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CHIPMUNK 75th ANNIVERSARY
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CHIPMUNK
75TH ANNIVERSARY
DHC-1 Chipmunks were basic trainers for the SAAF and ZS-COX's colours were the forerunner of the Harvard.
THE MUCH LOVED DE HAVILLAND
Chipmunk celebrated its 75th anniversary with a splendidly nostalgic gathering of De Havillands at Springs airfield on 22 May 2021. The DHC-1 Chipmunk was designed by De Havilland Canada as a replacement for the DH82A Tiger Moth, which was still in use as a basic trainer after World War 2. The ‘Chippie’ as she was affectionately known, was designed by Wsiewołod Jakimiuk, a Polish engineer. Jakimiuk served as the principal designer in the development of the new aircraft, which became known as the Chipmunk. He designed a cantilever monoplane that incorporated numerous advances over the typical trainer aircraft then in widespread service. These included: an enclosed cockpit complete with a rear-sliding canopy, as well as various
aerodynamic features to manage the aircraft’s flight performance. Strakes were fitted to deter spin conditions and stall breaker strips were added along the inboard leading edges of the wing to ensured that a stall would originate in this position as opposed to the outboard section. The Chipmunk was the first The ‘Chippie’ was designed indigenous aircraft design to be produced by de Havilland Canada. The Chipmunk prototype, by a Polish CF-DIO-X, first flew on 22 May 1946 at Downsview, Toronto, engineer piloted by Pat Fillingham, a test pilot who had been seconded from the parent de Havilland company. The prototype was powered by a 145 hp (108 kW) de Havilland Gipsy Major 1C air-cooled reciprocating engine, this was replaced on the production version of the Chipmunk by a 145 hp (108 kW) inline de Havilland Gipsy Major 8 engine.
The first in South Africa - DHC-1 Chipmunk ZS-BOA photo - Bill Teague
ZS-LJU is the oldest surviving South African Chippie.
The De Havilland Dragon Rapide made the journey all the way from Queenstown.
The 3 Chippies escorting the Rapide.
The first Chipmunks to be brought into South Africa were ZS-BOA & ZS-BOB which were Canadian-built aircraft. These were brought in for evaluation by the SAAF to replace the Tiger Moths as basic trainers, but the type wasn’t chosen as the SAAF decided to start basic training on the Harvard. ZS-BOA was production number 4 and BOB was production number 5. ZS-BOA was written off at Dunnottar on 3 June 1950 and ZS-BOB was sold in Rhodesia as VP-YKC in June 1952, having been operated by Transvaal Aviation Club. The type was well represented with a total of nine Chipmunks being present to celebrate the type’s 75th anniversary and it was exciting to see six of the nine aircraft present, painted up in their air force and civilian liveries. ZS-LJU is the oldest Chipmunk in the country, being serial number C1-0033. Three of these aircraft flew over to Rand Airport in the early morning to escort South Africa’s only DH Dragon Rapide (ZS-JGV) to the gathering at Springs. This aircraft belongs to Mark Sahd and is normally based in Queenstown. There were nine Tiger Moths present and three of them were painted in their WW2 SAAF liveries. Also present was a contingent of military re-enactors with their various well-maintained vehicles. To end off the day, all nine Chipmunks did a formation flypast. As far as we can ascertain this was the largest formation of Chipmunks ever flown in South Africa. With free breakfast provided for all the people present this turned out to be a fantastic although cold day for all concerned and I must thank the organisers who put on a fantastic day – well done folks. There was a large crowd present and I think that they all thoroughly enjoyed themselves.j
The mid air that ended well - The Swearingen airliner after a mid-air collision with a Cirrus SR22. THE USED RAPTOR ENGINES FROM SPACEX SN15'S SUCCESSFUL LANDING. THE COMPLEXITY, DESIGN FOR HUGE PRESSURES AND THE SIGNS OF THERMAL STRESSES ARE EVIDENT.
After hitting the airliner, the Cirrus was saved by its parachute. There was no loss of life at all.
paulcormack@propertyinsurancebrokers.co.za www.propertyinsurancebrokers.co.za propertyinsurancebrokers
HOEDSPRUIT AEROTEL GETS B727
ZANDSPRUIT Aero Estate in Hoedspruit is the brainchild of visionary property developer Martin den Dunnen.
Two years ago, Martin took delivery of a Boeing 737 ZS-BIL (see SA Flyer December 2019) which, after a marathon transport operation, was cleverly converted into an innovative up-market hotel with six en-suite rooms and a splendid common area of deck with swimming pool plus reception and dining rooms. The Aerotel opened on 10 October 2021 and despite the absence of big spending foreign tourists looking for an experience with a difference, the six-room Aerotel has been a success. So much so that Martin den Dunnen took the plunge again and this time purchased a Boeing 727 (the one with 3 engines) to provide an additional three VIP rooms.
Martin points about that as the 727 fuselage is longer than the 737 and there are half as many rooms, each room will be almost two and a half times larger than the first Aerotel. The new suites will be a true VIP experience. The conversion to a VIP hotel is made far easier by the 727 already being in a VIP configuration. Its last operator was the Djibouti government who used it as a VIP presidential transport – under the registration J2-KBA. It last flew in 2012 – after which it was left to ‘rust in peace’ at OR Tambo.
Given the reduced amount of conversion work required and the existing support infrastructure, Martin is hopeful that he will have the VIP suites open for business by 10 October – just a year after the 737 Aerotel opened. j
Transporting the Aerotel's second aircraft - this time a Boeing 727 - from Johannesburg to Hoedspruit was a major logistical excercise.
The wings are attached as it faces the magnificent Lowveld escarpment.
Picture: Guy Leitch
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