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109-536: The AEFs, numbered from 1 to 13, were formed across the United Kingdom in 1958, all but two forming on the same day, 8 September. All were equipped with the de Havilland Canada DHC-1 Chipmunk T.10 trainer. An exception was No. 5 AEF, which also operated a single Beagle Husky ( XW635 ) from 1969 to 1989. In the mid-1990s they were merged with co-located University Air Squadrons (UASs), the Chipmunks being replaced by

218-553: A test pilot who had been seconded from the parent de Havilland company. The prototype was powered by a 145 hp (108 kW) de Havilland Gipsy Major IC air-cooled inverted engine, this was replaced on the production version of the Chipmunk by a 145 hp (108 kW) de Havilland Gipsy Major 8 engine. de Havilland Canada constructed the type at its factory in Downsview, Toronto , Ontario , where it produced 217 Chipmunks during

327-726: A fighter flight. The growing of the Lisbon suburban area limited the use of the Amadora airfield, ending with it being deactivated and the GAI disbanded. After the inauguration of Ota, Alverca ceased to be an operational air base, becoming a logistical air field dependent from the Aviation Materiel Storage, supporting this body and also the OGMA. From 1940, the air bases became numbered as they are still today, with Sintra, Ota and Tancos, becoming respectively

436-409: A graduate in one of the aeronautics courses, who would assume the role of the aeronautics commandant general in the headquarters of the field army. The tactical aviation unit continued be the flight ( esquadrilha ), each including seven pilots and respective aircraft, headed by a captain. Several flights could be grouped to form groups of aviation flights, each headed by a senior officer. The troops of

545-512: A great part of the available Army forces and most of the AM combat aircraft, including all its fighters. In June 1941, two expeditionary fighter flights – each with 15 Gloster Gladiators – were organised and deployed, as well as five Ju 52 bombers. One of the fighter flights and the bombers became based at Santana airfield ( Rabo de Peixe ), São Miguel Island and the other fighter flight became based at Achada airfield, Terceira Island (soon transferred to

654-793: A handful of airplanes. In 1912, the Portuguese Government received its first airplane, a Deperdussin B , offered by the Portuguese-born Colonel Albino Costa of the Brazilian Army . The Government further received a Maurice Farman MF4 offered by the O Comércio do Porto newspaper and an Avro 500 offered by the Portuguese Republican Party . These aircraft would be integrated in the Aerostation Company, but remained for years without use because of

763-689: A naval air station being installed at Taipa Island . This air force was deactivated in 1932, but it would be reactivated in 1937 due to the Civil War and the Japanese invasion of China. The naval aviation and the only ever existing Portuguese aircraft carrier had an important role in subduing the Army officers' rebellion against the government of the National Dictatorship , which occurred in April 1931. Operating from

872-651: A possible invasion of the strategic Azores Islands, which were coveted both by the Axis and by the Allies , with both having plans to invade them. Adolf Hitler wanted to use the Azores as the base for the Amerika Bomber , with their seizure being included in the German planned operations Felix , Ilona and Isabella . The Allies wanted to use the Azores as an air and naval base to control

981-426: A primary trainer aircraft. The basic configuration of the aircraft included a low-mounted wing and a two-place tandem cockpit, which was fitted with a clear perspex canopy covers the pilot /student (front) and instructor/passenger (rear) positions and provided all-round visibility. The Chipmunk uses a conventional tailwheel landing gear arrangement and is fitted with fabric -covered flight control surfaces ;

1090-535: A rear-sliding canopy, and various aerodynamic features to manage the aircraft's flight performance. Strakes were fitted to deter spin conditions and stall breaker strips along the inboard leading edges of the wing ensured that a stall would originate in this position as opposed to the outboard section. The Chipmunk would become the first indigenous aircraft design to be produced by de Havilland Canada. The Chipmunk prototype, CF-DIO-X , first flew on 22 May 1946 at Downsview, Toronto , piloted by Pat Fillingham ,

1199-737: A small flight of Farman F.40 airplanes, this being one of the earliest employments of military aircraft in Africa. In 1918, a flight of Caudron G.4 was also deployed to Angola to support the Portuguese forces engaged in the South-West Africa campaign , but arrived after the end of the conflict. This flight however gave origin to a permanent air unit based in Angola. The Portuguese Navy started to have its own aviation service on 28 September 1917, although by that time it already had flying activities performed by

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1308-476: A trainer until the early 1970s, the last example being retired from service by the Canadian Armed Forces in 1972, three years after unification of the Canadian Armed Forces . The Chipmunk's long service was due, in part, to its fully aerobatic capabilities and superb flying characteristics, which had contributed towards pilots frequently referring to it as being "a delight to fly". On 2 June 2015, with

1417-627: A two-letter code that was painted on the fuselages. By the end of World War II, the AM included the BA1, Sintra as a training unit, the BA2, Ota with fighter flights MR (Spitfire), RL (Spitfire), XZ (Spitfire) and OK (Airacobra) and with bomber flight ZE (Blenheim), the BA3, Tancos with Information and Reconnaissance Group ( Westland Lysander ) and Fighter Flight GL (Hurricane), BA4, Rabo de Peixe, with expeditionary fighter flights No 1 (Gloster Gladiator) and No 2 (Mohawk) and with

