DeHavilland Chipmunk N48262

Since 1990, I have owned and flown a modified DeHavilland Chipmunk. Below are links to pictures of the airplane as well as a brief history of Chipmunks including N48262.

Pictures of N48262

Front View

Left Front View

Left Rear View

Left Side View

Right Rear View

View of the Rear Cockpit

View of the Front Cockpit

History of the de Havilland Chipmunk & N48262

The DeHavilland Chipmunk was designed by DeHavilland's Canadian division in Toronto as its first exercise in original aircraft design. As such, it took on the designation DHC-1 DeHavilland, Canada, Design Model #1). The prototype was first flown on May 22, 1946 and Canadian production totaled 158 for civil use and 60 for the Royal Canadian Air Force as a Chipmunk T-30.

To meet Great Britain's air force needs for a new trainer, the Chipmunk entered production in England as the T-10. Original models were powered by a 145 hp. Gypsy Major engine, an inverted 4 cylinder. The range on 18 imperial gallon fuel tanks was 292 miles at124 mph.

There were subtle design differences between the models made in Canada and England, but the most distinctive is the canopy. Canadian models have a full bubble canopy while English Chipmunks have a "green house" canopy.

DHC-l Chipmunk N48262 is one of 1,000 Chipmunks produced by DeHavilland in Hatfield, Hertfordshire, England. It carries construction number 622 and left the assembly line in 1951 going immediately to work as an RAF trainer in England. In 1961 it was completely rebuilt by the DeHavilland factory and, along with dozens of other Chipmunks, was sent to Ghana, Africa where it served in Britain's Colonial Air Force under the designation G-156. It was decommissioned as a trainer on July 7, 1971 and was sold in a lot with several other Chipmunks to an American.

It was held in storage until 1977 when it was rebuilt and registered in the United States as N48262. At that time it also underwent several modifications including replacement of the Gypsy Major engine with a 200 hp. Fairchild Ranger inverted 6-cylinder in-line engine. Other modifications included a Univair Aeromatic propeller and a larger aerobatic type rudder.

In 1981, the prior owners added other modifications and restoration work such as wheel fairings, new paint and new canopy and windscreen Plexiglas.

While original stock Chipmunks were flown solo from the front seat, with the addition of the heavier Ranger engine single pilot operation is now from the rear seat.

Specifications: Chipmunk N48262 cruises at 135mph. @ 3,000' MSL & 2450 RPM.

Stall Speed: 54 mph. flaps up 49 mph. flaps down.

Never Exceed Speed: 199 mph. Gross Weight: 2,100 lb.

Flap Extension: 81 mph. Empty Weight: 1,539 lb.

The Ranger 200 engine is an inverted in-line 6 cylinder. Oil capacity is 16 quarts, which is held in a separate sump aft of the firewall seat where air scoops and the oil cooler are located.

Of the 1,217 Chipmunks built in Canada and England, less than 500 are still flying or are in restorable to flying condition. No other aircraft has served so widely across the world as military trainers as have Chipmunks.

At one time or another DHC-1s were used in the air forces of 23 separate nations.