Great video. I’m halfway through this and was looking for a bit of guidance and was also puzzled about the extra canopy pieces . You have helped massively. I’ve subscribed as I’m sure your videos will be helpful in the future!! Thanks for the work you have done with this
Nice one! I'm building the chippy for my old dad who used to fly them way back when... Gotta say I wasn't as happy as you seemed to be with the canopy set-up that Airfix came up with. I really struggled with the jig, and getting things to line up properly.
Not certain 1/48 adds a lot for this simple airframe apart from the engine display. However, it looks at least more successful than the recent Vampire. Must be fun to model something you have flown in.
Really like your presentation and construction, though I would suggest 'engine rear bulkheads' = 'firewall', 'propellor axle' = 'propellor shaft'. BTW, subbed.
Thanks for the feedback Kitbag - I will take your comments on board. Sadly I can't use the prop one for a while as the next two are jets, but I will endeavour to be more technically correct!
Me too. WG308 out of RAF Linton-on-Ouse back in the '80s. First flight and the magneto started playing up. Fun times! I have a couple of the older 1/72nd scale Chipmunks. Might go for this one at some point. Last time I looked, WG308 is still out and about flying!
Not that I can remember, but I have heard others complain of this. And looking inside the kit I've got on my shelf, there is a noticeable downward bowing on both upper wing parts, even visible through the plastic bag. I suppose there would have to be a way to keep the lower wing straight while the upper wing bonds to it. Maybe taping the thing to a desk one half at a time, or weighing it down against a flat surface? I know that gentle heat will help but there's such a fine line between bendable and molten that it's not something I'd care to try. Maybe someone else here has had the problem and solved it? Or try one of the Airfix groups on Facebook as they can be very helpful. Let me know how it goes...
@@garys_stuff Cheers Gary thanks for reply ,did try warming it up but kind of made it worse, I'm thinking of glueing a thin but strong strip of metal inside the wings! Cheers
Let’s get the history behind the two rudders correct; th narrow-chord rudder was fitted to ALL Chipmunks during production, it was replaced by the broad- chord rudder commencing in 1953. The change had NOTHING to do with spinning!
Thanks for the helpful correction Rod. Out of curiosity, why was the broad chord rudder introduced? My thought would be to increase directional stability (could just make a bigger fin or push it rearward) or yaw authority. If the latter, this is presumably either to provide better reaction to engine torque, to improve general handling or to assist in spin recovery (full opposite rudder - pause - stick forward IIRC). What was the reason?
@@garys_stuff It was intended to improve rudder authority during aerobatics and crosswind landings & take-offs. Also to reduce rudder loads during a protracted climb. My kit has just arrived here ( in Australia) so I I’ll be referring often to your videos. Thanks!
@@rodblievers620 excellent stuff Rod, thanks for the info. It was a charming and exciting plane to be in when I was a space cadet back in the late 70s. Hope you have fun with the build, do please let me know how it goes.
According to a publication “History of No6 Air Experience Flight” by Flt Lt GJ Flack RAFVR(T) chapter 6 page 121 I quote, “The prototype flew on 22 May 1946 in the hands of Pat Fillingham, then chief production test pilot at Hatfield. Despite some early problems with spin-recovery which claimed the second prototype in Jan 1947 and which were overcome by the addition of spin strakes forward of the fin and a slightly enlarged rudder, the Chipmunk made a favourable impression in the right places.” If this is accurate then this would suggest that the enlarged rudder and spin strakes were fitted to improve spin recovery (though it may also have improved cross wind landing control etc). It would also suggest that this change to a larger rudder took place as a result of test flying and therefore prior to delivery to the RAF in 1949?
Great video. I’m halfway through this and was looking for a bit of guidance and was also puzzled about the extra canopy pieces . You have helped massively. I’ve subscribed as I’m sure your videos will be helpful in the future!! Thanks for the work you have done with this
Just about to build one of these, s this has been useful Takes me back to flying them in my Air Cadet days
Glad I could help, and enjoy the build. "You have control!"
