Back in August 1974, as a young ATC cadet on summer camp at RAF West Raynham in Norfolk, I had my first air experience flight in a Chipmunk. For many years after that I kept a logbook which contained the details of every aircraft that I had been inside, or flown in. Sadly, somewhere down the line, this has been lost and I have often wondered what the serial number of that Chipmunk was. I’m hoping that the knowledgeable people who post on this website may be able to help me to identify the aircraft. I’m pretty sure that it will be imposible to get a definitive answer, as if my failing memory is remotely accurate, there were two in use during the camp.
Any help at all that anyone can give will be very welcome – thanks in advance and optimism!
By: Tango Charlie - 31st December 2013 at 11:00
I cannot help you Andrew, but reading your post reminds me that I still need to look up my old ATC log book to find out the serials for the two Chippies I flew in at summer camp RAF Brawdy 76. I was also lucky enough to get a seat on a visiting Hastings. Having strapped in with another 18 cadets we waited in anticipation as one after the other the engines roared into life until number four was tried. Despite all attempts over 30 minutes it failed to start, all 18 cadets left the aircraft feeling terribly disappointed. Because we failed to get airborne the serial was not logged, is she a survivor? I managed a flight in the stations ASR Whirlwind as compensation, it put me off rotary flying machines for life!
By: andrewclark - 31st December 2013 at 08:31
Thanks Guys. I’ve finally got around to joining the PPRUNE forum and asking this question on the Military Aircrew forum, so we’ll see what happens. I’d also be really grateful to Amarok if he could check with his brother. Any little clue might help. Thanks again and a Happy New Year to all.
By: bazv - 29th November 2013 at 18:22
Andrew…
If you do not get an answer on here – it would be worth joining the PPRUNE forum and asking on the Military Aircrew forum…there are quite a few ex (and current) Chipmunk pilots on there and they love the chippies : )
Otherwise you will be lucky to get definite ID because summer camp chippies were often just on loan from other units with a spare aircraft !
Good luck in your quest,my 3822 also went AWOL and I have no idea which a/c I flew in either LOL
rgds baz
By: Arabella-Cox - 29th November 2013 at 18:14
Nice raffle price !
Yep, a Beagle Husky for £ 100:00, that was the price of a ticket.
Planemike
By: David Burke - 29th November 2013 at 17:59
Nice raffle price !
By: Arabella-Cox - 29th November 2013 at 17:15
Welcome Andrew ?
The experience flights were provided by 5 AEF (Air Experience Flight) from Cambridge with 3 Chippies and we also had a Beagle Husky which had been presented to the ATC by the TV presenter Hughie Green 😎
all my flights for the week were in the Husky
Indeed, welcome Andrew…
Apologies for being a pedant (and thread drift !!)……….. however Husky XW635 was presented to the ATC by Sir Billy Butlin who had won it in a raffle. Christened “Spirit of Butlins”, I believe.
Planemike
By: Amarok - 29th November 2013 at 12:10
Welcome Andrew ?
I also was in the Air Cadets 1970 -1976 and my summer camp in 1973 was at RAF Wyton, Hunts. The experience flights were provided by 5 AEF (Air Experience Flight) from Cambridge with 3 Chippies and we also had a Beagle Husky which had been presented to the ATC by the TV presenter Hughie Green 😎
all my flights for the week were in the Husky
By coincidence my younger brother was at RAF West Raynham for summer Camp in 1974 so I will ask him to check his log book (3822). You could try and contact 5 AEF who might have a list of the chippies operated in the 1970’s I am not sure but I suspect All the chippies in the AEF fleet were rotated as at the time they were having the colours changed from Dayglo to Red, White & Grey.
5 AEF is a good start 🙂
Update just found this snippet
5 AEF Chipmunks
WG458 12/9/73
WP979 15/6/74
WP804 22/8/74
WG458 17/11/74
WB652 19/1/75
WP804 at Wyton
http://forum.keypublishing.com/showthread.php?27872-Chipmunks/page5
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November 28, 2013 at 8:59 pm