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Takes me back to Air Experience flights in the ATC 1966 Sqdn, West Lancs Wing. 1960’s.

Learnt to fly in a Chipmunk 1967 to 1970 at Springs Airfield in South Africa. The Chippies owner was Alec Saul who used to let me fly and pay him when I got my wages at the end of the month. I was 17 at the time and solo was at 17 before I could legally drive. A solid good man from the generation who fought World War 2.

Thank you, Sir, for the video that has bought back memories from my adolescence. In the late 70s, I was a member of the Combined Cadet Force at Magdalen College School Oxford, (I was in the Air Section). We used to be taken out to fly from RAF Abingdon in Oxford. It was the first time I had ever been more than 100ft off the ground. Excitement overload or what? On one occasion my pilot was the head of the Air section, Sqdn Leader "Freddie" Barrett, who had flown De Havilland Vampires in the 50s. I believe he saw active service. Any way, he was a bit of a damp squib in the classroom, (my ex-geography teacher), but up in the air he was an absolute madman! We did some of the most unbelievable maneuvers! He let me fly the aero plane for a bit too. Sadly, he is now passed, but I will never forget the day I flew With Freddie Barret. Rest in peace Sir.

Wasn't it wonderful as a kid to have the exchange "You have control" "I have control Sir". I also was an Air Cadet and had Air Experience Flying in these venerable aircraft out of RAF Woodvale in the 1970's.. Inevitably they smelled of vomit and so in our neck of the woods earned the nickname of Sickmunk. Enjoyed the vid - former spacey, former RAF Chaplain, former Air Cadet Chaplain after that. Subscribed.

Just found your channel. I completed my "flying grading" and first soloed in a Chipmunk at Roborough Airport with the Royal Navy Britannia Flight with in 1970. To this day I still remember the downwind checks: (MFFHHB) Mixture, fuel, flaps, hood, harness, brakes. Happy memories.

Thanks! I have been obsessed with the Chipmunk since my days in the Dover College CCF in the 1960s. We used to fly from Manston too (with Squadron Leader Weekes). Walking out to the idling Chipmunk, bent over, climbing on the wing and into the rear cockpit, tightening all the straps, was an unforgettable experience. Taking off and landing on the grass was thrilling. Aerobatics, with the airframe shaking in the dive, and the wing dipped over the bay below was a privilege. Cruising around the coast and back to Manston with me at the controls was a joy! I have since gained my wings in Pipers and Cessnas, but there has never been anything like the Chippie!

Great memories of flying in the Chipmunk at Marshalls Cambridge. When I was in 1476 Sqdn Rayleigh. Mostly back in the 60's

My first ever flight in a 2 seater was in a Chipmunk at RAF Benson during the late 80s when I was at 5F Squadron ATC in Northampton. Was the most amazing thing that happened to me at the time and gave me a life long desire to learn to fly.

Hi Andy...thanks for a very informative video on that wonderful little machine...the Chipmunk. As an engineer my first experience with the Chipmunk was at Middle Wallop in the early sixties with the Army Air Corps. After my Army service I worked in Canada for many years where I specialized in major aircraft structural repair work. During that time I repaired some badly damaged ex RCAF chipmunks which were in civilian ownership...and on my return to the UK I continued my structural repair work on a self employed basis and was involved in much chipmunk repair work in East Anglia right up to shortly after the covid plandemic when I decided I had had enough and ( kind of ) hung up my tools.!!

It is a nostalgic, well designed, well harmonised little aeroplane and a delight to fly.

Great new channel. Great subject. I too was a member of 438 Sqdn in the mid fifties. We were based at Ramsgate airfield but often went to Northdown Park HQ for band practice. No flying available to us then,but much later spent many happy hours flying the Chipmunk at RAF Newton with ATC cadets in the back while the day job was flying the Vulcan at nearby Cottesmore. Keep up the good work with both your channels.

Very well done doc. I bumped into a former RCAF F86 pilot a couple of years ago here in Toronto, he said he had trained on Chipmunks and Harvards. The Chipmunk was apparently a beautiful aircraft to fly, but the "Harvard was - a - b****!"

Cheers Andy. Like you, my first flight was in a DH Chipmunk, as an Air cadet way back in 1976, at wood-vale flying-club, on the Lancashire coast. i remember enjoying the flight, but being too scared to take the controls! [I was 13] and feeling embarrassed when I was singled out to demonstrate how to wear the parachute harness. Thank you for an informative feature, I look forward to seeing more of your posts.

I first flew in a Chipmunk in 1981, with the Air Cadets. You missed out some history. During WW2 pilots were being trained in Canada on the Tiger Moth. DHC made several modifications to these including tail wheel, brakes, canopy and I think heater. To make them easier to fly in the winter. So, effectively the Chipmunk is a rewinged Tiger Moth. I worked in Downsview for a couple of years and visited the original factory. There was an outline of a Chipmunk where the first one had been assembled.

