Originally Posted by TonyBuilder

The Chippie was a favorite of the RAF


It is said that the de Havilland DHC-1 Chipmunk looks the way an airplane should look. Designed as a military trainer, the "Chippie" has a tapered wing and a narrow, sleek fuselage that give it the appearance of a petite World War II fighter. It also has that distinctively shaped vertical fin, the signature of many de Havilland designs (including the D.H.98 Mosquito fighter/bomber).

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As the propeller ticks to a stop, a new Chipmunk pilot usually just sits in the cockpit for a while wearing a smile that reveals his infatuation. The Chippie engenders that kind of affection from those lucky enough to fly one.


SPEC SHEET


De Havilland DHC-1 Chipmunk
Price as tested: $55,000
Specifications
Powerplant Rolls-Royce Gipsy Major 8 or 10-2, 4-cyl, inverted in-line, 145 hp @ 2,550 rpm
Recommended TBO 1,500 hr
Propeller Fairey Reed two-blade, fixed-pitch, 81-in dia
Length 25 ft 5 in
Height 7 ft
Wingspan 34 ft 4 in
Wing area 172.5 sq ft
Wing loading 12.8 lb/sq ft
Power loading 15.2 lb/hp
Seats 2
Empty weight (as tested) 1,517 lb
Max gross weight 2,200 lb
Max gross weight (aerobatics) 2,100 lb
Max useful load 683 lb
Payload w/full fuel 550 lb
Fuel capacity, std 22 gal
Oil capacity 8 qt
Baggage capacity 40 lb
Performance
Takeoff distance over 50-ft obstacle 1,350 ft
Max demonstrated crosswind component 10 kt
Rate of climb, sea level 800 fpm
Max level speed, sea level 120 KIAS
Cruise speed/range w/45-min rsv, std fuel (fuel consumption)
@ 75% power, 5,000 ft 95 kt/207 nm (7.5 gph)
Service ceiling 15,800 feet
Glide ratio 10.5:1
Landing distance over 50-ft obstacle 1,425 ft
Limiting and Recommended Airspeeds
Takeoff safety speed 56 KIAS
V X (best angle of climb) 56 KIAS
V Y (best rate of climb) 65 KIAS
V A (design maneuvering) 117 KIAS
V FE (max flap extended) 71 KIAS
V NO (max structural cruising) 155 KIAS
V NE (never exceed) 155 KIAS
Best-glide speed 60 KIAS
Final approach speed 60 KIAS
Max canopy-open speed 90 KIAS
V S1 (stall, clean) 47 KIAS
V S0 (stall, landing configuration) 43 KIAS


TB