I'm really glad Airfix have brought the Chipmunk out. Used to love seeing these fly around at RAF Coningsby. Great build so far!
Thanks! It has been a long time for the Chippie!
What a great kit Airfix has put out.
Nice one! I'm building the chippy for my old dad who used to fly them way back when... Gotta say I wasn't as happy as you seemed to be with the canopy set-up that Airfix came up with. I really struggled with the jig, and getting things to line up properly.
Not certain 1/48 adds a lot for this simple airframe apart from the engine display. However, it looks at least more successful than the recent Vampire. Must be fun to model something you have flown in.
Really enjoyed your build video so looking forward to the next episode.
Really like your presentation and construction, though I would suggest 'engine rear bulkheads' = 'firewall', 'propellor axle' = 'propellor shaft'. BTW, subbed.
Thanks for the feedback Kitbag - I will take your comments on board. Sadly I can't use the prop one for a while as the next two are jets, but I will endeavour to be more technically correct!
Need to get this flew them when i was in the Air Cadets
Have a look at Xtradecal sets coming soon, plenty of decals for AEF and UAS Chippies!
Me too. WG308 out of RAF Linton-on-Ouse back in the '80s. First flight and the magneto started playing up. Fun times! I have a couple of the older 1/72nd scale Chipmunks. Might go for this one at some point. Last time I looked, WG308 is still out and about flying!
Hi, building one of these at the moment, did you have a problem with the upper wing part's being bowed? cheers
Not that I can remember, but I have heard others complain of this. And looking inside the kit I've got on my shelf, there is a noticeable downward bowing on both upper wing parts, even visible through the plastic bag. I suppose there would have to be a way to keep the lower wing straight while the upper wing bonds to it. Maybe taping the thing to a desk one half at a time, or weighing it down against a flat surface? I know that gentle heat will help but there's such a fine line between bendable and molten that it's not something I'd care to try. Maybe someone else here has had the problem and solved it? Or try one of the Airfix groups on Facebook as they can be very helpful. Let me know how it goes...
@@garys_stuff Cheers Gary thanks for reply ,did try warming it up but kind of made it worse, I'm thinking of glueing a thin but strong strip of metal inside the wings! Cheers
Great progress :)
Let’s get the history behind the two rudders correct; th narrow-chord rudder was fitted to ALL Chipmunks during production, it was replaced by the broad- chord rudder commencing in 1953. The change had NOTHING to do with spinning!
Thanks for the helpful correction Rod. Out of curiosity, why was the broad chord rudder introduced? My thought would be to increase directional stability (could just make a bigger fin or push it rearward) or yaw authority. If the latter, this is presumably either to provide better reaction to engine torque, to improve general handling or to assist in spin recovery (full opposite rudder - pause - stick forward IIRC). What was the reason?
@@garys_stuff It was intended to improve rudder authority during aerobatics and crosswind landings & take-offs. Also to reduce rudder loads during a protracted climb. My kit has just arrived here ( in Australia) so I I’ll be referring often to your videos. Thanks!
@@rodblievers620 excellent stuff Rod, thanks for the info. It was a charming and exciting plane to be in when I was a space cadet back in the late 70s. Hope you have fun with the build, do please let me know how it goes.
According to a publication “History of No6 Air Experience Flight” by Flt Lt GJ Flack RAFVR(T) chapter 6 page 121 I quote,
“The prototype flew on 22 May 1946 in the hands of Pat Fillingham, then chief production test pilot at Hatfield. Despite some early problems with spin-recovery which claimed the second prototype in Jan 1947 and which were overcome by the addition of spin strakes forward of the fin and a slightly enlarged rudder, the Chipmunk made a favourable impression in the right places.”
If this is accurate then this would suggest that the enlarged rudder and spin strakes were fitted to improve spin recovery (though it may also have improved cross wind landing control etc). It would also suggest that this change to a larger rudder took place as a result of test flying and therefore prior to delivery to the RAF in 1949?
Sorry for the miss-spell that should have read Flt Lt Gj Clack RAFVR(T)