1526-403: A variety of purposes, often involving the type's excellent flying characteristics and its capability for aerobatic manoeuvres . More than 70 years after the type having first entered service, hundreds of Chipmunks remain airworthy and are in operation around the world. The Portuguese Air Force still operates six Chipmunks, which serve with Esquadra 802, as of 2018. The aircraft is named after

1635-548: Is a tandem, two-seat, single-engined primary trainer aircraft designed and developed by Canadian aircraft manufacturer de Havilland Canada . It was developed shortly after the Second World War and sold in large numbers during the immediate post-war years, being typically employed as a replacement for the de Havilland Tiger Moth biplane . The Chipmunk was the first postwar aviation project conducted by de Havilland Canada. It performed its maiden flight on 22 May 1946 and

1744-508: Is also a mechanically sound aircraft and, consequently, many ex-RCAF Chipmunks have since remained operational for decades with private owners and operators around the world. By 2001, several hundred Chipmunks were reportedly operational in private service. Modifications or conversions by Bristol Aircraft Ltd into a touring aircraft to design by Peter Masefield . Modifications could be made on Chipmunk Mk 20, Mk 21, Mk 22 and 22A aircraft. The Chipmunks could be fitted with luggage compartments in

1853-669: Is now a separate body, but continues to be headed by the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, with the Air Force assuring most of its activities, namely the air policing service. Its aerobatic display teams have been the Asas de Portugal for jet aircraft and the Rotores de Portugal for helicopter, being both however currently inactive since 2010. The remote origins of the Portuguese Air Force lie in

1962-501: Is the aerial warfare force of Portugal . Locally it is referred to by the acronym FAP but internationally is often referred to by the acronym PRTAF . It is the youngest of the three branches of the Portuguese Armed Forces . The Portuguese Air Force was formed on 1 July 1952, when the former Aeronáutica Militar (Army Aviation) and Aviação Naval (Naval Aviation) were united and formed an independent air branch of

2071-633: The Air Force Academy (AFA) to be used for glider towing. In 1997 a major reform was made to the FAP's training syllabus which led to the need for cost savings. This resulted in the 7 AFA Chipmunks being used by the FAP for an initial screen testing programme for potential pilots – the Estágio de Seleção de Voo (ESV). The 7 Chipmunks (serials – 1306, 1312, 1315, 1316, 1319, 1335, 1339) were first upgraded before being put into use. These upgrades consisted of replacing

2180-653: The Berlin area. A number of Chipmunk T.10s were also used by the Army Air Corps and Fleet Air Arm to conduct primary training. Notably, Prince Philip had his first flying lesson in a Chipmunk in 1952; he declared the type to be his favourite aircraft. Until 1996, Chipmunks remained in service with Air Training Corps (ATC) and the RAF Sections of the Combined Cadet Force (CCF) for Air Experience Flights (AEFs);

2289-465: The Portuguese Air Force . Both British-built and early Canadian-built Chipmunks are notably different from the later Canadian-built RCAF/Lebanese versions. The later Canadian-built aircraft were fitted with a bubble canopy , which replaced the multi-panelled sliding canopy that had been used upon early Canadian-produced Chipmunks, along with all of the Portuguese and British-built aircraft. On

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2398-514: The War Minister . The aeronautical troops would include aviation and aerostatics units, including the already existing Aerostatics Company and the newly created Composite Aviation Depot Flight (EMAD). The EMAD was responsible to train pilots and observers and to prepare the creation of future air units, being initially installed at Alverca and then transferred to Tancos , where an airfield was built to serve as its base. The PMA, installed at Alverca,

2507-517: The baptism by fire of the Portuguese military aviation. Serving in French squadron SPA 65 , in November 1917, Captain Óscar Monteiro Torres became the first Portuguese pilot to be killed in an air combat when his SPAD S.VII was shot down after himself having shot down two German planes. In Mozambique , in the operations against German Eastern Africa , from September 1917, the Portuguese forces included

2616-509: The chipmunk , a small rodent . Immediately following the conclusion of the Second World War , there was a desire within Canadian aviation circles to take advantage during the peace years of the recently expanded aircraft manufacturing industry which had been rapidly built up in Canada. Out of this desire, it was decided to embark on developing aircraft which would replace designs rendered obsolete by

2725-604: The de Havilland Chipmunk T.10 ; these aircraft had been manufactured in the United Kingdom by de Havilland , the parent company of de Havilland Canada . The Chipmunk T.10 initially served with Reserve Flying Squadrons (RFS) of the RAF Volunteer Reserve (VR), as well as the University Air Squadrons . During 1958, multiple Chipmunks were pressed into service in Cyprus for conducting internal security flights during

2834-553: The 180 hp (130 kW) Lycoming O-360 . The Royal Air Force (RAF) had been one of the operators to quickly take notice of the new Canadian trainer, and encouraged its formal evaluation with an eye towards procuring it. Accordingly, a total of three Chipmunk aircraft were transported to the United Kingdom, where they underwent an evaluation by the Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment (A&AEE) at RAF Boscombe Down , Wiltshire . Based upon this favourable evaluation,

2943-591: The 1940s and 1950s, the final example of which having been completed during 1956. In addition, 1,000 Chipmunks were produced under licence in the United Kingdom by de Havilland; manufacturing was initially performed at the company's facility at Hatfield Aerodrome , Hertfordshire ; production was later transferred to their factory at Hawarden Aerodrome , Broughton near Chester . A further 66 Chipmunks were licence-manufactured in Portugal by OGMA ( Oficinas Gerais de Material Aeronáutico ), at Alverca from 1955 to 1961 for

