With the de Havilland designed Tiger Moth biplane proving to be such an important pilot training aircraft during the Second World War, it is no wonder that the same company would have a say in producing its replacement, when both the RCAF and Royal Air Force were looking to upgrade their primary pilot training capabilities. In order to keep pace with wartime aircraft production and to allow increasing numbers of Canadian airmen to be trained, de Havilland established an overseas subsidiary in Canada, the de Havilland Aircraft Company of Canada.
Following the end of WWII, the company began design work on a new aircraft, one intended as a replacement for the ageing Tiger Moths still in RCAF service. A tandem two seat monoplane, the new trainer incorporated many advances over its predecessor, but shared many of its design philosophies, in that it was intended to be both simple to maintain and relatively forgiving to fly - these aircraft needed to be in the air, earning their keep.Having the distinction of being the first aircraft type designed and built by de Havilland Canada, the first Chipmunk took to the skies in May 1946 and almost immediately gained interest from the military.
Model Scale 1:48
Number of Parts 84
Dimensions (mm) L161.5x W217
Skill Level 3