Thursday 27 September 2012

Chipmunks three at Pukaki.

De Havilland Canada DHC-1 Chipmunk ZK-ARL (c/n 61) is a Canadian built civil example. It was first listed with the De Havilland Aircraft Company of NZ on 27-04-1949 and gained its NZ CofA on 31-08-1949 having been listed to the Wellington Aero Club on 11-07-1949. It went into private ownership in October 1954 and some eight owners later was damaged in February 1983  at Orewa. Its damaged airframe moved South to West Melton, being noted there in August of 1989. After repairs it was listed to Jim Chapman on 21-03-1990, with whom it remains.
http://nzcivair.blogspot.co.nz/2011/03/i-remember-when.html

The other two Chipmunks were UK built for military service with the RAF.
A history of ZK-CPY (c/n C1-0389) can be seen at :-
http://nzcivair.blogspot.co.nz/2009/03/chipmunk-zk-cpy.html
It moved from the US to Australia and became VH-NMX on 28-03-1991 and had at least four owners before being cancelled as exported to NZ on 12-04-2006.
Above is the De Havilland DHC-1 Chipmunk T10 ZK-XUK (c/n C1-0087). A very apt registration as it is indeed ex UK having served as WB647from June 1950 with the RAF and later with the British Army Air Corps, who's markings it still retains. It came to NZ and first flew from West Melton on 11-11-1997 for Lou McAllister from over Cust way.
All three are based in the Christchurch area and took part in the Wings Over Water display.

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