ADF-SERIALS
Australian & New Zealand Military Aircraft Serials & History

North American Harvard
239 Wing (RAF) including 3 & 450 Sqns (RAAF), RAAF Museum & EATS

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Harvard Image Gallery

  
     
  For a short period in 1942 three Harvard's were issued to 239 Wing, RAF (3 & 450 Squadrons RAAF and 112 & 250 Squadrons RAF) for what was described as ‘Wing Training’. Therefore they were available to and used by 3 & 450 Sqn RAAF personnel. There is no evidence that these aircraft were actually taken on unit charge directly by either of the two RAAF squadrons.

This training encompassed check-out flights for new pilots, ferrying pilots to pick up replacement aircraft and converting RAF trained “3 pointer” pilots to “wheel landings” more commonly used in US aircraft.

The three aircraft carried RAF serials, and are reported as being AJ844, AJ845 and AJ944 finished in standard desert camouflage.

Other than a few photos of AJ845 and AJ944, and some personal log book entries from RAAF pilots such as Bobby Gibbes not much more recorded history has been found regarding these aircraft so far as they relate to the RAAF units.

Notes and anomalies:

1) These three aircraft were all North American Inglewood, California (NA) produced NA-76 Harvard II's from an RAF order for 450 aircraft serialled AJ538 to AJ987 (CN 76-3508 to 76-3957) produced between 1940 and 1942. The NA-76 Harvard II was RAF version of the BC-1A/AT-6 fitted with British equipment and without provision for a rear gunner.

2) Of the other Harvard II's from the serial batch AJ538 to AJ987:

AJ602 - AJ642, AJ663 - AJ682, AJ703 - AJ722 & AJ738 - AJ752 were Delivered to the Royal Rhodesian Air Force
AJ855 - AJ892 became NZ968 - NZ1005 with the Royal New Zealand Air Force
AJ955 - AJ987 went to the Royal Canadian Air Force.

3) AJ944 is often quoted as being one of the aircraft operated by 239 Wing RAF, but this would appear to be an error. One reference as being RCAF NA-76 CN 76-3914 which went to No 4 training Command RCAF by 30 December 1941.

4) A Noorduyn Sk-16A/AT-16A Harvard (CN 14A-1106, FS966,) registerd VH-TXN to John Rayner has flown in the markings of AJ844, AJ845 and AJ944 since 1999 representing each of this trio of Desert Harvards. This particular Harvard was built in Canada during August 1943, taken on charge by the RAF and allocated serial number FS966 before transfer to the RCAF. It was flown by Commonwealth pilots, including Australians of the RAAF as part of the Empire Air Training Scheme in Canada. After the war, FS966 remained in Canada until sold to the Royal Swedish Air Force during 1946, where it remained in service until 1969. FS966 was one of a handful of Harvards retained by the RSAF Museum until traded to an Australian collector for other aircraft parts during 1980. The purchase of Harvard FS966 was negotiated by its present owner, John Rayner during 1994 and brought up to flying standard.

 
     
 
Aircraft Serial Type NA Contract CN Aircraft History
AJ839 Mk.II NA-76 76-? North American Inglewood, California (NA),
Coded "2" while being used by 451 Squadron at Rayak for training purposes in 1942,
It was probably briefly attached from one of the M.E training units (typical markings for such with the code '2') rather than being officially on 451 Sqn charge.

Harvard AJ839 coded 2 451 Sqn Sqn Ldr Alan Ferguson in the cockpit Harvard AJ839 coded 2 451 Sqn Sqn Ldr Alan Ferguson in the cockpit

AJ844 Mk.II NA-76 76-3814? North American Inglewood, California (NA),
239 Wing, RAF

Harvard AJ844 Harvard AJ844 Harvard AJ844 Harvard AJ844 Harvard AJ844 Harvard AJ844 Harvard VH-TXN
AJ845 Mk.II NA-76 76-3815? North American Inglewood, California (NA),
239 Wing, RAF

Highlight for Album: Harvard AJ845 Harvard AJ845 Harvard AJ845 Harvard VH-TXN Harvard VH-TXN 

AJ944 Mk.II NA-76 76-3914 AJ944 is often quoted as being one of the aircraft operated by 239 Wing RAF, but this would appear to be an error. One reference as being RCAF NA-76 CN 76-3914 which went to No 4 training Command RCAF by 30 December 1941. It's real history was:

30/12/1941 - Taken on strength by No. 4 Training Command,
Delivered to stored reserve, intended for No. 39 Service Flying Training School at Swift Current, Saskatchewan.
31/12/1941 No. 2 Training Command for use by No. 41 Service Flying Training School at Weyburn, Saskatchewan,
06/05/1944 To storage on 6 May 1944.,
01/12/1944 To No. 2 Air Command , still in storage,
Stored at No. 206 Reserve Equipment Maintenance Satellite at Weyburn.
07/07/1945 Noted as frozen series.
19/01/1948 Reported with 1696:55 total time, condition fair, fitment standard,
02/02/1951 t0 06/10/1951 To Canada Car & Foundry for reconditioning and modifications,
To Training Command when completed, for use at RCAF Station Centralia, Ontario.
01/03/1954 To storage at No. 25 Air Material Base,
To inactive reserve at Lincoln Park on 9 October 1957.
18/12/1959 Pending disposal at Lincoln Park,
18/10/1960 - Struck off, to Crown Assets Disposal Corporation for sale,
Sold to Davis Enterprises of Edmonton.

Harvard VH-TXN
 
     
 
Aircraft Serial Type NA Contract CN Aircraft History
AJ944 Mk.II NA-76 76-3914 AJ944 is often quoted as being one of the aircraft operated by 239 Wing RAF, but this would appear to be an error.

One reference refers to this airframe as being  RCAF NA-76 CN 76-3914 which went to No 4 Training Command RCAF by 30 December 1941.

It's real history was:

30/12/1941 - Taken on strength by No. 4 Training Command,
Delivered to stored reserve, intended for No. 39 Service Flying Training School at Swift Current, Saskatchewan.
31/12/1941 No. 2 Training Command for use by No. 41 Service Flying Training School at Weyburn, Saskatchewan,
06/05/1944 To storage on 6 May 1944.,
01/12/1944 To No. 2 Air Command , still in storage,
Stored at No. 206 Reserve Equipment Maintenance Satellite at Weyburn.
07/07/1945 Noted as frozen series.
19/01/1948 Reported with 1696:55 total time, condition fair, fitment standard,
02/02/1951 t0 06/10/1951 To Canada Car & Foundry for reconditioning and modifications,
To Training Command when completed, for use at RCAF Station Centralia, Ontario.
01/03/1954 To storage at No. 25 Air Material Base,
To inactive reserve at Lincoln Park on 9 October 1957.
18/12/1959 Pending disposal at Lincoln Park,
18/10/1960 - Struck off, to Crown Assets Disposal Corporation for sale,
Sold to Davis Enterprises of Edmonton.

Harvard VH-TXN
 
     
  RAAF Museum Harvards  
     
  Several ex RNZAF Harvards have been on charge with the RAAF Museum at Point Cook, including one (41-33840/EX867/NZ1060/VH-SFY) which was operated in an airworthy condition from 1988 to 2004.  
     
 
RNZAF
Serial		 RAF
Serial 		Type USAAF
Serial		 Registration NA Contract CN Aircraft History
NZ1034

Marked as "NZ947"		 EX589 Harvard Mk.IIA 41-33562 N/A NA-88 88-12033 ??/04/1943 Shipped to New Zealand on "Vessel 27"and assembled at Hobsonville,
20/04/1943 Brought on RNZAF Charge,
From early 1944 RNZAF Central Flying School in Tauranga,
??/07/1944 With No.2 OTU Ohakea,
02/11/1950 With No.4 (TAF) Squadron,
08/10/1951 With No.3 (TAF) Squadron -07 July 1952,
??/08/1954 Eighth Mk IIA to be converted to Mk 2A between August 1954 and May 1957,
??/08/1972 Stored at Woodbourne,
??/??/1976 Converted to INST210 with No. 4 TTS Woodbourne in 1976 and transferred to Ohakea,
??/08/1977 Issued to RNZAF Museum Ohakea in complete but unflyable condition,
In 1977, the RNZAF Harvard fleet was up for disposal, and NZ1034 was one of the aircraft retained as a historic display aircraft.
After a partial restoration at RNZAF Ohakea, the aircraft moved around various displays at the base.
Gifted to the RAAF to mark the Australian Bicentennial in 1988.
Nine Ohakea personnel under Flt Lt Mike Nicholls worked 1130 man-hours on de-modifying it to a Mk II Model. Certain items were removed, such as aerials, the gunsights and fin lights which were traded for Mk II parts. Components that could not be found had to be made from scratch, including the dual venturis, the tail light on the rudder and the long exhaust. Finally it was painted in the yellow colour scheme as used in Canada. It was given the markings of NZ947 which served 18 years in the RNZAF as an advanced training aircraft before being sold as scrap.
12/12/1988 Presented to RAAF and flown to Australia in RNZAF Hercules for presentation to RAAF Museum on 12 December 1988.
Displayed At RAAF Museum, Point Cook, Victoria as NZ947.

