WP903 The Royal Chipmunk

@thereddragon903

The Aircraft

WP903 was manufactured in 1952 by DeHavilland. The Chipmunk is a tandem, two-seat, single-engined primary trainer aircraft which was the standard primary trainer for the Royal Canadian Air Force, Royal Air Force and nineteen other air forces through much of the post-Second World War years. Designed by Wsiewołod Jakimiuk, a polish pre-war engineer designed the trainer as a nearly all metal trainer with part fabric wings and fabric control surfaces utilising a 145hp De Havilland Gipsy Major engine.

The History

DHC-1 Chipmunk WP903 (G-BCGC)

Was built in 1952 and served with the RAF Queens Flight hence the unique Dayglo Red colour scheme and warning lamp (the 'Parrot'), which was a specific modification for its Royal service.

During its first assignment with the Queens Flight from 20^th September 1960 to 12^th June 1964 it was used to teach The Duke of Kent, Prince Michael and Prince William to fly.

Reassigned back to the Queens Flight in July 1969 it was used to teach Prince Charles, by his own instructor Sqn Ldr Philip Pinney, who flew a total of 101 flights. Starting training at RAF Tangmere, the Prince of Wales went on to fly his first solo at RAF Bassingbourn on January 14, 1969, followed by the award of his Private Pilots Licence in March 1969 and his RAF Preliminary Flying Badge on 2^nd August.

WP903 was then returned to No.27 MU at Shawbury in August 1970.

Whilst WP903 was the main Chipmunk to serve with the Queens Flight, WF848 also served between August 1954 and April 1955 for Prince Phillip's flying training at White Waltham and later from March to April 1979 WP904 was detached from the RN Grading Flight for Prince Andrew's flying instruction.

On leaving the RAF WP903 was acquired by the Culdrose Gliding Club in March 1974 serving as a Glider Tug until December 1996.

The Chipmunk has been based at RAF Henlow since December 2001 and is operated by the Henlow Chipmunk Group.

In 2020 with RAF Henlow airfield closing, WP903 found a new home and moved the very short distance to Old Warden.

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