CWHM Fly-In Marked
80th Anniversary of the Chipmunk

Story and photos by Gord McNulty
October 2026
Eleven DHC-1 Chipmunks attracted fans at the 80th anniversary fly-in, CWHM, 29 August 2026
An impressive fly-in to mark the 80th anniversary of the Canadian-designed-and-built de Havilland Canada DHC-1 Chipmunk trainer was held at the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum (CWHM) on 29 August 2026.
DHC-1 Chipmunk CF-OAV from Saskatchewan at CWHM for 80th anniversary of the Chipmunk.
Pilots from Canada and the U.S. arrived in 10 Chipmunks to join the event with the CWHM Chipmunk, donated in 1973 by John Weir, one of the museum’s founders. Everyone enjoyed the remarkable gathering of 11 colourful examples of the famous trainer on the ramp, the opportunity to see the aircraft up close, and plenty of lively conversation.
The Chipmunk pilots and crew at the 80th anniversary fly-in at the CWHM.
The ‘Chippies’ on the ramp ranged from beautifully polished examples like CF-OAV from Saskatchewan to a British-built aircraft in striking Royal Air Force display paint that circumnavigated the Northern Hemisphere in 1997. 

It was fitting recognition for the Chipmunk, first flown on 22 May 1946, by British test pilot Pat Fillingham at Downsview. The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) accepted its first Chipmunks in 1952, and the fully aerobatic primary trainer continued in Canadian service until the end of 1971.
The 'around the world' 25th anniversary logo for the 1997 circumnavigation of the Northern Hemisphere.
A total of 217 Chipmunks were built in Canada; 1,000 in the U.K., and 66 under license in Portugal. Many of these attractive and popular aircraft are still flown today. Pilots appreciate the Chipmunk’s delightful flying characteristics, rugged airframe, and reliable engine.

An outstanding variety of warbirds added to the excitement. They included a rare Westland Lysander, now operated by Lysander Historical Aviation and previously with Vintage Wings of Canada. Dave Hadfield, brother of astronaut Chris Hadfield, piloted the Lysander, based at Collingwood, ON.
Westland Lysander C-FVZZ is the only flying Lysander in North America.
A Supermarine Spitfire Mk. XVIII and a TF-51D Mustang came from the Timmermans Legends of Flight in Chatham. The Great War Flying Museum arrived with their Sopwith 1½ Strutter and Fokker Dr.1, and the Waterloo Warbirds brought their T-33 in ‘Mako Shark’ colours. 

A beautifully restored Fairchild Fleet Cornell, CF-CVE, which won an award at EAA AirVenture at Oshkosh in 2015, made an impression as well as four T-28 Trojans that flew in on what was a memorable day.
Fairchild Fleet Cornell CF-CVE departs the Chipmunk 80th anniversary fly-in.