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. Designed to replace the venerable Tiger Moth, the de Havilland Chipmunk was the first true postwar aviation project of de Havilland Canada.
Today, over 500 DHC-1 Chipmunk (affectionately known as "Chippie") airframes remain airworthy with more being rebuilt every year.
Pictured above is a Chipmunk T Mk.10, one of 735 operated by the RAF. They initially served with Reserve Flying Squadrons (RFS) of the RAF Volunteer Reserve as well as the University Air Squadrons. RAF Chipmunks continued to perform Air Experience Flights for the Air Training Corps Cadets until it was replaced by the Scottish Aviation Bulldog in 1996. Chipmunk T.10s were also used by the Army Air Corps and Fleet Air Arm for primary training. As well as training 3 generations of pilots, the Chipmunk also has the distinction of being one of the more unusual 'spy planes' operated by the RAF, used for covert reconnaissance of Soviet Forces over Berlin during the Cold War.
A small number of Chipmunks remain in military service with the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, the Royal Navy and Army historic flights.
Modified for links!
Aircraft is the excellent De Havilland Chipmunk by Rick Piper, found here: http://www.simviation.com/fs2004props29.htm
Scenery is VFR Jesenicko here: http://www.mzak.cz/fs/jes/download.php?en
