I am looking for RAF service photos of Chipmunk T.10 WG474. These appear to be rare on the web, none appear on a simple google – seems she was a little camera-shy! There are however plenty as G-BCSL (since 1974) and as WG474 in all-black RAF style colours (since 2008/9) though. An appeal on a regional forum has unearthed a delightful series of shots of her in Northumbria UAS colours August 1972. Now I need to seek the help of a major forum.
For those you who have Chipmunk photo collections, then WG474’s official service history, saw her flying with:
4 BFTS at Sywell, 11.51 to 3.53, coded ?
31 Sqdn/MCS at Hendon/Northolt, 7.53 to 4.59, coded CB:F, later F.
Oxford UAS at Bicester, briefly 6.60 to 9.60, presumed uncoded ?
1 FTS at Linton-on-Ouse, 5.61 to 6.67, coded ?
PFS/AOTC at Church Fenton, 6.67 to 11.69, coded 17
Northumbria UAS/11 AEF at Ouston, 11.69 to c.73, yellow spinner as individual code.
Knowing places and time periods might help with locating photos in collections. If anyone can fill-in the missing codes, that would be appreciated too. I have already had considerable help from ‘RMR’ of this forum tracing the service history.
By: Acklington - 30th October 2012 at 10:07
Ohh, and by the way, the tail is not black but actually a dark blue on Northumbria UAS Chipmunks!
http://derbosoft.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=furtherafield&action=display&thread=10654
Many thanks for clarifying that Phantom Phil, they always looked ‘black’, but part of me kept saying ‘no it’s a very dark blue’. I’ve worried about that for 40 years! 🙂
Also, just for the record (and since I posted those Ouston photos), the wingtips were also painted the same very dark blue.
By: Phantom Phil - 29th October 2012 at 20:50
Northumbria UAS, RAF Ouston
I think I may have some pictures of WG474 at RAF Ouston separate from the pictures in the link below. Give me a couple of days to dig them out!!
Ohh, and by the way, the tail is not black but actually a dark blue on Northumbria UAS Chipmunks!
http://derbosoft.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=furtherafield&action=display&thread=10654
By: viscount - 28th October 2012 at 20:26
I’ve let my request for anyone with service photos of WG474 simmer for 10 days. Although I did get a good lead via a PM, for which I thank DGH.
Since de-mob in 1974, WG474 has flown as G-BCSL in at least two schemes.
Today she flies from Liverpool John Lennon in a black RAF training style scheme, note the roundel colours have modified colours.
However it is not the civilian shots which are hard to locate, it is as WG474 between 1951 and 1974, with the units outlined in earlier posts, which I am seeking.
By: DGH - 18th October 2012 at 23:06
I’m afraid I dont have any photo’s of her in RAF service, have you tried Rod Brown and Bill Fisher?
To add a bit more detail to your service history, which I guess you already know, but…
20/11/51 – aircraft awaiting collection, de Havillands Brough
21/11/51 – No.4 BFTS Sywell
01/02/52 – damaged in a flying accident and declared Cat4R
06/02/52 – reclassified as Cat3R and authorised for repair on-site by de Havillands
21/03/52 – repairs completed by de Havillands
24/03/52 – returned to service with No.4 BFTS
10/03/53 – No.9MU RAF Cosford
06/07/53 – No.31 Sqn RAF Hendon
01/03/55 – Metropolitan Communications Sqn RAF Hendon
04/11/57 – Metropolitan Communications Sqn RAF Northolt
03/04/59 – No.22 MU RAF Silloth
14/06/60 – Oxford UAS, unit based at RAF Bicester but probably allocated from store for that years summer camp as was often the case
29/09/60 – No.27 MU RAF Shawbury
31/05/61 – No.1 FTS RAF Linton-on-Ouse
2?/09/66 – Declared Cat3R – probably for centre tie-bar replacement
28/09/66 – Authorised for repair on site by No.60 MU
02/11/66 – Repairs completed
03/11/66 – No.1 FTS RAF Linton-on-Ouse
08/06/67 – Primary Flying Squadron / Aircrew Officers Training School RAF Church Fenton
10/08/67 – Declared Cat3R
11/08/67 – Authorised for repair on site by No.60 MU, probably for a mod
24/08/67 – Primary Flying Squadron / Aircrew Officers Training School RAF Church Fenton
05/11/69 – Northumbrian UAS RAF Ouston
20/09/74 – No.5 MU RAF Kemble and declared a non-effective airframe
28/11/74 – Sold to JCC Wright (Banbury Plant Hire Ltd)
Maybe somebody got a shot when she was with one of the MU’s or they were on 1960’s summer camp? Best of luck. 🙂
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October 18, 2012 at 12:42 pm