Chipmunks at Yeovilton

RNHF Chipmunk T 10 WK608 coded "906"

A tour at RNAS Yeovilton in June 2009 found three DHC 1 Chipmunk aircraft on the base. Two of these Chipmunks belong to the Royal Navy Historic Flight ( RNHF ), the third is a privately owned Chippy painted in Porteugese Air Force colours.

WK608 Chipmunk T 10 is active with the RNHF. It offers the Historic Flight pilots an opportunity to gain training hours in a tail wheel aircraft similar to the vintage Sea Fury and Swordfish they operate. It is currently the only Chipmunk still flying with the Royal Navy.

This aircraft has construction number C1/0617 and was delivered new to the RAF in 1952. In 1966 it was transferred to the Royal Navy and flew for many years from the Roborough airfield at Plymouth as part of the Britannia Royal Navy College ( BRNC ) before passing on to the RNHF at Yeovilton.

The RNHF also has Chipmunk T 10 WB657 coded "908"- this was seen stored unairworthy in large south side hanger at RNAS Yeovilton. It was delivered new to the RAF in 1950 and has c/n C1/0096.

Chipmunk G-BARS painted as "1377" of Port AF

Also based and airworthy at Yeovilton is Chipmunk 22 G-BARS. This is flown painted in Portuguese Air Force colours as serial "1377" - note that the Port AF did indeed operate Chipmunks but not this particular aircraft ( Port AF Chipmunk serials were 1301 to 1376 - "1377" is spurious ).

G-BARS was built in 1952 as a Chipmunk T 10 for the RAF with serial WK520. After 21 years service it was sold to the civil market and became G-BARS on 26.2.1973. The civilisation process would have included replacing the cartridge starter system. G-BARS was originally owned by Hawker Siddeley at Hawarden as part of their social flying club. After passing through various other owners it arrived at Yeovilton in 1998 in the possession of well known warbird pilot John Beattie.

By 12.07 this aircraft had accumulated over 8,344 flight hours.


LINK to photo of G-BARS while based at Hawarden in the 1970s