de Havilland Canada DHC-1 Chipmunk

History of the de Havilland Canada DHC-1 Chipmunk

de Havilland Canada (DHC) The DHC-1 "Chipmunk" basic trainer was developed immediately after World War II and entered service during the transition period of 19461947 Production in 1956 and 1956 reached a respectable 1,284 units. This single-engine, two-seat, low-wing product entered the inventory of the Royal Air Force (UK), the Royal Canadian Air Force and the Belgian Air Force, as well as the Portuguese Air Force.

Despite its Cold War heritage, the design continues to fly in limited quantities today (2021) in the military and civilian markets.

Despite the large number of aircraft models available after the end of World War II in 1945, the Canadian company de Havilland achieved commercial success with its new DHC-1. The design is used by various global operators to replace the aging family of de Havilland "Tiger Moth" biplanes whose general use in basic training roles has ended. The Tiger Moths were introduced in 1932, and by 1944 production had produced a total of 8,868 units.

By the end of the war, their obsolescence was inevitable.

The new DHC-1 stems from an initiative of the Canadian aerospace industry to continue producing aircraft products for the post-war reconstruction market. Since many Air Forces manage phase-out aircraft models, it's only right that this model benefits from budget-friendly alternatives.

This prioritized simple basic training types and prompted Canada-based DHC to develop its DHC-1 to outperform similar role designs that are due globally.

Specification

BASICS

Year of Service

1946

Origins

Canada

Status

Active.

Limited service.

Crew

2

Production

1,284

Manufacturer

de Havilland - Canada

Operator

Belgium; Burma (Burma); Canada; Ceylon; Denmark; Egypt; Ghana; Ireland; Iraq; Israel; Jordan; Kenya; Lebanon; Malaysia; Portugal; Saudi Arabia; Spain ;Syria;Southern Rhodesia;Thailand;United Kingdom;United States;Uruguay;Zambia

Roles

Training (General)

Develop the ability to become a dedicated student pilot instructor (usually under the supervision of an instructor).

Training (Basic)

For aerial training, covering the basics of flight, general handling, take-off/landing maneuvers, etc.

Dimensions and Weight

Length

25.4 feet

(7.75m)

Width/span

34. 3 feet

(10.45m)

Height

7. 1 ft

(2.15m)

Cured weight

1,521 lbs

(690kg)

MTOW

2,205 lbs

(1,000 kg)

Wgt Difference

+683 lbs

(+310 kg)

Performance

Installed:

1 x de Havilland Gipsy Major 1C 4-cylinder, 145 hp, air-cooled inline piston engine driving a twin-blade propeller unit on the nose.

Maximum speed

140 km/h

(225 km/h | 121 knots)

Maximum

15,748 feet

(4,800 m | 3 km)

Area

261 km

(420 km | 778 nautical miles)

rate of climb

900 ft/min

(274 m/min)

Range (MPH) Subsonic: <614mph | Transonic: 614-921 | Supersonic: 921-3836 | Hypersonic: 3836-7673 | Hypersonic: 7673-19180 | Reentry: > 19030

Armor

None.

VARIANTS

DHC-1 "Chipmunk" - Name of the base series. DHC-1A-1 (Chipmunk T. 1) - with Gipsy Major 1C engine; Royal Canadian Air Force operating model. DHC-1A-2 - Gypsy Major 10 engine. DHC-1B-1 - Gypsy Major 1C engine; high tolerance airframe. DHC-1B-2 - Gypsy Major 10 engine; high tolerance airframe.

DHC-1B-2-S1 - Egyptian Air Force model; Gypsy Major 10 engine. DHC-1B-2-S2 - Royal Thai Air Force model; Gypsy Major 10 engine. DHC-1B-2-S3 (Chipmunk T. 2) - RCAF operating model; Gypsy Major 10 engine. DHC-1B-2-S4 - Chilean Air Force model. DHC-1B-2-S5 (Chipmunk T. 2) - RCAF operating model.

Chipmunk T. 10 (Mk. 10) - Built in England for the RAF; Gypsy Major 8 engine; 736 examples completed. Chipmunk Mk. 20 - Export model T. 10; also locally built by Portugal. Chipmunk Mk. 21 - Civilian Mk. 20; complete 28 examples. Chipmunk Mk. 22 - Civilian T. 10 conversion model; Gypsy Major 10-2 (non-military 8 series). Chipmunk Mk. 22A - Mk. 22 with improved/expanded fuel system. Chipmunk Mk. 23 Agricultural sprayer platform; T. 10 airframe with Gipsy Major 10 (Series 2) engine; five examples converted. Chipmunk Masefield - Modified Mk. 20, Mark. 21, marked. 22 and Mk. 22A civil aircraft. Super Chipmunk - Aerobatics platform; Avco Lycoming GO-435 engine, 260 hp. Turbo Chipmunk - Mk. 1967 22A conversion; Rover 90 turboprop with 116 hp. Aerostructures Sundowner - Australian touring variant; easy to convert; powered by a 180 hp Lycoming O-360 engine.

Sasin Spraymaster - Agricultural sprayer for Australian agribusiness; three conversions. Supermunk - Prototype glider tugboat. Scholl Super Chipmunk - American aerobatic artist; changes include more powered engines and retractable landing gear.