Lycoming Chipmunks
De Havilland Canada
The very first Lycoming Chipmunk was CF-DJS-X which was an early prototype fitted with a 6-cylinder Lycoming at the De Havilland Canada factory. The aircraft flew but never went into full production.
First UK Lycoming Chipmunk
Glos Air at Staverton Airport, between Gloucester and Cheltenham, completed the first Lycoming conversion of a UK Chipmunk in 1967. Using G-AOSU, which had an expired CofA in 1966, a major modification was applied for. The design work was completed by Personal Transportation Ltd and used a Lycoming O-360 A1A 180hp and a constant speed Hartzell propeller. However, the modification approval was cancelled in 1970 as it had not been completed and the aircraft moved to Lands End airport for storage in 1972.
RAF Gliding & Soaring Association Lycoming Conversion "Supermunk"
In January 1975 the RAFGSA, under the Chief Engineer Dick Stratton, purchased the aircraft from Glos Air. The first Permit to Fly was issued on 8 July 1975 with various extensions whilst flight testing took place. A full CofA was issued in March 1976. Shortly after G-AOUO was converted by Colton Aviation, which eventually joined the RAFGSA fleet in 1983. Over the years the O-360 A1A was replaced with the A4A version which had a more robust solid crankshaft, plus also a fixed pitch Sensenich propeller was also used. G-ATVF was the last Lycoming conversion by the RAFGSA and the bubble canopy replaced with a standard 2-seat Chipmunk canopy and the leading edge slats were removed.
Portuguese Lycoming Chipmunk Mk20
Portuguese Air Force (Força Aérea Portuguesa) operated Gypsy engined Chipmunks for many years at their Air Force Academy. In 1989 they began conversion of 7x Mk 20 Chipmunks for the same O-360 engines used by G-ATVF and the same engine layout. They are used for 60-hour elementary Pilot training courses and for glider towing.
Super Chipmunks
A number of Chipmunks were modified as aerobatic aircraft in the United States as the "Super Chipmunk". Along with an uprated Lycoming engine, the aircraft underwent an extensive makeover including clipping its wings, adding retractable landing gear, conversion to a single-seat layout, adding an autopilot and being fitted with a red, white and blue wingtip and tail smoke system. The control stick received a three-inch (76 mm) extension for greater control during extreme aerobatic maneuvers. For over 25 years the Super Chipmunk in its distinctive bright colour scheme of blue stars and sunburst effect was displayed by the aerobatic pilot Art Scholl.