Highlight for Album: RAAF Museum Harvard NZ1034
NZ1060

Marked as "NZ934" 		EX867 AT-6D-NT
Harvard MK.III		 41-33840 VH-SFY NA-88 88-14493 ??/09/1943 Shipped to New Zealand on "Cape Florida" and assembled at Hobsonville,
06/10/1943 Brought on RNZAF Charge,
With No.3 (TAF) Squadron 10 April 1952-29 February 1956.
Twelfth Mk III to be converted to Mk 3* between May and November 1957.
??/07/1962 To storage at Wigram,
23/11/1977 Presented to RAAF and transported to Australia by RAAF Hercules,
Restored to flying condition by Winrye Aviation,
28/07/1988 Registered to RAAF Museum, Point Cook as VH-SFY.
02/12/2004 Ground looped on landing following an engine failure at West Sale.

“The damage was assessed as Category 5. The aircraft has sustained major damage to its centre section, including the primary structure of the centre section, fuel tanks and main landing gear. The RH main landing gear was ripped completely out of the centre section during the accident. The outer wings have also sustained major damage. The engine has been damaged and will require at minimum a bulk strip, including the replacement of a number of cylinder assemblies, and to repair any other damage found during the bulk strip. The engine mount and engine cowls are also damaged The aircraft’s airframe hours were 9078.4 plus approximately two hours before the accident, while its engine hours were 423.7 plus approximately two hours before the accident. These hours are Time Since Overhaul (TSO)"

20/10/2010 Sold at aution (Auctioneers ManheimFowles Altona, Victoria),
Purchased by Historic Aircraft Restoration Society (HARS) member Rosemary Szabo and trucked to Albion Park 31/10/2010,
Traded to HARS engineer Bill Smith for long term rebuild.

Highlight for Album: RAAF Museum Harvard NZ1060
NZ1075 EZ243 AT-6D-NT
Harvard MK.III		 41-34116 VH-HVD NA-88 88-15870 Previously EZ243. From RAF/FAA lend-lease allocations.
Shipped to New Zealand on "Hughli Gulf" in April 1944 and assembled at Hobsonville.
BOC 03 May 1944.
Nineteenth and final Mk III to be converted to Mk 3* between May and November 1957.
To storage at Wigram July 1962.
Took part in Harvard 30th Anniversary Flypast over Christchurch on 22 March 1971.
Took part in final Harvard Flypast over Christchurch on 24 June 1977.
Sold by GSB tender during 1978 to Airferry Inc., Sydney, NSW and registered to Leather Fashions Ltd., Auckland as ZK-ENI on 20 November 1978.
Sold and flown to Australia in August 1981.
Cancelled from NZ register on 24 June 1982.
Registered to H. Brunton, Narromine, NSW as VH-HVD on 21 June 1982.
To Fintonne PTY., Collingwood NSW on 03 February 1989.
To D. Hamilton, Whorouly, Victoria on 11 November 1994.
To Global Network Pty., Braybrook, Victoria on 15 December 1995.
To Airport Facilities Ltd. Braybook, Victoria on 22 October 1996.
20/06/2017 Registered VH-HVD to Director RAAF Museum
 
     
  RAAF Aircrew serving overseas - Harvard Accidents and Fatalities  
     
  Many RAAF aircrew trained on Havards overseas as part of the Empire Air Training Scheme or flew Harvards in service with the RAF in Canada, Egypt, India, Southern Rhodesia, New Zealand the United Kingdom, United States and elsewhere. Under the pressure of wartime, there were many accidents and also sadly many losses. Some of those are recorded here.  
   
