de Havilland DHC-1 Chipmunk
WK517 G-ULAS
POA
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INTRODUCTION
The DHC-1 Chipmunk was designed as a primary trainer shortly after World War II (principally) by Wsiewołod Jakimiuk, a Polish pre-war engineer. The purpose of development was to replace the de Havilland Tiger Moth as a military training aircraft.
The Chipmunk is an all-metal (except for the fabric-covered control surfaces), low-wing, tandem two-place, single-engined airplane with a conventional tail-wheel landing gear.
The prototype first flew on 22 May 1946 in Toronto and had a total production run of 158 for RCAF use, while de Havilland (UK) produced 740 airplanes for training at various RAF and
University Air Squadrons during the late 1940s and into the 1950s. The Chipmunk remained an ab initio training aircraft in the British Military until 1996, when it was replaced by the Scottish Aviation Bulldog.
This aircraft ‘WK517’ was built in 1952 and delivered on the 29th of January (of the same year) to the British Royal Air Force. It took part in the Silver Jubilee Flypast in 1977 and served with 9, 10, and 11 AEF RAF squadrons training cadets. The aircraft entered civilian life in 1996 and continues to fly as a very nice example to the present day!
Manufacturer
de Havilland
Model
DHC-1 Chipmunk T.10
Registration
G-ULAS
Serial Number
C1/0554
Year Constructed
1952
Airframe Hours
12,936
Engine
Gypsy Major Mk 2
Engine Hours
TBC
Propeller
Fairey Reed A66753/X1
Livery
WK517
Avionics
Trig TY91 8.33khz VHF Transceiver
Equipment
Nil
History
Built in 1952 and delivered to the British Royal Air Force on 29th January 1952 where it was assigned its military number WK517.
The aircraft is known to have visited Liverpool Airport on 06th
September 1956 from Hooton Park.
During May 1976 the aircraft was operated by 9 AEF (Air Experience Flight RAF) providing flights to cadets.
In 1977, the aircraft took part in the Silver Jubilee Flypast (11
AEF no 84) in Formation 3, marking the 25th anniversary of
Queen Elizabeth.
In 1989 this Chipmunk flew with 9 AEF and in 1993 with 11 AEF, out of Leeming.
On the 29th and 30th of July 1997, the aircraft took part in a
training wave formation at RAF Finningly (RAF Review) (10
AEF/84).
On the 14th of June 1996, the aircraft finally retired from the RAF with its long standing service record and entered civilian life as G-ULAS