3052-400: The AM performed air visits to the colonies, projecting a significant air force to Angola and to Mozambique to mark the Portuguese military presence in Africa. Taking off from the Amadora airfield, this air visit included a Junkers W 34 transport aircraft and eight Vickers Valparaiso light bombers , with 12 pilots and seven aircraft mechanics, commanded by colonel aviator Cifka Duarte. In

3161-885: The Aerostatics Company (usually attached to the artillery arm), the Practical School of the arm, the Aviation Materiel Storage, the Aerostatics Materiel Storage (attached to the Aerostatics Company) and a personnel mobilisation depot (attached to the Command General). The creation of the Command General of the Aeronautics - headed by an AM brigadier or general who reported directly to the Minister of War -

3270-519: The Air Club of Portugal (AeCP) on 11 December 1909, by 30 aviation enthusiasts, the majority of them being Army officers. The AeCP became one of the major boosters of the development of aviation in Portugal in the early 20th century, including its military use. The AeCP sponsored Abeillard Gomes da Silva in the design and building of the first Portuguese airplane , financed by the War Ministry and tested at

3379-569: The Angola Group of Aviation Flights (GEAA), which existed until being disbanded in 1924. On 7 February 1919, the Group of Aviation Flights "República" (GEAR) was created. This was the first permanent operational aviation unit in the Portuguese Mainland, including a combat flight – equipped with SPAD S.VII fighters – and a bombardment and observation flight – equipped with Breguet 14 bombers. It

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3488-626: The Armed Forces. However, the remote origins of the FAP go back to the early 20th century with the establishment of the first military air unit in 1911, the Military Aeronautics School in 1914, the participation of Portuguese pilots in World War I, the establishment of the Army, and the Navy aviation services. The FAP is commanded by the Chief of Staff of the Air Force (CEMFA), a subordinate of

3597-619: The Army School of Engineering, Tancos on 13 January 1910. Despite the previous use of balloons by the Portuguese Army, its first flying unit was only created in 1911, in the scope of the military reorganisation that occurred that year. This unit was the Aerostation Company ( Companhia de Aerosteiros ), which was part of the Army Telegraphic Service and was intended to operate observation aerostats. This unit would later receive

3706-489: The Army Telegraphic Service. Finally, the Parliament issued Law 162 of 14 May 1914, which created the Military Aeronautics School (EMA, Escola Militar de Aeronáutica ), including aviation and aerostation services. The EMA would include a Staff, aeronautical troops (including the Aerostation Company and a Navy Section), and technical and support staff. The Law foresaw the existence of a Military Aeronautical Service from which

3815-451: The BA1, Sintra. Portugal joined NATO in 1949 as one of its founders. With this joining, the AM increasingly came under the influence of the US air forces, adopting many of its standards. Since its early beginnings, the AM constantly evolved towards an increasing autonomy, with an implicit aim to become an independent branch of service. Important milestones in that journey had been the granting of

3924-612: The British Air Ministry proceeded to formulate and release Air Ministry specification T.8/48 around the type as a replacement for the de Havilland Tiger Moth biplane then in use. This specification was also contested by the rival Fairey Primer , which lost out to the Chipmunk and ultimately did not enter production. The fully aerobatic Chipmunk was ordered to serve as an ab initio trainer for new pilots. The RAF received 735 Chipmunks, which were designated in British service as

4033-649: The British Royal Air Force in the elimination of the German submarine threat in the North Atlantic and then in its use by the United States Army Air Force (USAAF) in the air connection between the US and Europe and North Africa, enabling it to reduce the time of flight and largely increase the number of logistic flights that were able to supply the troops fighting the Axis. Already after the war, by

4142-491: The Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces for operational matters and a direct subordinate of the Minister of National Defense for all other matters. The CEMFA is the only officer in the Air Force with the rank of general ( four-star rank ). Presently, the FAP is an entirely professional force made of career personnel ( officers and NCOs ) and of volunteer personnel (officers, NCOs, and enlisted ranks ). As of 2015,

4251-469: The Chipmunks being a 40-year-old design and with the annual attrition rate of the fleet being two aircraft, in October 1987 a decision was made by the FAP to replace the Chipmunks with 18 Aérospatiale TB 30 Epsilons . Epsilon deliveries was made throughout 1989, with all remaining Chipmunks being withdrawn from service by the time the last Epsilon was delivered. Shortly afterwards 7 Chipmunks were handed over to

4360-599: The EMA would be dependent. However, while the Aeronautical Service was still not organized, the EMA would be under the inspection of the chairman of the Military Aeronautics Commission. After the formal creation of the EMA, the next steps were to implement it. One of the first steps was to train aviators to serve as the future instructors, with 11 officers being selected for that (nine from the Army and two from

4469-560: The FAP employed a total of 5,957 military personnel, of which 1,677 were officers, 2,511 were NCOs, and 1,769 were other enlisted ranks. Additionally, the Air Force further included 842 civilian employees. Besides its warfare role, the FAP has also public service roles, namely assuring the Portuguese Air Search and Rescue Service. Until 2014, the FAP also integrated the National Aeronautical Authority (AAN). The AAN

