The De Havilland Canada DHC-1 Chipmunk

The Poor Man’s Spitfire
by Hugh Shields, Rod Brown, Jose Munkelt Goncalves and Rod Blievers

Designed by de Havilland Canada at the end of WWII to replace the DH82 Tiger Moth, the DHC-1 Chipmunk had a modest start. First flown on May 22, 1946 it was hoped that this new trainer would be adopted by military and civil training schools throughout the British Commonwealth. Faced with strong headwinds including post war foreign currency restrictions, a massive supply of ‘cheap’ surplus wartime trainers and an undeserved reputation regarding spinning, this sprightly trainer “based on full fighter characteristics” had a slow birth, but over the fullness of time has grown to become an iconic aviation legend affectionately known as the ‘Chippie’ or ‘Poor Man’s Spitfire’ due to its superb handling.

For the first time, the rich history of the Chipmunk has been told by those well equipped to tell the story. Authors Hugh Shields, Rod Brown, Jose Munkelt Goncalves and Rod Blievers, all Chipmunk owners or pilots, have joined to produce an authoritative work on the type which recognizes its place as one of the preeminent primary trainers in aviation history. Hailing from countries where the ‘Chippie’ served in large numbers including Canada, Great Britain, Portugal and Australia, each author offers a unique perspective on the types experienced around the world.

Starting from it’s genesis in the minds of the DHC design team at Downsview in Toronto, the book offers insight into the personnel involved, early development, certification, modification and production.

From here the book moves to De Havilland England where after extensive evaluation the type was adopted by the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, resulting in the decision to start production at Hatfield. This section includes detailed excerpts from the test flying program at Hatfield, cockpit development, allocation of aircraft serving with the Reserve Flying Schools, University Air Squadrons and much more.

Additional sections cover production and service of the type in Portugal and the Chipmunks sizeable contribution to civil aviation in far off Australia.

Readers will be captivated by the immense volume of information; including rare, never before published photos and manuals from the extensive personal collections and logs of DHC pre production test pilots Russ Bannock and George Neal, photos gleaned from the library of DH/Bombardier and archives throughout Canada, the UK, Portugal and Australia. Exploded view drawings, paint and markings, production lists, bibliography, glossary and index round out this fact filled book. With over 500 b/w and 125 colour photos and a foreword to the Canadian section by DHC test pilot George Neal, this definitive work on what many describe as ‘the finest handling propeller driven aircraft ever produced’ will be a welcome addition to any aviation enthusiast’s collection.

“Wow! Clearly the definitive treatise on the Chipmunk, chock full of photos never published before and with prose engagingly novel-like. A treasure for ‘Chipmunkers’ like me, and surely for any ‘true-blue’ aviation enthusiast. The authors captured a wealth of fascinating facts, and in the telling, the endearing but mischievous personality of this remarkable aircraft!”

-Bob Fassold, Major General, Canadian Forces (Ret’d), President and Chief Pilot of the Classic Aircraft Company providing pilot training and passenger flights in an ex-RCAF Chipmunk.

$69.95 Hardcover 432pp 8.5 x 11” 500+ b/w illustrations & artwork; 125 colour photos
ISBN 978-0-98125-440-1