<p>c/n C1/0809.
Built 1952.
Operated with various Air Experience Flights until retired in January 1996.
One of two Chipmunks chosen to take part in an RAF expeditionary flight named ‘Operation Northern Circle’ to establish a route between North America and Europe via Russia.
For this it was given an electric starter, the latest GPS equipment and additional fuel capacity giving a 500mile range. An initial attempt was in July and August 1996, but forest fires in Siberia forced the flight to turn back.
In May 1997, another attempt was made, this being named ‘Operation Northern Venture’. This flight successfully circumnavigated the Northern Hemisphere in a journey lasting 64 days and covering 16,259 miles, visiting 62 airfields.
On return the aircraft were shown at various events, and then went in to store at RAF Newton.
In May 2000 ‘WP962’ went on display at Hendon, where it remains today in the Historic Main Hangars,
RAF Museum, Hendon, London, UK.
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22-3-2015
<a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.flickr.com/people/65001151@N03">Alan Wilson</a> from Stilton, Peterborough, Cambs, UK
<a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/ajw1970/17358154046/">DHC1 Chipmunk T10 ‘WP962’</a>