Today we celebrate the 80th anniversary of the DHC-1 Chipmunk, a legacy DHC aircraft that holds extra special meaning as many of us saw it in person for the very first time as it delivered our special guest at last week’s groundbreaking event!
The De Havilland Canada DHC-1 Chipmunk is a two-seat, single-engine aircraft widely used as a primary trainer worldwide. First flown on May 22, 1946, it was designed as a modern replacement for the Tiger Moth, with stable, forgiving handling ideal for training.
Designed in Canada, and built from the late 1940s to 1950s, total production reached 1,284 aircraft, including 217 constructed at Downsview, Toronto. The Chipmunk served as an RCAF trainer until 1972 and remains active in civilian aviation today.
The reason aircraft like the Chipmunk are still flying 80 years after its creation, is a testament to the amazing people we have here at De Havilland. To thank you, we will be giving every employee a special edition DHC-1 Chipmunk trading card to celebrate this milestone and acknowledge your contribution to this legacy!
Fun fact! The Chipmunk that DHC owns once belonged to retired De Havilland Canada test pilot George Neal, who after landing his Chipmunk at the Toronto Airport in 2015, set a world record being the oldest active, licensed pilot at the age of 96 years and 194 days!
Team: News