The aircraft will former part of a larger airshow

The aircraft in which King Charles first took to the skies as a young Cambridge student will return to flight at Shuttleworth’s Wings & Wheels Air Show this May.

The Royal Chipmunk, a de Havilland DHC-1 that served as the monarch’s training aircraft in 1969, is set to take part in the event on May 30.

 

The occasion marks eight decades since the Chipmunk first entered service, with Shuttleworth hosting a special formation display to commemorate the anniversary.

Four aircraft will participate in the tribute, including the Royal Chipmunk and Shuttleworth’s own example of the historic trainer.

King Charles

The Royal Chipmunk in which the then-Prince Charles learned to fly in will take part in a anniversary flight in May

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As a student at Cambridge, the then-Prince completed his maiden solo flight in the Chipmunk on January 14 1969.

Within two months of that milestone, he had secured his private pilot’s licence.

The RAF recognised his achievements that summer, awarding him the Preliminary Flying Badge on 2 August 1969.

His aviation training continued, culminating in the presentation of his RAF wings in August 1971.

The Chipmunk proved instrumental in launching the future King’s lifelong connection to military aviation, providing the foundation upon which he would build his flying credentials throughout the following decades.

The Royal Chipmunk’s association with the monarchy extends beyond King Charles alone.

The Royal Chipmunk

The Royal Chipmunk will be joined by three other chipmunk as part of the celebration

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The Duke of Kent also learned to fly in the aircraft, as did Prince Michael and Prince William, cousins of the late Queen Elizabeth.

Constructed in 1952, the trainer was assigned to the RAF Queen’s Flight, where it served from September 20 1960 until June 12 1964.

Following its royal duties, the aircraft found a permanent home at Shuttleworth in 2001.

The Henlow Chipmunk Group has operated and maintained the historic plane ever since, ensuring its continued airworthiness for display flights and commemorative events.

The formation display will showcase the Chipmunk’s international service history, with aircraft representing Canada, Portugal, the British Royal Navy, and the Royal Air Force.

King Charles

The King went on to have a storied flying career after learning in The Royal Chipmunk

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James Butt, Aviation Coordinator at Shuttleworth, said: “We are pleased to include the Royal Chipmunk in our celebration of the Chipmunk’s 80th anniversary at Wings & Wheels. It is an aircraft with a lot of character and has a notable place in British aviation history, thanks to its strong ties to the Royal Family.”

Beyond the Chipmunk tribute, spectators can expect Europe’s sole pair of airworthy Grumman FM-2 Wildcats and Rich Goodwin’s Jet Pitts S2SE among the visiting aircraft.