 
Serial Type NA Contract CN Country Service Unit Incident Date Crew Outcome Comments
2689 Harvard Mk.II NA-66 66-2422 Canada RCAF 2 SFTS 15/08/1941 RAAF 403352 LAC Harry William Long, (Pupil Pilot)

LAC Long is buried in the Ottawa (Beechwod) Cemetery, Canada.		 Fatal 28/11/1940 Taken on charge,
Category A damage on 15 August 1941 while with No. 2 Service Flying Training School at Uplands, Ontario. Had 161:00 airframe time at time of crash.
02/09/1942 Struck off charge.

On the 15th August 1941, Harvard 2689 flown by LAC Long, was detailed to carry out a solo night training flight. At approx 0230 hours, the Instructor in charge of night flying noticed lights of an aircraft which appeared to be flying against the circuit, gliding along at a height of about 100 feet some two miles away. It disappeared and instructions were given for all aircraft flying at that time to be grounded. It was then found that Harvard 2689 with Long as Pilot was missing and searches were commenced. The wreck of the aircraft was found 2/3 miles from the drome.The pilot was seriously injured but died of his injuries.
2699 Harvard Mk.II NA-66 66-2432 Canada RCAF 13 SFTS 12/02/1945 RAAF 438006 LAC Peter John Haley, (Pupil Pilot)

LAC Haley is buried in the North Battleford Cemetery, Canada.		 Fatal 02/12/1940 Taken on charge,
Category C damage on 3 May 1941 while with No. 2 Service Flying Training School at Uplands, Ontario.
Placed in storage on 24 May 1943.
16/05/1945 Struck off charge, broken up for spares

On the 12th February 1945, Harvard 2699 took off on a low level cross-country training flight. The aircraft crashed at 1000 hours near Tramping, Lake Saskatchewan, Canada, and the pilot was killed.
2704 Harvard Mk.II NA-66 66-2437 Canada RCAF 1 SFTS 4/02/1941 RAAF 400156 LAC C.M.Ross. Trainee Pilot
RAAF 407110 LAC Colin Tolhurst Arthur, Trainee Pilot

Both the crew have no known grave and their names are commemorated on the Ottawa Memorial, Canada. The Memorial stands on the north east point of Green Island in the City of Ottawa and overlooks the Rideau Falls.		 Fatal 06/12/1940 Taken on Charge,
Category A damage on 4 February 1941 while with No. 1 Service Flying Training School at Camp Borden, Ontario. Had 106:40 airframe time when struck off 26 March 1941.

Harvard 2704 of No. 1 Service Flying Training School, RCAF, crashed on a detached ice floe on 4 February 1941, 1.5 to 2 miles off-shore in Nottawasaga Bay, Ontario. The aircraft was carrying out instrument flying practice. It flew into severe weather conditions and it was considered that LAC Ross was unable to cope with it due to his inexperience.
Small parts of the aircraft apparently the wings, were spread over a large area, but the engine and main body of the aircraft appeared to have gone through the ice to the bottom of the lake.
The above was observed from the air and it was impossible to reach the spot on the surface. Due to bad weather and a heavy southerly gale the ice flow completely disappeared on 8 February 1941, and salvage operations were suspended until the spring.
In mid May 1941 salvage operations located the wreckage approx 3 miles north west from the Nottawasaga River in the Georgian Bay in approx 60 feet of water. By mid June a major portion of the wreck was brought to the surface. Divers searched the lake bottom but no bodies were found in the water or in the wreck. The search was subsequently
abandoned.
2972 Harvard Mk.II NA-66 66-2705 Canada RCAF 14 SFTS 5/12/1942 RAAF 410176 LAC John Charles Smith, (Pilot)

LAC Smith is buried in the Aylmer Cemetery, Ontario, Canada.		 Fatal 17/03/1941 Taken on Charge,
Category B damage on 12 May 1941 while with the Central Flying School at RCAF Station Trenton, Ontario.
Also served with No. 6 Service Flying Training School at Dunnville, Ontario.
18/10/1960 Struck off, to Crown Assets Disposal Corporation for sale.

