A 'Scurry of Chipmunks' at Holbeach St John airfield
Under a cloudy sky, Fenland Aero Club hosted a ‘Scurry of Chipmunks’ fly-in at its Holbeach St John airfield over the May Bank Holiday weekend.
Between Friday and Monday, a total of 70 aircraft visited, with the clubhouse and newly extended viewing enclosure open to all.
Two classic ex-RAF, De Havilland DHC-1 Chipmunk T10 trainer aeroplanes, ‘WG 321’ (G-DHCC) and G-APLO, arrived at the airfield on Friday, having both flown over from Holland especially for the event.
Six more Chipmunks arrived over the rest of the weekend and among these was the eye-catching all-red WP903 (G-BCGC). This is the aircraft in which HRH Prince Charles was taught to fly and in which he flew his first solo from RAF Bassingbourn (Cambs) on January 14, 1969. It is now privately-owned by a member of the RAF Henlow Flying Club, but is still maintained in the all-red colour of the Royal Flight when used by Prince Charles.
On Monday, there was a special treat when four of the Chipmunks took off and made passes over the viewing enclosure in a variety of formations, before peeling off to land.
