De Havilland Chipmunk T.10/T.20 by Airfix
1/48 scale
Kit No. A04105A
Retail: $35.00
Decals: Three versions – Irish Air Corps; Portuguese Air Force, 1951; His Royal Highness Prince Charles’ Chipmunk, The Queen’s Flight, 1968
Comments: Engraved panel lines and recessed and raised rivet detail, detailed cockpit
History
The de Havilland Canada DHC-1 Chipmunk is a two-seat, single engine primary trainer aircraft, designed to replace the DH.82 Tiger Moth biplane. It was the first true original design of the newly formed De Havilland Aircraft Company of Canada and attracted immediate air force interest. The Chipmunk—affectionately known as the “Chippie” and sometimes dubbed the “Poor Man’s Spitfire”‘—showcases the aircraft’s renowned aerobatic capabilities. With well-balanced controls, a low-wing configuration, and an airframe designed to withstand high-G maneuvers, the DHC-1 is a favorite among pilots for aerobatics and tailwheel training.
The prototype DHC-1 Chipmunk (CF-DIO-X) was flown for the first time by Pat Fillingham, a de Havilland test pilot, on May 22, 1946, from Downsview near Toronto and it attracted immediate interest from the military. Alongside the high level of interest from the Royal Canadian Air Force, it competed with the Fairey Primer for the contract to provide a basic training aircraft for the Royal Air Force.
Predominantly of all metal construction, with fabric covered wings aft of the spar, it also featured a sliding perspex canopy providing excellent 360 degree vision. Some 1,000 aircraft were built in the UK at Hatfield and Chester, with a further 217 built in Canada and 66 built by OGMA in Portugal. The RAF DHC-1 Chipmunk T.Mk 10 variant was powered by the Gipsy Major 8 engine. This type was exported widely, serving with at least 14 air forces in addition to the RAF and RCAF.
During the 1950’s and 1960’s, many aircraft were brought onto the British civil register by private owners and commercial organizations, especially after they were withdrawn from RAF service. These were mainly designated DHC-1 Chipmunk Mk.22 or DHC-1 Chipmunk Mk.23, and served as crop dusters and glider towing-tugs, as well as personal transport for those that could afford their own aircraft. They proved popular as they were fairly rugged and easy to maintain.
The simplicity and easy maintenance of the type made the DHC-1 Chipmunk very popular with flying schools around the world and after a period of evaluation at the Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment at Boscombe Down, a fully aerobatic DHC-1 Chipmunk was also adopted by the RAF. HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh actually learnt to fly in a DHC-1 Chipmunk and claimed it to be one of his favorite aircraft.
Other adaptations saw Chipmunk aircraft being extensively modified for competition aerobatics (including being re-engined and fitted with constant speed propeller and inverted fuel systems) whilst most of those employed in glider towing were typically re-engined with the 180hp Lycoming O-360. Some aircraft, particularly for Canadian use, were also fitted with a more aerodynamically refined one-piece bubble canopy, affording truly spectacular visibility from the cockpit. A side-by-side cabin arrangement was also designed as the DHC-2 but this was never produced and the DHC-2 designation was eventually allocated to the De Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver. Some 80 years after its first flight it is estimated that there are still hundreds of DHC-1 Chipmunks in operation around the world.
Specifications
Powerplant: One x 145hp De Havilland Gipsy Major 8 engine
Wingspan: 34 ft. 4 in.
Maximum Weight: 2,100 lbs.
Capacity: Two (pilot and instructor)
Maximum Speed: 138 mph
Cruising Speed: 119 mph
Range: 280 miles
The Kit
Airfix’ De Havilland Chipmunk T.10/T.20 is injection molded in grey plastic and consists of 84 parts, including 8 clear parts for the canopy and navigation lights. The airframe features engraved panel lines and recessed rivet detail throughout, plus small raised panels and rivet detail in a minority of places. There is raised internal sidewall detail in the dual cockpits also. The cockpits are well detailed with separate seat cushions for the seats, separate control yokes and instrument panels featuring raised details.
There is a detailed four-cylinder engine with separate engine mounts, a seven-part assembly which once complete, is cemented to the firewall forward of the cockpit. Engine panels can be cemented open or closed. The wings feature separately mounted ailerons, the horizontal tail has separate elevators, and there is a separate part for the rudder on the vertical tail. The kit is engineered so that each of these control surfaces can be positioned as the modeler desires. The air screw is a simple three-part assembly, with the propeller and the spinner molded as a single part.
In an unusual bit of detail, a rearview mirror is to be cemented to the interior of the windscreen. The remainder of the canopy consists of three additional plastic parts which are assembled on a specially provided jig — if only all kits with multi-part canopies had such equipment!
Markings
The kit decals, in-house creations by Airfix are perfectly in register and feature realistic color devoid of any bleed and a subtle semi-gloss finish. Despite the raised details featured on the instrument panels which can be brought out with a modest amount of drybrushing, the kit decals include markings for both of the Chipmunk’s instrument panels.
The first version is for Black 168, a Chipmunk T.20 of the Irish Air Corps, part of the Irish Historic Flight, but no date is given. This machine has a scheme of overall Silver or Natural Metal with a black anti-glare panel on the upper surface of the nose which will have to be painted on. It includes Yin-and-Yang markings in Orange and Green which are the roundels of the Irish Air Corps, accompanied by large tri-color flashes on the outer under surfaces of the wings in orange, white, and green.
The second version is for Black 1304, a Chipmunk T.20 of the Portuguese Air Force, a trainer of the Escola Militar Aeronautica, based at Granja do Marueus, circa 1951. This machine appears in a scheme of overall Silver or Natural Metal with a black anti-glare panel on the upper surface of the nose which will have to be painted on, in addition to a yellow flash on the rear fuselage and on the upper and lower wing surfaces. Its markings include red crosses on a white circle, and a green and red fin flash on the vertical tail.
The final version is a Chipmunk T.10 belonging to King Charles of England back when he was merely a youth referred to as His Royal Highness Prince Charles, a member of The Queens Flight, circa 1968. It is painted in an attractive scheme of overall Matt Red, with somewhat undersized RAF roundels and a diminutive fin flash of red, white and blue on the vertical tail.
Conclusion
This is a beautiful kit of the de Havilland Chipmunk. The detailed cockpit and ability to display the engine are major points in its favor, along with the ability to display the canopy open or closed. Very highly recommended.
References
- www.baesystems.com
- www.aopa.org