On the 5th December 1942, Harvard 2972 shortly after take off during a night flying exercise, crashed at 2300 hours, one mile north west of the aerodrome at Aylmer, Ontario, Canada. The pilot was killed.
2987 Harvard Mk.II NA-66 66-2720 Canada RCAF 1 SFTS 9/02/1945 RCAF FO Martin, J D H (Instructor Pilot)
RAAF 441451 LAC Gordon John Powell, (Pupil Pilot)

FO Martin is buried in the St John Holy Cross Cemetery, Saint John County, Canada.
LAC Powell is buried in the St Mary’s Roman Catholic Cemetery, Barrie, Ontario,
Canada.		 Fatal 25/03/1941 Taken on charge,
Category B damage on 31 May 1942 while with No. 2 Service Flying Training School at Uplands, Ontario.
Also with No. 13 SFTS at St. Hubert, PQ.
09/02/1945 Category A crash, into Lake Simcoe,
10 April 1945 Struck off charge

On the 9th February 1945, a Harvard aircraft on an instrument training flight crashed at Big Bay Point on Lake Simcoe approx 25 miles from RAF Camp Borden, Ontario, Canada. The crew were killed in the crash.
3071 Harvard Mk.IIB Noorduyn 07-38 Canada RCAF 13 SFTS 17/03/1943 RAAF 421120 Sgt John Harvison Manuel, (Pilot)

Sgt Manuel is buried in the Montreal (Mount Royal) Cemetery, Canada.		 Fatal 20/09/1941 Taken on strength,
Category C damage on 7 December 1941 while with No. 13 Service Flying Training School at St. Hubert, PQ.
13 May 1943 Struck off after crash.

On the 17th March 1943, Harvard 3071 from RCAF St Hubert, crashed at approx 1800 hours near St Amable Belceil township in the Province of Quebec.
3159 Harvard Mk.II NA-75 75-3433 Canada RCAF 1 SFTS 18/11/1942 RAAF 417090 LAC Gordon Hubert Litchfield, (Pilot)
RAAF 409942 LAC Peter Madden (Navigator)

Both the crew are buried in the Barrie Union Cemetery, Barrie, Ontario, Canada.		 Fatal 05/06/1941 Taken on charge,
Category A damage on 18 November 1942 at Camp Borden, Ontario, while with No. 1 Service Flying Training School.
Reported to have had 8 prior accidents
11/01/1943 Struck off charge

On the 18th November 1942, Harvard 3159 proceeded on a navigational operational flight. At approx 1245 hours a call was received from the Air Traffic Control at Milton advising that an aircraft had been seen to crash at 1200 hours approx some eight miles north of Listowel, Canada. Both the occupants in the aircraft had been killed.
3198 Harvard Mk.II NA-75 75-3472 Canada RCAF 14 SFTS 8/12/1941 LAC Ralph Lindsay Brockhoff 416144

LAC Brockhoff is buried in the Aylmer Cemetery, Canada.		 Fatal 25/06/1941 Taken on charge,
Category A damage on 5 December 1941 while with No. 14 Service Flying Training School at RCAF Station Aylmer, Ontario.
Crashed at Tillsonburg, Ontario.
03/03/1942 Struck off charge

On the 8th December 1941, Harvard 3198 flown solo by LAC Brockhoff, crashed into bush at 1530 hours 2 miles north east of Tillsonburg, Ontario Canada. The aircraft was returning to base on completion of formation flying.
3230 Harvard Mk.II NA-75 75-3504 Canada RCAF 6 SFTS 21/04/1944 RAAF 422646 PO Kenneth Ernest Wright Leigh (Pilot)
RCAF LAC C C Kendall, (Pupil Pilot)

PO Leigh is buried in the Dunnville (Riverside) Cemetery, Canada.
LAC Kendall is buried in the Toronto (Park Lawn) Cemetery, Canada.		 Fatal 02/07/1941 Taken on charge,
Category A damage at Uplands, Ontario on 3 May 1944 while with No. 6 Service Flying Training School at Dunnville, Ontario.
28/06/1944 Struck off charge.

On the 21st April 1943, Harvard MK11 3230 on a non-operational night navigation exercise, crashed approx for miles west of Willowgrave, Canada, and both the crew were killed.
3270 Harvard Mk.IIB Noorduyn 07-137 Canada RCAF 6 SFTS 21/04/1943 RAAF 422646 PO Leigh, Kenneth Ernest Wright (Pilot)
RCAF LAC C C Kendall, (Pupil Pilot)

PO Leigh is buried in the Dunnville (Riverside) Cemetery, Canada.
LAC Kendall is buried in the Toronto (Park Lawn) Cemetery, Canada.		 Fatal 27/01/1942 Taken on charge,
Served with No. 9 Service Flying Training School.
Delivered to No. 400 Squadron (Auxiliary) on14 March 1956, at RCAF Station Downsview, Ontario.
Also used post war at RCAF Station Trenton, Ontario.
18/10/1960 Struck off charge.