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4578-624: The French naval aviation), at Horta, Azores , at Ponta Delgada , Azores (operated by the United States Navy) and at Culatra Island , Algarve (never fully activated). By the Decree 3743 of 5 January 1918, the Navy's Aviation Service became the Naval Aeronautics Services ( Serviços de Aeronáutica Naval ). On 23 August 1918, a Tellier T.3 flying boat of the naval aviation - that was chasing an enemy submarine spotted from Roca Cape -

4687-647: The Gipsy Major engines with the more powerful Lycoming O-360 , adding a metal propeller, a new radio and an IFF transponder. Five of these aircraft were upgraded by OGMA at Alverca do Ribatejo , while the other two were converted by Indústrias Aeronáuticas de Coimbra (IAC). The first two upgraded Chipmunks were delivered to Esquadra 802 in July 1997 and began their screening programme the next month on 18 August. On 17 March 1998 an upgraded Chipmunk (serial – 1312) crashed on take-off at Sintra causing it to be written off, neither of

4796-691: The Independent Group of Protection and Combat Aviation (GIAPC) in 1927. In 1927, the GEAR was disbanded and gave origin to two separate units, the Information Aviation Group (GAI) and the Independent Bombardment Aviation Group (GIAB), this being transferred to Alverca. By the Decree 11279 of 26 April 1926, the Military Aeronautics School was again divided into separate aviation and aerostation schools. With this reorganization,

4905-446: The Ju 52 flight (used mainly in the air transport between Azores islands), BA5, Lajes with Expeditionary Fighter Flight No 2 (Gloster Gladiator), Lisbon Field with Fighter Flight VX (Hurricane) and Transport Aircraft Section ( Consolidated B-24 Liberator , Lockheed Hudson and Douglas C-47 ) and Espinho airfield with Fighter Flight RV (Hurricane). The Lajes Air Base largely contributed to the Allied victory in Europe, first in its use by

5014-459: The Military Aeronautics School was created in 1914 – was organised. It included the Directorate of Military Aeronautics, the Military Aeronautics Technical Commission, the Military School of Aviation, the Military School of Aerostatics, the aeronautical troops and the Aeronautical Materiel Park (PMA) . The Directorate of Military Aeronautics was headed by a senior officer (pilot aviator, aerostat pilot or aeronautical engineer), who directly reported to

5123-402: The Military Aviation School started to include training programs for non-officer military pilots and for civil pilots. It thus became the first civil aviation school in Portugal. In 1925, Carlos Bleck would graduate from this school, becoming the first civil pilot to receive its brevet in Portugal. In 1928, Maria de Lourdes Sá Teixeira would also graduate in the Military Aviation School, becoming

5232-453: The Military School of Aeronautics (EMA). The naval officers Artur de Sacadura Cabral and António Joaquim Caseiro were part of the group of the eleven first Portuguese military aviation pilots, with the first one becoming the first chief of the pilot instructors of the EMA. The EMA included a Navy Section, which received the first naval aircraft (two FBA Type B flying boats ) in January 1917. These aircraft started flying activities in March of

5341-444: The Mission, including some officer aviators, however ended by actively engaging in military operations. Besides these, other AM personnel volunteered as " Viriatos ", these being mainly NCOs aviators who served as officers in nationalist aviation units. By the Decree 29155 of 19 November 1938, the course of military aeronautics was created in the Army School (military academy). Until then, the future officer aviators had to graduate in

5450-427: The Navy Section of the EMA. The Army's Military Aeronautical Service was also finally fully organized on 29 June 1918, in the scope of which the EMA was to be subdivided in separate aviation and aerostation schools and the first Portuguese aircraft factory was established. By the Decree 4529 of 29 June 1918, the Portuguese Army's Military Aeronautical Service ( Serviço Aeronáutico Militar ) – already foreseen when

5559-419: The Navy) and sent to several U.S., French, and British aviation schools, where they were certified as aircraft pilots. Another important step was the building of the facilities for the EMA. The study of the Military Aeronautics Commission pointed to Alverca as the best option to install the school, with Vila Nova da Rainha (a village of the Azambuja Municipality ) as the second best option. Both places satisfied

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5668-417: The No 1, No 2 and No 3 air bases. During the Spanish Civil War (1936–1939), a number of Portuguese pilots and airmen served in the Nationalist Aviation . During this conflict, the Portuguese Government sent a Military Observation Mission to Spain intended to merely observe the new tactics and new weapon systems that were being employed, including the use of aviation and antiaircraft defences. Some members of

5777-421: The North Atlantic in the scope of the Battle of the Atlantic , having plans to invade them if the Portuguese government refused to cede their use. This invasion was part of the planned British operations Alloy , Shrapnel , Brisk , Thruster , Springboard and Lifebelt and of the US Operation Grey. Faced with the imminent danger, the Portuguese authorities decided to reinforce the Azores garrison, sending there

5886-415: The Ordinance 12194 of 19 December 1947, the AM suffered its last major re-adjustment of its units still under the Army tutelage. As part of this, the BA4 (Santana Air Base) was disbanded, with its aeronautical facilities being transferred to the Ministry of Communications to become the civil airport of São Miguel Island . With this disbandment, Lajes was re-designated "No 4 Air Base (BA4)". By this time, Lajes

