The Way We Were ::: 1946 ::: CANADA

Yep, that’s a CHIPMUNK, created right here, in TORONTO, in 1946.

The MAIDEN FLIGHT of the DHC-1 Chipmunk, "the first indigenous design of the de Havilland Aircraft of Canada Ltd*", occurred on May 22, 1946 from the runway directly in front of this example, at RCAF Station Downsview, now, Bombardier Aerospace Toronto.

It surely became Prince Philip’s first love. He took his VERY FIRST flying lesson in one in 1952. However, the British Chipmunks lacked the "cool" teardrop canopy the Canadian version had, opting for a multi-paneled canopy instead.

Suprisingly, only 217 would be built in Canada.

The Chipmunk design was mass licensed for British production and Great Britain built almost a 1000 “Chippies”! SIXTY-SIX were also licence-manufactured in Portugal by OGMA (Oficinas Gerais de Material Aeronáutico, at Alverca).

A total of 1230 Chipmunks were built worldwide.

Approximately 130 still fly today, but now in civilian hands, which is a strong testimony to the aircraft’s continuing popularity.

© * Wikipedia