On the 21st April 1943, Harvard MK11 3230 on a non-operational night navigation exercise, crashed approx for miles west of Willowgrave, Canada, and both the crew were killed.
3798 Harvard Mk.II NA-81 81-4065 Canada RCAF 11 FTS 13/06/1941 RAAF 403081 LAC Wilfred John Peter Tibbits, (Pupil Pilot)

LAC Tibbits is buried in the Yotkston Cemetery, Saskatchewan, Canada.		 Fatal 03/03/1941 Taken on charge,
Category A damage on 13 June 1941, while with No. 11 Service Flying Training School at Yorkton, Saskatchewan,
08/07/1941 Struck off charge after crash.

On the 13th June 1941, Harvard 3798 took off for a solo training flight, and crashed six miles north east of the main drome at Yorkston, Saskatchewan, Canada. The pilot was killed.
?       Canada RCAF 14 SFTS 5/02/1943 RAAF 409959 LAC Geoffrey James Taylor, (Pilot)

LAC Taylor is buried in the Aylmer cemetery, Canada.		 Fatal On the 5th February 1943, a Harvard flown by LAC Taylor crashed at 1300 hours, at Westminster township, near London, Ontario, Canada, and the Pilot was killed. The aircraft had pulled out of a dive, but he delayed his pull out too long, causing the aircraft to mush into the ground. The aircraft was evidently in a stalled condition at the time of impact, borne out by the fact that the starboard wing was not dragged through the snow but left a perfectly clear imprint. The cause of the accident was considered to be unauthorised low flying.
?       Canada RCAF CFS 3/05/1943 RAAF 291966 Flt Lt Dudley Tabor Everett (Pilot)

Flt Lt Everett is buried in the Trenton (St George’s) Cemetery, Ontario, Canada.		 Fatal On the 3rd May 1943, a Harvard flown by Flt Lt Everett on a solo practice flight, crashed ay approx 1900 hours, five miles south east of RCAF Trenton, Ontarion.The Pilot was killed.
?       Canada RCAF 14 SFTS 21/06/1943 RAAF 426626 LAC Colin Dent Litzow, (Pupil Pilot)

LAC Litzow is buried in the Aylmer Cemetery, Canada.		   On the 21st June 1943, a Harvard flown by LAC Litzow, crashed at 1435 hours on the Bombing range at Yarmouth,near Aylmer, Ontario, Canada. The Pilot was killed.
N7009 Harvard Mk.I NA-16   Rhodesia SRAF ? 10/06/1942 SGT HE Boyce 1332390 ? (This service number is not an Australian Sno, Nor is there a HE (Harold Ernest) listed as served or listed as a casulity with the RAAF.
N7187 Harvard Mk.I NA-16   Rhodesia SRAF 20 SFTS 4/08/1941 SAAF Sgt G W Ford (Instructor Pilot)
LAC Allan Thomas Masson 400928

Both the crew are buried in the Harare (Pioneer) Cemetery, Zimbabwe.		 Fatal On the 4th August 1941, Harvard N7187 took off for Instrument Flying practice at a minimum height of 2,000 feet. The aircraft crashed 16 miles from Bakenkobje Farm near Salisbury, Rhodesia, and the crew of two were killed.
In the opinion of an Investigator into the crash : “The aircraft stalled after a steep turn without insufficient height for recovery. It was being flown below the prescribed height of 2,000 .feet.
N7198 Harvard Mk.I NA-16   Rhodesia SRAF 27 SFTS 18/08/1941 RAAF 400960 LAC Harrold GeorgeG Boulter, (Pupil Pilot)
RAAF 6771 LAC Oswald Mosley Connors, (Pupil Pilot)

The crew are buried in the Gweru Cemetery, Zimbabwe.		 Fatal On the 16th August 1941, Harvard N7198 took off for instrument flying practice, and crashed at 1200 hours 8 miles east of Gwelo, Rhodesia. All on board were killed.
P5804 Harvard Mk.I NA-16   Rhodesia SRAF 20 SFTS 16/08/1941 RAAF 402696 Sgt Edgar Charles Jago (Pilot)