5995-431: The Portuguese aviation, but the USAAF. Besides its importance for the Allied victory in World War II, Lajes would continue to be strategically crucial for the US Military in future conflicts, especially in the Cold War , Berlin airlift , Yom Kippur War and Gulf War . In the scope of the re-organization of 1947, the Monte Real airfield (future Monte Real Air Base ) – at that time under construction – became dependent from

6104-662: The adoption of thinner wings and consequently provided for increased performance as well as a greater degree of durability. Numerous features were incorporated so that the type could better perform as a trainer, including hand-operated single-slotted wing flaps , anti-spin strakes, disc brakes on the wheeled undercarriage, a thin propeller composed of a solid lightweight alloy, the adoption of an engine-driven vacuum pump in place of external venturi tubes to power cockpit instrumentation, electric and Coffman cartridge engine starters as alternative options, cockpit lighting, onboard radio system, and an external identification light underneath

6213-428: The arm were defined at that time as being a fighter flight, a bombardment flight, an observation flight, a training and depot aviation flight and an observation aerostatics company. The aeronautics schools and courses would be the Military Aeronautics School (including an aerostatics section) and the mechanics and specialists courses functioning at the PMA. The Military Aeronautics School would only be activated in 1928, by

6322-408: The aviators, culminating in the uprising of the GEAR. The uprising was quelled by other military units, with the officer aviators being arrested. These incidents led to the temporary disbandment of the Military Aeronautical Service by the Decree 9801 of 15 July 1924. By the Decree 10094 of 19 September 1924, the Military Aeronautics (AM) was reorganised, becoming a full arm of service of the Army, with

6431-470: The co-located AEF and UAS units pool resources and share aircraft. Air Experience Flights provide basic flying experience, and aerobatics to eligible members of Royal Air Force Air Cadets (RAFAC), otherwise known as the Air Training Corps (ATC), along with the RAF section of the Combined Cadet Force (CCF-RAF), and other air-minded youth groups such as Air Scouts and the Girls Venture Corps Air Cadets (GVC-AC). When two separate AEFs are co-located at

6540-468: The cockpit sections of some former RAF Chipmunks have been used as ground training aids; these are colloquially known as "Chippax" trainers. In 1995 and 1996 the RAF planned for a pair of Chipmunks to circumnavigate the northern hemisphere to establish a route for light aircraft from Europe to North America via Russia . The RAF chose the Chipmunk because of its reliability and ability to operate with minimal ground support. Modifications were made before

6649-408: The command of the territorial Army commands of the area where they were based. By this new organisation the PMA was transformed in the OGMA . During this period, the Portuguese Military Aeronautics aviators entered in the History of Aviation by performing a number of pioneer flights . Among these were the first flight to Macau performed by Brito Pais, Sarmento Beires and Manuel Gouveia in 1924,

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6758-406: The course of one of the other arms and only then be transferred to the AM. Portugal was not directly involved in World War II , but had to defend its neutrality. The war caught the AM in the beginning of a modernisation plan that could not proceed due to the start of the conflict, meaning that it largely lacked modern aircraft. One of the major Portuguese military priorities became the deterrence of

6867-412: The court of King John V of Portugal . Accordingly, with some opinions, a real scale device would have performed a crewed flight over the city of Lisbon, taking off from the São Jorge Castle and landing at the Cotovia Hill . This may have been the first manned flight in history. In 1876, General Augusto Bon de Sousa proposed the use of aerostats as means of observation and communication. This proposal

6976-415: The creation of a Military Aviation Institute. Despite the non-approval of the bill, the War Ministry appointed an ad hoc commission, made up of officers of the Army and Navy (including some members of the AeCP), intended to study the basis for the creation of aviation, balloon and airship schools. By the Army Order of 12 February 1913, this became the permanent Military Aeronautics Commission, attached to

7085-405: The early-built canopy, the rearmost panels intentionally bulged in order to provide the instructor's position with superior visibility. British-built Chipmunks also differed by a number of adjustments to suit the expressed preferences of the RAF. These included the repositioning of the undercarriage legs, anti-spin strakes , landing lights, and an all-round stressed airframe. At one point, work

7194-424: The existing UAS Scottish Aviation Bulldog T.1s. No. 13 AEF at RAF Aldergrove was disbanded in 1996. In 1999, the Grob Tutor T.1 began to replace the Bulldog. On 10 March 2016, Julian Brazier , Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence), announced the return of 13 AEF and a new 14 AEF. The Royal Air Force (RAF) Air Experience Flights (AEF) are co-located with University Air Squadron (UAS) units;

7303-442: The final of these AEF flights to use the Chipmunk was No. 10 Air Experience Flight, RAF Woodvale , when they were replaced by the Scottish Aviation Bulldog . The last Chipmunks in military service are still operated by the British historic flights – the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (including one of the Gatow aircraft), the Royal Navy and Army historic flights, to keep their pilots current on tailwheel aircraft. In addition,

7412-443: The first Portuguese woman pilot. The new organization of the Portuguese Army of 2 August 1926, established by the Decree 12017, defined that the superior technical body of each arm became a directorate of the arm. So the Directorate of the Aeronautics Arm was established, being headed by a general. This Directorate continued to have only a mere technical authority over the AM units and other establishments, which continued to be under

