For three days, June 20th to 22, 2014, the usually quite skies of Tillsonburg was broken with the thundering roar of North American Harvards flying over the Tillsonburg Regional Airport with A Gathering of Harvards and Heroes. To mark the 75th anniversary of the introduction of the Harvards into Canada, the Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association (CHAA) hosted this three day event to honour both veterans and this vintage aircraft.
In 1939, the North American Aviation Harvard was imported from the United States into Canada. These single-engine aircrafts were built by North American Aviation and were used during the Second World War to train 130,000 aircrew under the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan in Canada. According to André Brisson, a member of CHAA, the Harvard is “specifically designed not to work well to trick and test the pilot.” The Harvard is a single most advanced trainer. Once one mastered flying this plane they then could become bomber pilots on the Spitfire or the Avro Lancaster.
In 1939, the North American Aviation Harvard was imported from the United States into Canada. These single-engine aircrafts were built by North American Aviation and were used during the Second World War to train 130,000 aircrew under the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan in Canada. According to André Brisson, a member of CHAA, the Harvard is “specifically designed not to work well to trick and test the pilot.” The Harvard is a single most advanced trainer. Once one mastered flying this plane they then could become bomber pilots on the Spitfire or the Avro Lancaster.
de Havilland Tiger Moth Despite its 75th anniversary, Tillsonburg will be the only place that A Gathering of Harvards and Heroes will occur. President of CHAA Pat Hanna reported that Tillsonburg has the largest Harvard Association and operation of Harvards in North America with eight Harvards, a Tiger Moth and a Yale. Invitations for this event went out to 144 Harvard owners throughout North America. Pilots came from the surrounding area and one from Montreal. Pat stated that two Harvard owners from British Colombia intended to fly down. However, bad weather and not being able to pass the mountains, they reluctantly had to turn around and fly back. Close to ten private Harvard owners came with their vintage aircrafts. One plane, a blue Beachcraft, came all the way from Wichita, Kansas.
North American Yale Public Relations Chair for CHAA, Terry Scott, proudly reported how a 93 year old WWII veteran Leonard Wilson took a ride in a Harvard on Friday. After the Opening Ceremony on Saturday, 97 year old Parkwood resident Walter Erwin took to the skies again. For all anyone knows, these men and other veterans who had backseat rides could have flown in the same plans they once piloted 75 years earlier. “There was a lot of history” Terry stated and explained how Walter trained on a Harvard in Moncton, Nova Scotia then went overseas on two tours of duty, which equals sixty missions, on board Halifax bombers.
About 500 to 600 people milled around the Tillsonburg Airport on Saturday getting glimpses of the various vintage plans on the grounds and the booths of souvenirs and information. Some participants had the opportunity to take to the skies by purchasing time to fly with Harvard pilots. The weather on Saturday was beautiful. But Terry reported that the winds suddenly would pick up from zero to 50 knots. Warm weather could create more "thermal which is great for gliders and Turkey Vultures but can be a rough ride in a Harvard." Veterans attended workshops and networked. A banquet on Saturday night capped the evening off. About 200 quests were expected to fill a hanger donated by Danny Richer. The guest speaker for the evening was the Lieutenant-General (Retired) Allan DeQuetteville, Commander, Air Command in Canada from 1995 to 1997. The finally occurred at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday; a mass formation of more than a dozen Harvards thundering over the Tillsonburg Regional Airport.
About 500 to 600 people milled around the Tillsonburg Airport on Saturday getting glimpses of the various vintage plans on the grounds and the booths of souvenirs and information. Some participants had the opportunity to take to the skies by purchasing time to fly with Harvard pilots. The weather on Saturday was beautiful. But Terry reported that the winds suddenly would pick up from zero to 50 knots. Warm weather could create more "thermal which is great for gliders and Turkey Vultures but can be a rough ride in a Harvard." Veterans attended workshops and networked. A banquet on Saturday night capped the evening off. About 200 quests were expected to fill a hanger donated by Danny Richer. The guest speaker for the evening was the Lieutenant-General (Retired) Allan DeQuetteville, Commander, Air Command in Canada from 1995 to 1997. The finally occurred at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday; a mass formation of more than a dozen Harvards thundering over the Tillsonburg Regional Airport.
North American T-28B Trojan Trainer plan used by the U.S. Navy Behind the hanger sat an impressive all black plane. Upon closer inspection it was identified as a Trojan T-28B by model airplane enthusiast, Bill Richards who had a model of one. Bill explained that the T-28’s were trainers for the American Navy after the Second World War. A trailer hook at the back of the plane was used to land on air crafter carriers that had three hooks on the ship. “The idea is to hit the middle one if you can.” The plane owned by Danny Richer sat near a blue T-28C, a new model, owned by Fort Erie resident Al Beam. Both planes have rotary engines with nine cylinders as Bill pointed out.
North American T-28CB Trojan Aside from the three day historic event in Tillsonburg, Roger Cross is working on a documentary on both the Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association and on A Gathering of Harvards and Heroes. Pat Hanna stated that both the National and CBC would be present to interview him and take pictures which would no doubt be breathtaking.
nine cylinders rotary engine on the T-28B To find out more about the Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association visit their website and my blog in the future.
CHAA Events:
Monthly Open House/Fly Days occur on Saturdays on these dates: July 12th and August 2, 2014
From their website: “for the sixth consecutive year CHAA and its Formation Team will be demonstrating at and supporting the Waterloo Air Show.”
They will also host their 7th Annually Wings & Wheels Family Day on Saturday September 13, 2014
A2A Photography Clinic: This would be extraordinary; for the first time in Ontario CHAA and photojournalist Eric Dumigan will be hosting an Air-to-Air photo clinic on Saturday September 20, 2014, rain date September 21, 2014. Participants will have a 2 hour classroom instruction on planning photo shoots, safety then to familiarize with the backseat of a Harvard before going up to take pictures. This all day event, lunch is provided, is limited to 8 people and cost $950 (plus $50 CHAA membership)
Tillsonburg Regional Airport Event:
The Tillsonburg Regional Airport will be hosting the South Coast International Air Show on Saturday August 23, 2014
Monthly Open House/Fly Days occur on Saturdays on these dates: July 12th and August 2, 2014
From their website: “for the sixth consecutive year CHAA and its Formation Team will be demonstrating at and supporting the Waterloo Air Show.”
They will also host their 7th Annually Wings & Wheels Family Day on Saturday September 13, 2014
A2A Photography Clinic: This would be extraordinary; for the first time in Ontario CHAA and photojournalist Eric Dumigan will be hosting an Air-to-Air photo clinic on Saturday September 20, 2014, rain date September 21, 2014. Participants will have a 2 hour classroom instruction on planning photo shoots, safety then to familiarize with the backseat of a Harvard before going up to take pictures. This all day event, lunch is provided, is limited to 8 people and cost $950 (plus $50 CHAA membership)
Tillsonburg Regional Airport Event:
The Tillsonburg Regional Airport will be hosting the South Coast International Air Show on Saturday August 23, 2014
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