Commonwealth War Graves do not record where Sgt Jago is buried.		 Fatal On the 16th August 1941, Harvard P5804 from No 20 Service Flg Trg School, Salisbury, Southern Rhodesia, was detailed to carry out a solo night flying practice. The aircraft crashed and the pilot was killed A Court of Inquiry into the accident stated : “ it is our opinion that (a) when the aircraft took off the Pilot swung the aircraft violently to the right on opening his throttles, then closed the throttles and partly corrected the swing. He then opened the throttles again when he had an insufficient take off run. (b) after overshooting the drome, the results of the accident were aggravated by the presence of boulders in the scrub just beyond the
drome.”
The OC of the School in his remarks stated : “A more experienced pilot would have throttled his engine right down and returned for a fresh take off, thus the accident would have been avoided.”
P5868 Harvard Mk.I NA-16   Rhodesia SRAF 20 SFTS 1/10/1942 RAAF 409409 Sgt Thomas Leo Hogan, (Pupil Pilot)
Sgt Hogan is buried in the Harare (Pioneer) Cemetery, Zimbabwe.		 Fatal On the 1st October 1942, Harvard P5868 during a solo dive bombing exercise at the Inkomo bombing range, crashed at 0930 hours, when the aircraft failed to recover from a dive. The Pilot was killed.
P5918 Harvard Mk.I NA-16   Rhodesia SRAF 20 SFTS 26/05/1941 RAAF 402534 Sgt John Murray Opie, (Pupil Pilot)

Sgt Opie is buried in the Harare (Pioneer) cemetery, Zimbabwe.		 Fatal On the 26th May 1941, Harvard P5918 crashed at 1030 hours at Banket, and the pilot was killed.
P5940 Harvard Mk.I NA-16   Rhodesia SRAF 20 SFTS 5/11/1942 RAAF 409410 Sgt Neil Wedgwood Reid, (Trainee Pilot)

Sgt Reid is buried in the Harare (Pioneer) Cemetery, Zimbabwe.		 Fatal On the 5th November 1942, Harvard P5940 collided in mid air with another Harvard No
P5919 at 1030 hours, and crashed three miles south east of Prince Edward Dam,
Rhodesia. Sgt Reid was killed.
A611 ?       Rhodesia SRAF 22 SFTS 1/07/1942 RAAF 406861 LAC Michael Courthope Haynes, (Pupil Pilot)
Crew : N7063
RAAF 406843 LAC Gordon Russell Gosden, (Pupil Pilot)

Both are buried in the Gweru Cemetery, Zimbabwe.		 Fatal On the 1st July 1942, Harvard A611 took off from 22 SFTS Thornhill, detailed to carry out formation flying with four other aircraft near Guinea Fowl, Rhodesia. When flying at a height of 3,000 feet, A611 collided with another aircraft N7063 and both aircraft crashed to the ground at 0715 hours, four miles north west of Guinea Fowl. Both pilots were killed.
AJ667 Harvard Mk.II NA-66   Rhodesia SRAF ? 14/04/1942 LAC LJ Viallis 408603 Non Fatal  
AJ669 Harvard Mk.II NA-66   Rhodesia SRAF 22 SFTS 9/01/1942 RAAF 416102 Sgt James Burdell Lockyer, (Pilot)
RAF FO White, A L (Pilot)

