Daytripping Spring 2024

We search for the most unique shops and stops, so we can tell you about them!
Flights in WWII Aircraft Ready for Take Off
By Diana Spremo, volunteer, Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association
“The roar of the Harvard.” That’s
a phrase you’ll hear a lot around
Tillsonburg, the hometown of the
Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association.
The phrase comes from the distinct loud
rumble of the engines of these iconic
Second World War era training aircraft.
North America’s largest fleet of Harvard
aircraft, seven of them, find their home
with the association which is located at
the Tillsonburg Regional Airport.
Created in 1985, this all-volunteer
charitable organization has worked
tirelessly to keep history alive and
honour those who served by acquiring,
preserving, restoring, maintaining
and displaying the Harvard and other
aircraft associated with the British
Commonwealth Air Training Plan
(BCATP) and the Royal Canadian Air
Force.
The Harvard’s role in military aviation
history is strong and significant. In 1940,
Canada created the BCATP, a program
that saw 151 military flying
schools across Canada train
more than 130,000 air crew
from Canadian and Allied
Forces to become pilots,
gunners, navigators and
more. Before they could earn
their wings and go on to fly
fighters and bombers, pilots
trained on a variety of aircraft
including the Harvard, the
most advanced, single-engine
trainer used during the BCATP.
Dubbed “the pilot maker,”
the Harvard was a familiar
sight and sound at air bases
across Canada.
Today, the Canadian Harvard Aircraft
Association provides remarkable flight
experiences where almost anyone can
soar the skies in these “yellow birds”
and fly as those young men once did,
many years ago.
To keep the legend of the Harvard alive,
and to raise funds, the organization’s
dedicated group of volunteers create
events throughout its April to November
flying season, including Fly Days once
a month, a fundraising banquet and its
popular Wings & Wheels event each
September. Volunteers also keep the
doors open year round every Tuesday
and Saturday for anyone who wishes to
drop by for a tour of their hangars, view
the progress on aircraft restorations, or
take a flight.
The Harvard Association also
participates in air shows throughout
Ontario and neighbouring U.S. states.
This coming season will be a busy
one with 2024 being the
100th anniversary of the
Royal Canadian Air Force. The
association’s volunteers want
to spread the word about
the Harvard’s role in serving
our country during this
time, which lasted until their
retirement in 1964. A special
Open House event to commemorate
the anniversary is being held June 1 at
their home base in Tillsonburg. All are
welcome.
Not all seven Harvard aircraft, plus
the Association’s one Yale, are in flying
condition. While they all have the
potential to fly, restoration, repair and
maintenance on these WWII trainers
are very costly. And although all the
labour—a few thousand hours each year
by the maintenance and restoration
teams—is donated time, the parts are
not. A new engine, for example, costs
$75,000 in U.S. funds!
Last year, the Association
kept three Harvards flying. This
year, anticipation is running
high as the volunteers have
almost completed a painstaking
restoration on serial number
20304 BZT which has not flown
since 1963. Its return to the air
will certainly be emotional.
Harvards are also known as
“thirsty birds,” meaning they
consume a lot of fuel, just like
vehicles did back in the 1940s.
At a cost of approximately
$500 of fuel per flying hour,
the association relies on the
generosity of its supporters to maintain
its fleet.
The Canadian Harvard Aircraft
Association is sometimes referred to as
“the best kept secret” which frustrates
those who dedicate so much time and
effort to keep the legacy of these aircraft
alive.
“These warbirds are a significant
part of history,” explains Walther Irie,
the organization’s volunteer President.
“Here at the Canadian Harvard Aircraft
Association, we pay honour to all those
who served, especially those who were
involved with Harvards during and after
World War II.”
Irie also leads the Harvard
Association’s Aircraft Recovery Dive
Team, a group of experienced divers
who donate their time to locate and
recover aircraft from the bottom of
Ontario’s waters. They are currently
working to recover a P-51 Mustang from
Lake Ontario.
For anyone who would like to make
a donation to this registered, non-profit,
charitable organization, book a flight,
become a member or attend an event,
you can visit their website at www.
harvards.com for more information.
Together we can keep them flying.
Spring 2024 A rumour goes in one ear and out many mouths. - Chinese Proverb
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