I did my first solo on a civilian Chippie when I was young and stupid, lovely aircraft to fly once trimmed out and set she’s a dream. There are also two still serving with the BBMF.

First flew the Chipmunk in the late 50’s after time on the Tiger, continued on the DHC1 a decade on as an Instructor, many happy hours in one of my favourite aircraft.

Once had a very nice bit of dual in a "Chippy" at Kemble in Gloucestershire. The instructor was an ex-Spitfire WW2 veteran. Whilst airborne, he spotted the "Utterly Butterly" wing-walking girls from nearby Rendcomb airfield (in Stearmans). Following a quick radio call, we formatted on them and had a lovely end to the flight. I thought the Chipmunk had beautifully harmonised controls, but, the rather 'scattered' layout of the switches left something to be desired. A nice one to have in the logbook if you get the chance !

I was a member of 438 Squadron ATC back in 1961-63, back in those days on a Friday evening up at Northdown Park Cliftonville, when parading before going home, sometimes the Officer in charge asked those who’d like to go flying on theSunday, hands would shoot up and if you were chosen you felt excited at the prospect. So I would cycle my way up there and then find that a squadron from London had been bussed down and we were told that if at the end of the day there was a space we could get a flight, sadly the two times I went up there it never happened. However, I did eventually get to fly in a Chipmunk at ATC camp down in the West Country, it was quite frightening to a 14 year old that had never flown before, there were many air pockets around the base that the Chipmunk dropped into…at the end of the week we were all driven down to, I recall was RAF Colerne where we were treated to a flight in a De Havilland Comet down to Lands End and back the real icing on the cake. When I was a member of 438, the C.O. was Squadron Leader Rootes. Halcyon memories of a long time ago.

The Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum here in my hometown of Hamilton, Ontario, has a nice example of a Canadian built Chipmunk that’s flown on a regular basis. As a matter of fact it’s one of several aircraft that are available for paid flights (including a Tiger Moth and our pride and joy, VRA, our Canadian built Avro Lancaster). I’m considering a couple myself (the Chippy and TMoth are both $250 a flight, plus membership) while the Lanc tops the list at $3900 CDN. Even at that price there’s a waiting list.

I had a few flights in Chipmonks at RAF Abingdon near Oxford with the Air Cadets in the 1970s. Great fun. I remember well the rather dated safety film made by the Southampton ATC squadron and the parachute that made it hard to walk. Think they were replaced by Bulldogs. Edit: I remember one cocky cadet that was always bragging about everything. He ate a whole Battenberg cake on the coach on the way there for his first flight with predictable results.

I did a couple of AEF outings from RAF Newton near Nottingham in a Chipmunk in 1970. I never took to flying, but it was a valuable experience.

Very special to me too for the same reason. 162 Stockport Squadron (The Bonecrushers). Did a good few flights from RAF Woodvale, RAF Abingdon, in Chippies, and also from a few other AEFs round the UK. Great memories from those days! I joined 1988 and left in 1995, never experienced the Bulldog, just as well really as I didn't like it! The Chipmunk had a real 'Spitfire' feel to it that you just didn't get with side by side seating in the Bulldog!

First flight 07 12 1975...WP805, 6AEF Abingdon... Never forget your first flight in Chippy....

Yep, 82nd Squadron ATC 1972-75 and yes that safety video was ingrained on my memory “you should be slightly bent” 😂😂😂. I flew the AEF Chipmunks and later as an instructor I would ride as safety pilot for a friend who owned a private one G-AMUF out of Redhill. Good times.

.....I flew Puss Moth at 11 then was up for solo in Chippy at 2.45 hrs easy to wheel land! Spinning banned in 74' due to accidents in Australia.Much easier to roll than Tiger but slower/longer taking off rolls for ever landing on runway.We had Canadian canopied one in 1968.

I flew 108 hours in a Chipmunk; Liverpool Air Squadron. At the end, HM gave me a Permanent Commission in GD(P). Early on had a bad habit of not coming out of spins when 2 up. Strakes in front of the tail fixed that.....also they found at high speed, the canopy could not open, so little yellow and black ball overhead - pull it and hatch into airflow breakng the vacuum and allowing you to bale out. CAVU skies all!

This is an excellent move Andy. Made my day you deciding to give us an aviation site . Wishing you well with this venture.

Sounds interesting Andy 👍

Hi Andy, I have subscribed and watched this first informative video and I have a friend who is also an aviation fan so I will share this with him. Whilst on the subject of De Havilland did you know that there was one member of that family who didn't go into aviation but took up acting as a career choice...the one time star of many a film, Olivia De Haviland, who gave many a male a "flight" of fancy in their day...(see what I did there...😄) Take care Andy, see you in the next one... Jon B.

