De Havilland Chipmunk T.10 WP912

The Chipmunk entered RAF service in 1950, replacing the Tiger Moth as as an initial pilot trainer, offering relatively modern features such as flaps, brakes, radio and an enclosed cockpit. His Royal Highness Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh, learned to fly this Chipmunk - he made his first solo flight on 20 December 1952.

Chipmunks equipped the RAF’s University Air Squadrons until 1973. Although the type was retired from flying training in 1993, Chipmunks continued to serve with the RAF’s Air Experience Flights until 1996, with which many thousands of Air Training Corps and Combined Cadet Force cadets have had their first taste of flight. Over seven-hundred Chipmunks were built for the RAF, some of which also served with the Army and the Royal Navy. A substantial number of civilian Chipmunks are still flying in countries around the world.