7521-418: The first Portuguese military airplane flight, in the Deperdussin B that had been offered in 1912. EMA and its first course was opened in October of the same year, with naval lieutenant aviator Sacadura Cabral as the chief of the pilots and with Major aeronautical engineer Ribeiro de Almeida as the chief of mechanics. The first students started flying in November, with Army lieutenant Sarmento de Beires being

7630-451: The first night-time flight across the Atlantic performed by Sarmento de Beires, Jorge de Castilho and Manuel Gouveia in 1927, the first flight to Goa , Portuguese India performed by Moreira Cardoso and Sarmento Pimentel in 1930, the first flight to Portuguese Guinea and Angola, performed by Carlos Bleck and Humberto da Cruz in 1931 and the first flight to Portuguese Timor performed by Humberto da Cruz and António Lobato in 1934. In 1935,

7739-418: The first one. During World War I , an air unit was planned as part of the Portuguese Expeditionary Corps fighting on the Western Front , but its activation was cancelled due to the refusal from the British Government to provide the needed aircraft. With this cancellation, several of the Portuguese airmen who were to integrate that air unit, instead volunteered to fly in French aviation units, where they had

7848-523: The good relations of the Portuguese authorities with the Allies and the granting of air facilities at Lajes for the operation of anti-submarine aircraft. The AM then started to receive modern fighters including Bell P-39 Airacobra , Hawker Hurricane , Supermarine Spitfire and Bristol Blenheim bombers (which replaced the Junkers Ju 86). The fighter and bomber flights that were formed with them were identified by

7957-483: The height of civil unrest during the Cyprus dispute . Eight disassembled aircraft were flown out in the holds of Blackburn Beverley transports; following their reassembly, these Chipmunks, which were operated by No. 114 Squadron , were operated for some months into 1959. From 1956 to 1990, the Chipmunks of the RAF Gatow Station Flight were used to conduct covert reconnaissance missions by BRIXMIS over

8066-692: The initiative of Sacadura Cabral. In 1922, the Sacadura Cabral and Gago Coutinho entered the History of the World Aviation by performing the first aerial crossing of the South Atlantic . Due to the frequent piracy attacks to the local navigation and the civil conflicts affecting China, in 1927 the Portuguese Navy reinforced its station at Macau , including an air force of Fairey III floatplanes , with

8175-504: The journey, including expanding fuel capacity and updating navigation equipment. The Chipmunks were accompanied on the journey by a support aircraft. In 1996, the RAF started the journey, but had to stop in Moscow due to forest fires in central Siberia . The RAF successfully completed the journey in 1997, flying 16,259 miles over 64 days, visiting 62 airfields along the way. One of the two Chipmunks

8284-570: The landing of his Chipmunk at Pearson International Airport in Toronto , Ontario , Canada, retired de Havilland Canada test pilot George Neal established a new world record for the oldest active licensed pilot at the age of 96 years 194 days. The Portuguese Air Force (FAP) received its first DHC-1 Chipmunk Mk. 20 in 1951, being delivered to the Military Aeronautical School in Sintra . It

8393-468: The majority of the home-grown production were destined for the RCAF. However, Canadian-built Chipmunks were also delivered to some overseas customers, including Egypt , Lebanon and Thailand . Of the 113 Chipmunks that entered RCAF service, 79 were assigned to serve as ab initio trainers, while 34 were assigned to flying clubs for use in refresher training for RCAF Reserve pilots. The type remained in use as

8502-406: The much smaller naval aviation. This branch kept initially the designation of "Military Aeronautics", but from 28 December 1956 it became officially designated "Air Force". Besides the former Military Aeronautics, the former Portuguese Naval Aviation was the other ancestor of the present Portuguese Air Force. The aviation activities performed by the Portuguese Navy started with the establishment of

8611-623: The newly built Lajes airfield ). In October 1941, the AM received Curtiss 75 Mohawk fighters, with 12 forming a third expeditionary fighter flight to the Azores, being stationed at Rabo de Peixe. In 1942, the Rabo de Peixe and the Lajes airfields became, respectively, the No 4 and No 5 air bases. The sending of all the few available AM fighters to the Azores meant that Mainland Portugal remained without air defence. This issue would be gradually solved from 1943, thanks to

8720-589: The non-existence of pilots. Still in 1912, midshipman Miguel Freitas Homem of the naval purser branch applied for admission to any course that would qualify him as an aviator. He was the first member of the Portuguese Military to formally request to be an aircraft pilot. In the same year, by request of the AeCP, the legislator António José de Almeida presented a bill to the Portuguese Parliament for

8829-412: The occupants – an Angolan student and Portuguese instructor – were harmed. As of 2018, Esquadra 802 still operates the remaining 6 Chipmunks. From the 1950s, the Chipmunk also became a popular civilian aircraft, having been used for various roles, such as pilot training, aerobatics and crop spraying . The majority of civilian aircraft are ex-military that had been resold and frequently modernised. It

8938-447: The origins of the Portuguese military aeronautics. Portugal was directly linked with the history of aeronautics since its early beginnings. In 1709, the Portuguese priest Bartolomeu de Gusmão requested a patent for a device to move through the air, which consisted of a kind of hot air balloon . The patent was granted on 19 April 1709 and small scale models of this device were tested with success on several occasions, including before

