Aircraft Profile: de Havilland Chipmunk
The de Havilland Chipmunk is a two-seat tandem training aircraft once used to train pilots in the Irish Air Corps. Powered by a Gipsy Major 10 Mk 2 engine, it features a low-mounted wing and a clear Perspex canopy over both occupants.
Primarily metal in construction, with fabric-covered sections on the wings, the Chipmunk has conventional tailwheel landing gear. First flown in May 1946, the type went on to become one of de Havilland’s most successful training aircraft, with almost 1,300 produced.
Chipmunk 168
168 was built as a Chipmunk T.MK.20 by the de Havilland Aircraft Company Ltd, Broughton, Chester, UK. It was delivered new to the Irish Air Corps on 30th January 1952 and registered as 168. The last recorded flight of 168 for the Irish Air Corps was piloted by Comdt. Ralph James in July 1993 by which time it had accumulated 4,500 flight hours.
After 1993, the aircraft was put into storage, where it remained until it was donated to the IHFF. 168 was then converted to Civilian Mk 22 standard and registered with the Irish Aviation Authority as EI-HFA. Its first flight on the Irish civil register was in June 2015.
Chipmunk 169
169 was originally UK Royal Air Force WD.305 Chipmunk T.10. It flew over 4,500 hours with the RAF before being converted in 1962 for civilian use and registered with the UK CAA as G-ARGG.
Since entering civilian use, G-ARGG flew for another 6,000 hours with Air Navigation & Trading Co. Ltd, Blackpool. In 1987, the aircraft transferred into private ownership and was re-covered in Ceconite fabric. G-ARGG was acquired by the IHFF in 2015 and assigned Irish registration EI-HFB in May of that year.
Chipmunk 170
170 was first flown in September 1952 and flew over 6,500 hours with the UK Royal Air Force between then and September 1975. The aircraft was then converted to Mk 22 standard for civilian use and entered private ownership, where it remained until May 2015. While being privately operated in the UK, it carried the RAF paint scheme.
In 2012, the aircraft was re-covered with Ceconite fabric and painted in Irish Air Corps 170 markings. Upon transfer to the IHFF, the aircraft was registered as EI-HFC. It has now flown over 8,500 hours.