Airfix De Havilland Chipmunk T.10 1:48 A04105
£24.99
Airfix De Havilland Chipmunk T.10 1:48 A04105
Airfix De Havilland Chipmunk T.10 1:48 A04105
With the de Havilland designed Tiger Moth biplane proving to be such an
important pilot training aircraft during the Second World War, it is no
wonder that the same company would have a say in producing its
replacement, when both the RCAF and Royal Air Force were looking to
upgrade their primary pilot training capabilities. In order to keep pace
with wartime aircraft production and to allow increasing numbers of
Canadian airmen to be trained, de Havilland established an overseas
subsidiary in Canada, the de Havilland Aircraft Company of Canada.
Following the end of WWII, the company began design work on a new
aircraft, one intended as a replacement for the ageing Tiger Moths still
in RCAF service. A tandem two seat monoplane, the new trainer
incorporated many advances over its predecessor, but shared many of its
design philosophies, in that it was intended to be both simple to
maintain and relatively forgiving to fly - these aircraft needed to be
in the air, earning their keep.Having the distinction of being the first
aircraft type designed and built by de Havilland Canada, the first
Chipmunk took to the skies in May 1946 and almost immediately gained
interest from the military.
By April 1948, the Royal Canadian Air Force had taken delivery of their
first Chipmunk, but they were not the only ones admiring the qualities
of this extremely capable aeroplane. The vast majority of the 1,283 de
Havilland Chipmunks built would be manufactured under licence in the UK,
in factories at Hatfield and Chester, with around 735 of these going on
to see service with the Royal Air Force, again as the direct
replacement for the venerable old Tiger Moth. In RAF service, the
British built machines were known as the de Havilland Chipmunk Mk.10 and
they would go on to provide basic flight training support many
thousands of future military aviators, in addition to providing air
experience opportunities for many more as part of the University Air
Squadron organisation.
Despite being a Canadian design, the Chipmunk has become one of the most
recognisable Royal Air Force aircraft of the post war era and has
enjoyed a military career which began in the early 1950s and continues
to this day. The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight still operate two
Chipmunks regularly, providing currency training for aircrew assigned to
fly the unit's historic 'taildraggers' and also to allow crews to
reconnoitre new display venues in advance of their show appearance. In
other situations, the aircraft can be used to deliver replacement
aircrew or spare parts, whilst the Flight's Spitfires and Hurricanes are
out on display duties during the Airshow season. These two Chipmunks
have ensured that the aircraft must now be regarded as one of the
longest serving types in Royal Air Force History.
With such an impressive military pedigree as this, it is also
interesting to note that the Chipmunk has gone on to become one of the
most popular aircraft types on the civilian aviation scheme and it is
estimated that well over 300 aircraft are still in airworthy condition
worldwide. Sometimes unfairly described as 'The poor man's Spitfire',
the Chipmunk surely now has to be regarded as a historic aircraft in its
own right and one which continues to underline the effectiveness of its
design. With aircraft formerly serving with the RAF, Army Air Corps,
Royal Navy and the mount of several RAF display teams, there is no
shortage of attractive schemes available for you to present your
Chipmunk in if you are lucky enough to own one, not to mention the fact
that the aircraft would also be operated by several overseas air forces
all over the world.
As a training aeroplane, it is obvious that more people would have
experience with the de Havilland Chipmunk as opposed to the more
glamourous front line aircraft types which are so popular with
enthusiasts, however, the opportunity to still fly in one of these
historic aeroplanes ensures that it continues to be held in great
affection by owners and enthusiasts alike. Importantly, the Chipmunk is
still fulfilling the role for which it was originally designed when
making its first flight 74 years ago, providing basic flying training
and allowing people to experience the thrill of flying for the first
time.
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