Flying chipmunk

To keep to the weekend's theme here's a couple of the more unusual sights in the sky from today.

This first one had me googling for an identification. It turns out it's a Chipmunk, the basic training aircraft of the Royal Air Force in the post WW2 years. The last was built in 1956. This one is now privately owned, and apparently based in Shoreham. I should have known what it was as this is the only model of aircraft I've actually flown (as in 'take the controls'). It was part of a school cadet training exercise and I spent the whole time worrying whether I could remember the instructions for opening the parachute they'd strapped on to me. I 'flew' for about two minutes before handing back the controls.

DHC1 Chipmunk WP928

This next one also had me searching, not so much for an identification but to try and pin down what these things are actually called. Somehow, 'motorized hang glider' didn't seem quite right. Turns out that it's a 'paraglider' which makes a lot more sense. There's not a chance you'd find me doing this.

Paraglider over Sussex Downs

Camera note: both shots taken with the EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM IS lens.

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This Post Has 5 Comments

  1. Flying Red Fox Blog

    22 Oct 2007

    Cool pics:D I saw a Paraglider while on the train home from Gatwick yesterday.

    Go on Words have a little more fun by going in one;) How about if i tempted you? lol:P

  2. cakkleberrylane

    23 Oct 2007

    My dad got me interested in WW2 planes, he was in the Canadian Air Force, but was not able to fly due to poor eyesight. I just found an interesting DVD that I ordered and set to him, called, "The Bomber Boys". Very interesting. It was about several young men who were grandsons of men in the RAF. They took the same training as their grandfathers did, some pilots, some in other areas of training. I'd highly recommend it to anyone who has an interest in WW2 RAF.

  3. Words

    23 Oct 2007

    Lois,

    Thanks for the pointer. The Chipmunk was widely used by the Candians as well apparently.

  4. Mickeyjoe-Irl

    29 Oct 2007

    On the plus side you wouldn't have to worry about how to open the parachute with that paraglider.

  5. Words

    29 Oct 2007

    Good point Mickeyjoe. But I'll still pass! Have you seen how many strings it's got. I'd be bound to get in a tangle :yikes:

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