I got a chance to fly a 300 HP Super Chipmunk belonging to a buddy of mine! Talk about a sweet flying aircraft! It has such a wide performance envelope, therefore the when performing aerobatics, you don't have to worry about keeping it within speed limitations, it is a STOUT machine, the spar is HUGE! Now if you're into more advanced aerobatics, you will need to clip the wings because you CAN overstress the stock wings!

Hi Andy looking forward best of luck ✈️🛩️👍🏻☘️☘️☘️

My first flight was in a Chipmunk in 1970 at RAF Shawbury on Annual Camp with 455 Squadron ATC, I can still smell the hot leather etc

Beautiful video! Thank you for posting

Cracking video - thank you👍😊

1962 , ATC 8f Coventry. flying Chipmunks from RAF Cosford , once a month !

Great video

The Chipmunk was the first aircraft that I flew in, with Paisley ATC from RAF Turnhouse, an amazing experience, you saying about the parachute reminded me that it was our NCO's who strapped me into it and they had it that tight I think that my back would have broken should I have to use it.

Nice review of a unique and pleasing airframe. You have earned my subscription. Well done.

And the Harry monk 🤣 I was very proud to fly an aircraft built in our town .I have to admit I thought the road was named after the aircraft .not the other way round ..is it the same for comet way ... sadly the factory is now gone ..the design office is now Hatfield police station . But they have a small museum underneath in the old bunker. ...the security guard house is now a KFC . The last aircraft to leave Hatfield was the BAe 146 used for the queen's ( now kings ) flight . Thanks for this ..I will be sharing it with all the ex ATC I still know .

Andy thank you for sharing your aviation channel, I am going to go through all the vids. congratulations on your origional channel which has grown very organically! I think its because you speak the truth and say it exactly as most of us are thinking ! 👍👍

I to, was in the Air Training Corps (489 Squadron, Olten & Acocks Green, Birmingham). My air experience flight was at RAF Valley in 1975. I believe the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight still use a pair of Chipmunk’s for pilot familiarisation of tail dragging aircraft.

Hey Andy, I hope you remember me from your main channel? Fellow aviation nut here 😉 Also ATC in my teens, flew Chipmunks, went on to solo on the same at RAF Newton, Scottish Aviation Bulldog was my next experience, qualifying in the early 80s , many types now flown .

Good video. Thankyou. But please don’t use reverse photos it’s makes the exhaust look wrong amongst other things

Great information Andy, having an interest in aircraft and flying , best wishes for the future of the channel 👍

ATC cadet early 70s flight experience at Marshalls Cambridge. Happy days.

As Brian Lecomber put it, designed to be better than the Tiger Moth which wouldn't have been difficult as a plank nailed to the top of a milk float would have managed that.

Nice to see a vid on plane doesn’t get a lot of attention. I have seen a few civilian owned show up at airplane events.

Went there too ATC my first ever flight in a chippie 😊around 64 ❤

Good channel, like n sub

Chipmunk fact: It's nigh impossible for a short 13year old sitting in be back to see forward when taxiing on three wheels.

Am I alone in thinking it is a beautiful looking aircraft regardless of what angle you view it from??

IF i had a wish-list of planes i wanted to fly in - it would go something like ...Spitfire (obviously)....P51 Mustang....Douglas DC3 Dekota.......I absolutely love those aircraft, probably because I've built them from Airfix models many times! :)

Yes the chipmunk was the first plane I flew in at 14 yrs old. Flew from Exeter with 1064sqdn Axminster & Colyton grammar school

I am ex atc also joined in 91 for 7 and half years I been in the chippy many times and I rem the jump johnny jump it was funny, I used to mostly go from manston it was the time in atc I managed to get a lot out of it.

Just, given a sub.

Its like a tiger moth with a lid on and a wing missing. Hopefully it had a fuel pump, whereas you know the fuel tank on a tiger is above your head

That's a cute little plane that is, and what a cute name - chipmunk!

Wow lots of ex ATC on here . Cool

In 1964 the first passenger plane landed in Cork airport. It was the BOAC comet 4 jet. It was on charter to aer Lingus and flew in from Dublin. It visited cork twice on the day, taking french students to Paris then returning with a group of holiday makers to Ireland. As the jet landed and passengers disembarked large crowds gathered to see them. How time's change 🛩️👍🏻☘️☘️☘️

I found you 👍👍😆

The Hatfield home of De Havilland now gone ☹️

If you want to see the De Havilland heritage of the Chipmunk, have a look at the tail end of the DH Hornet F.I fighter, and the Mosquito for that matter.

2203 sqn. many years ago

Did you never wonder how the parachute worked. I'd always had a vision of dangling by the arse. Like you the chipmonk has a place having being allowed to fly it and the acrobatics the pilot did.

I am part of the RCACS 903 squadron in Canada, would love for you to contact me

It surely is. A de Havilland classic, even if it was de Havilland Canada designed.