman, Hugh Newell, and these will allow the Museum to assemble a complete aircraft with the exception of the engine and propellor.

The Chippy was the RAF's standard ab-initio trainer from the mid 50s. It remained in service with the Army Air Corps until 1997. Nearly 500 are still flying.

The first aircraft were designed by De Havilland of Canada (and was the first indigeneous design of that company since its formation in 1928), intending to replace the Tiger Moth biplane trainer. It first flew on 22. May 1946 from De Havilland's factory at Downsview, Toronto.

It was designed by Wsiewolod J. Jakimuik, formerly chief designer with PZL of Poland.

It was ordered by the Canadian Air Force, who used it as an ab-intio trainer, prior to students graduating to the Harvard.

Canadian Chipmunks were exported to Eygpt, Lebanon and Thailand.

After evaluation in Britain, ordered by the RAF, Royal Navy and the British Army, and production was begun by the parent company.

The British T10 differed from the original Canadian aircraft in being fully aerobatic and being powered by a Gipsy Major 8. Although later Canadian versions were also aerobatic.

In all, 735 of the British production went to the British Armed Forces.

Equipped all 17 University Air Squadrons

217 of the British version were exported T.Mk.20 to 10 air forces ( including 27 to Denmark ), (and 16 for RAF). T.Mk.21 was a civilain version, delivered to Portugal and Sri Lanka.

In 1993, 70 still existed in RAF.

Of the total of 1,014 British-built machines, 735 went to the RAF to be used as ab-intio trainers.

Replaced by Bulldog.

66 were produced under license in Portugal, for the Portugese Air Force. The last one produced by Portugal was finished on 20. February 1961, which was the last ever Chipmunk produced. .

Never as famed as "The Red Pelicans", "The Skylarks" were a team flying four de Havilland Canada Chipmunk trainers. The team, led by Flt. Lt. J F Merry, operated from 1967 until 1971, their aircraft being marked in standard training colours. A "Skylark" badge was carried on the tail; a green 'lightning flash' was added to the fuselage sides.

Whilst lacking some of the panache of the jet teams, "The Skylarks" performed low-speed precision aerobatics with their Chipmunk aircraft.