Both the crew are buried in the Gweru Cemetery, Zimbabwe.		 Fatal On the 9th January 1942, Harvard AJ660 crashed at 2025 hours and both the crew were killed.
AJ772 Harvard Mk.II NA-66                
AJ777 Harvard Mk.II NA-66                
AJ798 Harvard Mk.II NA-76 76-3768 Canada RCAF   30/04/1942     16/10/1941 Taken on strength by No. 4 Training Command,
Delivered to stored reserve.
Issued from storage on 18 October 1941, for use by No. 34 Service Flying Training School at Medicine Hat, Alberta.
Category C3 damage at 06:30 on 30 April 1942, at St. Aldwyn relief aerodrome.
To storage on 13 October 1944.
To No. 2 Air Command on 1 December 1944, still in storage.
Noted as frozen series on 7 July 1945, still in storage.
To workshop reserve at No. 10 Repair Depot on 9 October 1945.
Reported on 17 April 1947 by No. 10 Repair Depot with "over 2000 hours since new", never overhauled.
To Aircraft Industries for reconditioning and modifications, 2 September 1950.
To Training Command on 27 June 1951. Category A crash at RCAF Station Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan on 19 November 1953.
27 November 1953 - Struck off, scrapped at Moose Jaw.
EX101 Harvard Mk.IIA NA-88 88-9180 Egypt RAF 71 OTU 29/12/1942 FLGOFF FJ Madden 401982 Fatal 41-33074 (c/n 88-9180) to RAF as Harvard IIA EX101.
29/12/1942 Collided with Harvard EX324 (ex 41033297) and crashed 4 mi S of Summit
EX846 Harvard Mk.IIA NA-88 88-14382   RAF         41-33819 (c/n 88-14382) to RAF as Harvard IIA EX846.
31/05/1945 Struck off charge..
EX938 Harvard Mk.III NA-88 88-14383   RAF   9/09/1944 RAAF 412592 FLTLT E C Hay   41-33911 (c/n 88-14883) to RAF as Harvard III EX938.
Cat B2 09/09/44 by F/Lt E C Hay 12592,
28/11/1946 Struck off charge.
FE506 Harvard Mk.IIB     Canada RCAF ? 6/07/1944 LAC RJ Holder 439653 ? 13/10/1942 Taken on charge,
06/07/1944
11/10/1944 Struck off charge.
FE558 Harvard Mk.IIB     Canada RCAF ? 24/05/1945 PLTOFF BA Tait 429020 Non Fatal 03/11/1942 Taken on charge
FE718 Harvard Mk.IIB     India RAF 3 RFU 16/05/1944 RAAF 421779 Flt Sgt Douglas Arthur Whitehurst, (Pilot)
RAF Sgt P A Wilde, (Pilot)

Both the crew are buried in the Kirkee War cemetery, India.		 Fatal On the 16th May 1944, Harvard 718 was authorised to carry out instrument flying at 3,000 feet above sea level. The aircraft took off at 1035 hours, and as it had not returned by 1200 hours, overdue action was taken. Eye witnesses stated that the aircraft was flying very low and hit a tree, struck a bank and turned over It crashed near Poona, India, and both the crew were killed.
FH145 Harvard Mk.IIB     Canada RCAF ? 3/10/1944 LAC Douglas Maxwell Schneider 430866 Non Fatal 02/10/1946 Struck off charge
FS876 Harvard Mk.IIB     Canada RCAF 13 SFTS 4/12/1944 LAC MH Cassidy 431698

LAC Cassidy is buried at North Battleford, Saskatchewan, Canada

 ? 15/07/1943 Taken on charge,
04/12/1944 L.A.C. Cassidy had been doing some solo aerial sequences when at 1100 hours his Harvard struck the ground at a steep angle 2 miles southeast of Delmas Saskatchewan. A witness testified that he had seen the aircraft spinning completely four to five times before disappearing behind a ridgeline and crashing.
07/03/1945 Struck off charge following accident.
FT428 Harvard Mk.IIB     United Kingdom RAF ? 27/02/1945 FSGT RJ Birch 430922 Non Fatal  
FX433 Harvard Mk.IIB     United Kingdom RAF 7 AFU 8/06/1945 WOFF KN Doyle 423450 Fatal Little London
 
     

Page Author: Brendan Cowan.

Source: National Archives of Australia, British Military Aircraft Serials 1911-1979 (Page 205) - Bruce Robertson, Australian War Memorial, http://raf-112-squadron.org/112_photos_page_4.html , http://www.ody.ca/~bwalker/RCAF_AJ909_AJ959_detailed.html , http://www.airforce.gov.au/raafmuseum/exhibitions/b_scenes/air_store/harvard.htm , http://www.uswarplanes.net/at6.html , http://www.australianflying.com.au/news/raaf-point-cook-museum-wares-up-for-auction , http://www.cnapg.net/vwharvardnz1034.htm , http://rnzaf.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=Aussie&action=print&thread=11746 , http://www.warbirdregistry.org/texanregistry/texanregistry.html , http://hars.org.au/2010/11/harvard-arrives/ , AWM RAAF World War 2 Fatalities: RAAF WW2 fatalities compilation by Alan Storr , http://www.raafdb.com/ , http://www.bcar.org.uk/1945.html , http://chaa-recovery.ca/ , www.joebaugher.com ,

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Updated 25 November 2020
 

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