Thanks for info. had a look. I don't have any 50+ Photos. You could say I'm a frustrated aviator, having done an ATC 30 hr. flying scholarship in Tiger Moths, PPL at 17 in 1953 before I could drive, then St A UAS. I was going for RAF, but eyesight not good enough..... I have flown on and off (mostly off) since, having the use of a Company Rallye Club for a while, then a few years as a gliding instructor, and part ownership of a Schiebe Falke motorglider. Now nothing except radio controlled models (much more difficult!). As far as stories about Chipmunks, nothing personal, but I do remember St A UAS had a glass case with a neatly sliced tailwheel trophy as a result of a line astern formation sortie! In those days the Chippies were almost new, and I can remember the smell of the black cockpit paint, oil, and cordite from the cartridge starter. (are they now all electric?) Our radios were 10 channel only, and there was much less regulation than now- more fun? We had I think two Chippies lost through spinning fatalities at Scone (Perth) , and after that 6000ft was manadory for spin practice. We also had the luxury of a special low flying area for miles of reed beds in the Tay estuary, and one Squadron Leader's speciality was leaving a long curving wake in the reeds, then nipping through a gap in the trees. He also showed a few cadets the underside of a certain bridge! He said you should always do it at the centre where the number couldn't be read, and at low tide! He died of old age..... - you'd get jailed for that now!
I have a friend who has flown umpteen types and still test flies light aircraft, and he says the Chipmunk is his yardstick of the best harmonised controls ever, and still is - a beautiful design years ahead of its time.
Won't bore any more, Murray.
