de Havilland Chipmunk, Old Warden 2009 ©Nigel Key
ROLE
Trainer.
FIRST FLIGHT
22 May 1946.
Designed by de Havilland, the Chipmunk was developed as a replacement for the Tiger Moth bi-plane trainer.
The Chipmunk is an all metal, low wing, 2-seat trainer with fabric covered control surfaces and wings aft of the spar. The pilot and student are protected from the elements by a sliding Perspex canopy.
Early built Chipmunks are noticeably different from later models versions by the style of the canopy. The early version had a multi-panelled sliding canopy whilst the later Canadian versions had a 'bubble' canopy.
PRODUCTION
The De Havilland Chipmunk was produced from 1947 to 1956, with 1,284 built.
ENGINE
Gipsy Major 8 or 10, producing 145 hp.
ARMAMENT
None.
Two Chipmunk aircraft were evaluated at RAF Boscombe Down by the Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment (A&AEE) resulting in the Chipmunk being ordered as a trainer for the Royal Air Force.
The Chipmunk was also adopted by the Royal Canadian Air Force as their primary trainer.
The Chipmunk became a popular civilian aircraft from the 1950's being used for training, aerobatics and crop spraying.
| Crew - 1 or 2 (in tandem) |
| Length - 25ft 5in (7.75m) |
| Wingspan - 34ft 4in (10.45m) |
| Height - 7ft 1in (2.16m) |
| Empty Weight - 1,517lb (688kg) |
| Max. Weight - 2,200lb (998kg) |
| Max. Speed - 138 mph (222 km/h) |
| Range - 259 miles (417 km) |
