Chipmunk flying!

[planejunky]

Did you know that 22nd May 2011 marks the 65th anniversary of the first flight of the DHC.1 Chipmunk? :cool: First flown in 1946, and still operated by both the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and RN Historic Flight for tail dragger training, this aeroplane trained the RAF's finest for over four decades, and wasn't finally retired from the Air Cadet's Air Experience Flight's until 1996.

On Monday I took to the skies in the wonderful little aeroplane.
Flying from Little Gransden to Conington, I took a camera along on the first hop to capture what was a beautiful autumn day over Cambridgeshire. With nowhere to safely stow my camera, I didn't fly on the outbound trip, but left the camera firmly on the ground for the hop home at 3000 ft for some exitement, then down to 1,700 via Old Warden's Shuttleworth Collection where we saw a Druine Turbi taking off. We circled round and formed up on their starboard wing, gave a wave, rocked the wings and peeled off back to Little Gransden. :d

I'd not flown a Chippy since I was a 14 year old cadet, so it really brought back some memories, and she's still a delight to fly! I can't wait to get back and fly her again in the near future!

Power check into wind: brakes on, Stick full back, power up to 1,800 RPM, mag drop checks, gen power light out, check sunglasses, looking cool, good to go!

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f126/planejunky/Chippy%20Flying/IMG_3135.jpg

Flaps 15 degrees, max power, keep her steady, tail up and airborne!

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f126/planejunky/Chippy%20Flying/IMG_3158.jpg

After take off we come round to beat up Little Gransden.

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f126/planejunky/Chippy%20Flying/DSCF0883.jpg


Now just enjoy the view!

Little Paxton nature reserve.

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f126/planejunky/Chippy%20Flying/DSCF0899.jpg

Over Southoe

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f126/planejunky/Chippy%20Flying/DSCF0903.jpg

Grafham Water

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f126/planejunky/Chippy%20Flying/DSCF0907.jpg


Under G's, that camera was getting heavy!

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f126/planejunky/Chippy%20Flying/DSCF0921.jpg

Yours truly at Conington with WD286. Incredibly she celebrates her 60th birthday next year!

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f126/planejunky/Chippy%20Flying/DSCF0929.jpg

[OleBoy]

The countryside is beautiful in your area. Wide open, flat and full of color. They way the streams and marshes, ponds are all over adds beautiful contrast to the overall aerial viewing experience. Just amazing shots.

[Moses03]

Nice! Always liked the little Chippie.

[Tako_Kichi]

My limited stick time in powered aircraft was in Chippies via the ATC (435 Sqn). Thanks for bringing back some great memories planejunky.

[planejunky]

Thanks guys, glad you like the pics! :jump:

[Ralf Roggeveen]

Great stuff! Thanks for sharing planejunky - brought back memories of Abingdon & Little Rissington in the '70s (I was terrified, but managed all of 13 hours!) :salute: