Chipmunk 169

[Alan Murphy]

After two years of research, hard work and considerable investment, Chipmunk '169' has taken to the skies.

Hats of Declan Curtis for undertaking the project of transforming G-ARGG (ex-RAF WD305) into something truly special. Warbird experts Vintage Fabrics at Audley End were commissioned to carry out the refurbishment and paint work and the result is jaw-dropping, as you can see from these beautiful photographs courtesy of Berry Vissers of Squadron Prints Ltd.

The aircraft is a faithful replica of Chipmunk 169, as delivered by de Havilland to the Irish Air Corps in 1952.

Declan Curtis is contactable on declancurtis@talktalk.net if anyone would like to discuss the project.

Regards,

Alan

[Alan Murphy]

Another photograph...

[willo]

Very nice, know of any plans to visit these shores?

[Alan Murphy]

I understand that Irish displays are being discussed, but nothing confirmed at this stage.

If conditions allow, it is hoped that the aircraft will be permanently based in Ireland.

[michael747]

Nice!!! Where's it based?

[vanman]

Very nice, look forward to seeing it reality. Declan Curtis? Is this the same Declan Curtis, aircraft engineer and pilot for Air Contractors back in the nineties?

[fireblade900]

great! shes a real beaut!

Now all we need is another two of em...... 3 in formation, with the irish colours would make it sweet

[Comet]

Ye looks nice, but do the wing markings look too big, they seem huge.

[Alan Murphy]

Nice!!! Where's it based?

Currently in Scotland, but the aim is to base it here.

Very nice, look forward to seeing it reality. Declan Curtis? Is this the same Declan Curtis, aircraft engineer and pilot for Air Contractors back in the nineties?

The very one.

great! shes a real beaut!

Now all we need is another two of em...... 3 in formation, with the irish colours would make it sweet

This could be arranged ...

Ye looks nice, but do the wing markings look too big, they seem huge.

The roundel colour, sizes and positions are correct.

[Comet]

Thanks, just curious as all photographs that Ive seen had smaller roundel but then it had three colours in it. I remember the Spitfire at Duxford claimed that its colours were correct also but some ex Air Corps guys disagreed.It is hard to get it right.

[Alan Murphy]

In 169's case, the paintwork was based on original drawings, old photographs and plenty of consultation with the IAC, de Havilland sources, various historians and so on. I think the consultation process on this was fairly exhaustive. There are two very slight additions that the owner specified in the interest of safety and practicality.

The Air Corps changed to the new schemes two years (I think) after they took delivery of the Chipmunks, when the Tricolour boss etc was introduced. Most photos I've seen of IAC Chipmunks have the Tricolour boss, orange wingtip and empennage markings, stencilled serial numbers etc — ie, a completely different scheme to the original, as represented here by 169.

I think most people who undertake warbird projects go to a lot of time, effort and expense to ensure that details are as accurate as possible, but there will always be someone who disagrees (alas, usually without data to back up their assertions) — and that's the nature of the beast, I'm afraid.

[alphaLaura]

Great news Alan

[stovepipe]

Hi all,
Excellent work. Well done to all concerned.With regard to Air Corps paint schemes, there were often inconsistencies between aircraft, even the same type of aircraft. It wasn't unknown for there to be mistakes and deviations from the official paint scheme, especially on details such as stencilled warnings/decals, flag size, positioning, roundel size and positioning and so on.There are probably mistakes on fleet current aircraft. As for the Spitfire, it just looked absolutely beautiful in it's Air Corps scheme and the owner, from what I heard, was quite pissed off with people/wanchors finding fault with his paint scheme (wrong shade, apparently).Now it's in Dutch colours, yet still bears "161" on it's fin.
So, best of luck to the Chippie operators!;)
regards
Stovepipe

[OnTheNumbers]

Very nice ideed !

It'll be great to see it in the air and it'll be fantastic if it's based here. Bravo Declan !!

David

[OnTheNumbers]

at the risk of thred drift.... anyone know why early IAC roudels were only two colours?

David