70th Anniversary of the Chipmunk, Old Warden 22/05/16

Thanks for that

49.
19 in the formation = 16 in the ’70’ + 3 chasers
1 u/s in the maintenance hangar.
1 cockpit in the paddock.
3 were based there.
2 never landed after the formation.

How many Chippies turned up to the 70th do at Old Warden in the end ?

Full list of visitors here:—– http://derbosoft.proboards.com/thread/21582/chipmunk-70th-celebration-warden-sunday

How many Chippies turned up to the 70th do at Old Warden in the end ?

Thank you for your kind words and for the link to the super photographs.

There are no plans, at the moment, to arrange another 70th anniversary!

It is worth noting that this was arranged independently of Shuttleworth. All you need is a bunch of friends to agree to all turn up at the same airfield on the same day and you can create your own event. It really is that simple – almost. It is very email intensive – hours every day, replying to all the queries, most of which come from photographers asking to go liveside!

Then, it is only sensible, if the numbers are great, to have someone on the radio and a fire engine standing by, a hearty hot meal nearby and a good friend to organise a formation school and flypast.

Sywell has all that set up in situ, perhaps they should create the next one.

There will be a mini gathering at RIAT. I have arranged for seven Chipmunks to be in the static park. See you there?

Janie: is it likely to be repeated next year? Sadly I couldn’t get there but would’ve loved to have seen it. I was talking to one of the attendees yesterday at Old Buck and he echoed the comments made so far…

Ian

Although I could not make the gathering I will add my thanks and as Janie says being an ex cadet the Chipmunk has a special place in my heart.

As cadets we could never expect to fly a Spitfire so this was the next best to fly in, the fact it has a stick and smells so military piston,is agile and had wing roundels was enough!

More photos here (not mine sadly) https://www.flickr.com/photos/52287882@N05/sets/72157668677664036

Hi Ritch. Let me dish out a few credits for this. Firstly to the pilots themselves for doing this in their own time and at their own expense.

I’ve been flying my (syndicated) Chipmunk around the country for 16 years and the enthusiasm from swarms of ex-cadets and RAF pilots etc is nothing short of phenomenal. I’ve always wanted to get the old students back with their old Chipmunks.

The first Chipmunk gathering I created was at Oshkosh in 2010. We got nine.

In 2011, I created the 65th Anniversary at Panshanger. That was a great success, although the wind cut the numbers from an expected 46 to 22.

Last year, I got impatient and created the 69th Anniversary at Old Warden. 43 flying Chipmunks were there, down from the 60 expected.

This year I handed the reins over to the guys who had been doing ALL the hard work. I’ll take no credit for that. I’ve just been quietly(ish) motivating people behind the scenes.

John de Main – Airfield Manager at Old Warden on event days, radio operator and Shuttleworth liaison.

Steve Le-Vien – Radio Ops, organiser, pilot liaison, purveyor of gallons of blood sweat and tears.

Rod Brown – Formation organiser in the face of adversity.

Shuttleworth Catering Manager who was generous enough to give the de Havilland Chipmunk Appreciation Society (see Facebook) a discount in the restaurant.

I just organised the speaker, the group discount at the Collection, VIP attendance, discounted accommodation, fuel, Chipmunk book sale and the sunshine.

Then there’s the firemen, the videographer, air-to-air photographers and their pilots, check-in staff, refuellers, marshals etc who all deserve to have their names here. All working for the love of it.

We went along to this event last weekend. We love Old Warden at the best of times, but this was something very special indeed. Very well organised, excelent weather and just so friendly and laid back. The one hour open padock was very special, walking around on that Old Warden grass literaly surounded by Chipmunks was heaven. The aircraft owners / pilots where all so enthusiastic and ready to talk to all young or old. The flypast of 19 Chipmunks in formation was brilliant and looked and sounded perfect, the comentator in the tower said it brought tears to his eyes, well he wasn’t the only one.

I have been around aircraft for 40 years now and this was one of the very best days I can remember. I don’t know who the organisers are, but if any of you read this all I can say is thank you all for a special day and wonderfull event.

Ritch.

I saw the formation last Sunday just to the west of Bassingbourn – an impressive sight AND sound!

Rob