9047-577: The pilots, each flight would also include around another 70 members, including mechanics, radio-telegraphists and service support personnel. The Sintra Air Base included the Practical School of Aeronautics, with a School Group mainly equipped with Avro 626 and de Havilland Tiger Moth . Later, Sintra Air Base would also include an independent assault aviation flight equipped with Breda Ba.65 ground-attack aircraft . The Ota Air Base - inaugurated in 1940 and until then temporarily installed in Alverca - succeeded to

9156-399: The rapid advances made during the war in the aviation field. One such company, de Havilland Aircraft of Canada Ltd , was interested in developing its own aircraft designs, and chose to focus on producing a contemporary aircraft for pilot training, specifically intending for the envisioned type to serve as a successor to the de Havilland Tiger Moth biplane trainer, which had been produced by

9265-421: The requests of being located in flat grounds (allowing the installation of airfield and hangars ), in the riverside (allowing the operation of seaplanes ) and near the railway (facilitating the communications). Due to budget restraints, the second option was chosen, with the construction of the EMA installations starting at Vila Nova da Rainha on 15 April 1915. On 17 July 1916, lieutenant Santos Leite performed

9374-503: The same airfield, such as No. 9 Air Experience Flight ( 9AEF) and No. 11 Air Experience Flight (11 AEF) at RAF Leeming , the two individual AEFs share the same fleet of aircraft. Just like the University Air Squadrons, all Air Experience Flights are currently commanded by No. 6 Flying Training School RAF (6 FTS). Previously operated: De Havilland Canada DHC-1 Chipmunk The de Havilland Canada DHC-1 Chipmunk

9483-629: The same status as the cavalry, artillery, engineering and infantry arms. The military aeronautics arm included the Inspectorate General of the Military Aeronautics, the AM Technical Commission, the aviation and aerostatics troops, the aeronautics schools and courses, the AM establishments and the AM services. The inspector general of the AM would preferably be a general or a colonel with all the conditions to be promoted to general,

9592-629: The same year. The Navy's Aviation Service ( Serviço de Aviação da Armada ) was created by the Decree 3395 of 28 September 1917, with the first naval air station being activated at the Bom Sucesso dock, near the Belém Tower in Lisbon. In the scope of World War I, the flying boats started the performance of anti-submarine patrols off Lisbon harbor. During the War, additional naval air stations were installed at São Jacinto peninsula , Aveiro (operated together with

9701-570: The scope of the civil conflict between Republicans and Monarchist , the naval aviation bombs and disables a section of the Porto-Lisbon railway near Espinho , in order to cut the supplies of the Monarchist forces that were advancing to the South. This was the first aerial bombing performed by the Portuguese military aviation. During the 1920s, the naval aviation took its share of pioneer flights, mainly by

9810-582: The scope of the readjustment of the Army units and size established by the Decree-Law 28401 of 31 December 1937, the Military Aeronautics underwent a major reorganisation. The AM would now include the Command General of the Aeronautics (with the Antiaircraft Land Defence Command attached to it), air bases, field bases, information aviation flights, fighter aviation flights, bombardment aviation flights (the flights could be independent or grouped),

9919-455: The starboard wing. In civilian service, individual aircraft would often be modified. Examples of these adaptations include extensive modifications that enabled it to perform competitive aerobatics, for which aircraft are often re-engined and fitted with constant speed propellers and inverted fuel systems; larger numbers of Chipmunks have been tasked as dedicated glider tows. It has become commonplace for Chipmunks to be re-engined, typically using

10028-419: The status of arm to the AM in 1924 and its operational autonomy regarding the rest of the Army achieved in 1937. By this time, there was a unanimous opinion that the conditions for the AM to completely separate from the Army and to become an independent branch of the Armed Forces had been obtained. Finally, on 1 July 1952, the AM was established as an independent branch, at the same time controversially integrating

10137-585: The then disbanded GIAB and came to include a night bombardment group with Junkers Ju 52 bombers, a day bombardment group with Junkers Ju 86 bombers and a fighter flight with Gloster Gladiator fighters. The Tancos Air Base succeeded to the GIAPC and was intended to be a fighter and observation aviation unit. The Lisbon Field Base was planned to function in the facilities of the Lisbon Airport - at that time under construction, being inaugurated in 1942 - and to station

10246-625: The thousands before and during the Second World War, and saw military service with a number of nations in that conflict. Wsiewołod Jakimiuk  [ pl ] , a Polish pre-war engineer, served as the principal designer and led the design team in the development of the new aircraft, which became known as the Chipmunk . He designed a cantilever monoplane that incorporated numerous advances over typical trainer aircraft then in widespread service. These included an enclosed cockpit complete with

10355-717: The transformation of the Military Aviation School and the disbandment of the Military Aerostatics School. The AM establishments were the PMA and the Aeronautical Material Storage. The AM included the meteorological, the communications and liaison and the photo-topographical services. In 1924, the fighters of the GEAR were transferred to the EMAD at Tancos, which became the No 1 Fighter Flight in 1926 and then

10464-675: The vast majority of Chipmunks, as well as by OGMA ( Oficinas Gerais de Material Aeronáutico ) in Portugal . The type was slowly phased out of service beginning in the late 1950s, although in the ab initio elementary training role, this did not happen in the Royal Air Force until 1996, when it was replaced by the Scottish Aviation Bulldog . Many Chipmunks that had been in military use were sold to civilians, either to private owners or to companies, where they were typically used for

