This Airfix 1:48 plastic kit models the Canadian-designed de Havilland Chipmunk T.10 which is one of the most recognisable Royal Air Force aircraft from the post-war era.

The first Chipmunk aircraft were introduced in the early 1950s and it is estimated that over 300 aircraft are still in airworthy condition today worldwide.

The de Havilland Tiger Moth biplane had proved to be an important pilot training aircraft during the Second World War and the manufacturer was a natural choice to be involved when the Royal Canadian Air Force and Royal Air Force were looking to upgrade their primary pilot training capabilities.

Following the end of the Second World War, the company began design work on a new aircraft, one intended as a replacement for the ageing Tiger Moths still in RCAF service. A tandem two seat monoplane, the new trainer incorporated many advances over its predecessor, but shared many of its design philosophies, in that it was intended to be both simple to maintain and relatively forgiving to fly. Having the distinction of being the first aircraft type designed and built by de Havilland Canada, the first Chipmunk took to the skies in May 1946 and almost immediately gained interest from the military.

By April 1948, the Royal Canadian Air Force had taken delivery of their first Chipmunk, but they were not the only ones admiring the qualities of this extremely capable aeroplane. The vast majority of the 1,283 de Havilland Chipmunks built would be manufactured under licence in the UK, in factories at Hatfield and Chester, with around 735 of these going on to see service with the Royal Air Force, again as the direct replacement for the venerable old Tiger Moth.

In RAF service, the British built machines were known as the de Havilland Chipmunk Mk.10 and they would go on to provide basic flight training support many thousands of future military aviators, in addition to providing air experience opportunities for many more as part of the University Air Squadron organisation.

The Airfix 1:48 scale kit was introduced in 2021 and features 84 injection moulded plastic parts as well as decals for four schemes in the box. Full instructions are also provided. The schemes offered in this boxing are:

• A04105 A - de Havilland Chipmunk T.10 WB585 (G-AOSY) in the colours of No.2 Flying training school, restored by vintage fabrics, Audley End Airfield, Saffron Walden, Essex England 2020
• A04105 B - de Havilland Chipmunk T.10 WB549 first british Chipmunk, displayed at Farnborough, Hampshire, England 1949
• A04105 - de Havilland Chipmunk T.10 Royal Navy historic flight, Royal Naval Air station Yeovilton, Yeovilton, somerset, England 2009 (C)
• A04105 - de Havilland Chipmunk T.10 Army Air corps, Army Aviation Centre middle wallop, Hampshire, England June 1968 (D)

A full build of this kit features in AMW126 May 2021 as well as online at Key Model World.

To complete the kit customers will need a craft knife, cutting mat, sanding boards, tweezers, glue and paint to assemble the model.