planejunky
Charter Member
Did you know that 22nd May 2011 marks the 65th anniversary of the first flight of the DHC.1 Chipmunk? 
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!
Flaps 15 degrees, max power, keep her steady, tail up and airborne!
After take off we come round to beat up Little Gransden.
Now just enjoy the view!
Little Paxton nature reserve.
Over Southoe
Grafham Water
Under G's, that camera was getting heavy!
Yours truly at Conington with WD286. Incredibly she celebrates her 60th birthday next year!
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!
Flaps 15 degrees, max power, keep her steady, tail up and airborne!
After take off we come round to beat up Little Gransden.
Now just enjoy the view!
Little Paxton nature reserve.
Over Southoe
Grafham Water
Under G's, that camera was getting heavy!
Yours truly at Conington with WD286. Incredibly she celebrates her 60th birthday next year!