10573-401: The wing is also fabric-covered aft of the spar . In terms of handling, the Chipmunk exhibited a gentle and responsive flight attitude. Early production aircraft were only semi- aerobatic , while later production models were almost all fully aerobatic. The structure of the Chipmunk makes heavy use of metal, the majority of the airframe being composed of a stress-skinned alloy ; this allowed

10682-719: The wings, a blown canopy, landing gear fairings and enlarged fuel tanks. In 1967–1968 a Chipmunk Mk 22A was converted, tested and flown by Hants and Sussex Aviation . The Chipmunk was fitted with an 86.42-kW (116-shp) Rover 90 turboprop engine. and extra fuel capacity. Today, the Chipmunk remains popular with specialized flying clubs and is also operated by private individuals located in many countries worldwide. Data from The de Havilland Canada Story and BAE Systems. General characteristics Performance Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era Related lists Portuguese Air Force The Portuguese Air Force ( Portuguese : Força Aérea Portuguesa )

10791-524: Was added to the collection at the RAF Museum . The other belongs to a private owner, who has restored the Chipmunk to its condition during the round-the-world flight and flies it to aviation events. In 1948 the RCAF accepted its first DHC-1 Chipmunk trainers, having received the first batch of a production run of 217 Chipmunks that would be manufactured in Canada. The Chipmunk was the first Canadian-designed aircraft to be made abroad under licence and as such,

10900-505: Was already one of the major air bases of the AM, including the longest runway in the world and well developed support facilities that included a seaport and a military hospital. From 1945, it was open to civil air traffic, serving as the civil airport of Terceira island. The AM activities operated from Lajes became increasingly focused on maritime search and rescue operations, using Boeing SB-17 Flying Fortress and Douglas C-54 Skymaster aircraft. Since 1944, its main user had become however not

11009-544: Was being conducted on a derivative of the Chipmunk which featured an extensive cabin modification to accommodate a side-by-side seating arrangement; the aircraft, which was referred to as the DHC-2 , ultimately remained unbuilt. The DHC-2 designation was subsequently reallocated to the company's next product, the DHC-2 Beaver . The de Havilland Canada DHC-1 Chipmunk is a two-seat, single-engine aircraft that has been heavily used as

11118-465: Was implemented in 1886, with the beginning of the use of Lachambre balloons by the Army Engineering School at Tancos. The organization of the Army Telegraphic Service of 1900 assigned it the charge for the aerostation service, namely the specific competency for establishing air communications. The history of the Portuguese military aviation proper is deeply connected with the foundation of

11227-509: Was installed at Amadora , for which an airfield was built. In 1920, the Military School of Aviation was transferred from Vila Nova da Rainha to Granja do Marquês ( Sintra Municipality ), the site of what would become the still existing Sintra Air Base . The Decree 9749 of 30 May 1924, defining that the director of the Military Aeronautics could be a colonel of any arm of the Army (and not necessarily an officer aviator), caused revolt among

11336-558: Was introduced to operational service that same year. During the late 1940s and 1950s, the Chipmunk was procured in large numbers by military air services such as the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), Royal Air Force (RAF), and several other nations' air forces, where it was often utilised as their standard primary trainer aircraft. The type was produced under licence by de Havilland in the United Kingdom , who would produce

11445-655: Was lost at sea with the death of its crew. At the end of World War I, the naval aviation was operating 18 flying boats (FBA type B, Donnet-Denhaut D.D.8 and Tellier T.3), mainly from the Bom Sucesso Naval Air Station. With the end of the conflict, the São Jacinto and the Ponta Delgada air stations were transferred to the Portuguese Navy, together with some of its materiel, including ex-French Donnet-Denhaut D.D.8 and Georges Levy G.L.40 flying boats. In 1919, in

11554-480: Was one of the major features of this reorganisation. Unlike the previous superior bodies of the AM which only had technical authority over the units of the arm, the Command General now had full command over all the air forces and other bodies of the AM. This meant that the AM started to have a chain of command separated from the rest of the Army, gaining a high degree of autonomy and coming to be considered an almost independent branch. Another feature of this reorganization

11663-532: Was the first of an eventual 76 that would be delivered, replacing its almost two decade old de Havilland Tiger Moths. Its first 10 were constructed in the United Kingdom while the following 66 were licence-built by OGMA in Portugal. The Chipmunks would fly with the Elementary Flying Training Squadron (Esquadra de Instrução Elementar de Pilotagem). By 1986 only 36 Chipmunks still remained in service, flying with Esquadra de Instrução 101 . With

11772-556: Was the precursor of the still existing OGMA aviation industry. By the initiative of the local colonial authorities, the Caudron G.4 expeditionary flight that had been deployed to Angola due to World War I became a permanent air unit of the colony in 1918, as the Initial Colonial Flight, based at Huambo . This unit was increased in 1921, with the reception of Caudron G.3 reconnaissance and Breguet 14 bomber airplanes, becoming

11881-638: Was the structuring of the AM in air bases, with the creation of the Sintra , Ota and Tancos air bases, as well as the Lisbon Field Base. The Practical School of Aeronautics was attached to the Sintra Air Base. By this organisation, each fighter flight ( esquadrilha de caça ) would have 15 pilots (6 officers, 6 NCOs and 4 corporals) and respective aircraft, while each bombardment flight ( esquadrilha de bombardeamento ) would have 10 pilots (5 officers, 3 NCOs and 2 corporals) and five bombers. Besides

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