Chipmunk Is also the name of the
De Havilland DHC-1
Designed by the Canadian subsidiary company of the British airframe manufacturer De Havilland, it first entered service in 1946. It was primarily designed to replace the old Moth biplane. This subsidiary was famous for building the Mosquito Bomber. The Chipmunk was to be used as the primary training aircraft for the Royal Canadian Air Force, which it did between 1947-1971. The United Kingdom also made these planes for the same reason and made 1000 of these planes. In 1957 the Plane was removed as the primary training plane at the flight school based on RAF Cranwell for a newer aircraft. However in 1958 the Air Training Corps purchased 50 of them to use in their Air Experience Flight Squadrons. Where it remained in an active role until 1996 (The same year the Chipmunk celebrated its 50th Anniversary) before being replaced again by the Bulldog. The Chipmunk was a tandem two seat primary trainer where as the Bulldog had a side by side seating cockpit. The Chipmunk's specifications were:
Engine: de Havilland Gipsy Major 8 inline piston engine
Bhp: 145
Max Speed: 138 mph at sea level
Span: 34ft 4in (10.47m)
Length: 25ft 5in (7.74m) Wing area: 172.5 sq ft.
Height: 2.30m
Weight: 2100 lbs
Initial Climb Rate: 800ft per minute
Service Ceiling: 15,800 ft
Maximum Range: 280 miles