Interesting RCAF Harvard part find

Thu Nov 27, 2008 1:16 pm

Just came across this Harvard 4 baggage compartment floor. I was excited to see the period cloth document case attached to the back wall, but was even more surprised to find it was still full! For me, I would have expected the "crash instruction" to be mounted near the instrument panel in case I forgot how, but I guess the Canucks had a different idea.

Inside was the weight and balance sheets for Harvard "IV" RCAF 20274 and a wax sealed envelope:

The wax sealed envelope has the following instructions:

FORCED LANDIND INSTRUCTIONS
RCAF STN; PENHOLD ALTA
APRIL 20 1960

RCAF 20274 was taken on strength April 25, 1952 and struck off strength on June 8, 1965 after serving with 4 Flying Training School and sold by Crown Assets Disposal Corporation.

I'm guessing it was parted out. Anyone have more info on this aircraft (or photos)?

I wasn't planning to open the envelope. Does anyone know definitively what it contains?

Thu Nov 27, 2008 3:05 pm

oh for pete sakes!! open it!!! now that my curiosity is roused!! what's the plane in the line drawing?? looks like a marauder, but no way.

Thu Nov 27, 2008 3:32 pm

Where did you find it? I know someone who would possibly be interested in aquiring it..

Thu Nov 27, 2008 6:03 pm

Does it say something about bending over to kiss your a-- goodbye?
My guess is it would have a phone number and instructions to follow if the cadet was forced to land off of an airport.
Rich

Thu Nov 27, 2008 6:38 pm

James it probably has info on how to secure the aircraft etc. I have one for a tutor jet and it is instructions on how to secure the aircraft in a wheels up or wheels down landing and what to do about contacting the base etc.

Thu Nov 27, 2008 6:56 pm

20274 was reported sold to Chesapeake Airways Services Corp, Municipal Airport, Salisbury, MD. I don't have any more information. Anybody know anything about this company?

Fri Nov 28, 2008 2:08 am

Did they buy more than one? Maybe they collected them for resale as spares?

Fri Nov 28, 2008 2:17 am

Here's a couple of the VNY one:

& matching tug

Fri Nov 28, 2008 12:19 pm

Bill Walker wrote:20274 was reported sold to Chesapeake Airways Services Corp, Municipal Airport, Salisbury, MD. I don't have any more information. Anybody know anything about this company?

Chesapeake Airways was Sam Goldman's airline/company (it was one
of the earliest airlines in the US). Sam Goldman purchased hundreds
of surplus T-6s in the 1950s and had a great many of them stored in
an outside storage yard in the Northeast US from the mid 1950s through
the late 1970s. A good number of these airframes (including my
SNJ-5B) were used in the movie "Swing Shift" starring Goldie Hawn
and Curt Russel.

Bela P. Havasreti

Fri Nov 28, 2008 9:09 pm

Thanks Bela.

Sat Nov 29, 2008 1:52 pm

Sam Goldman's company still exists in Salisbury, MD, although Sam died about a year ago. It is a small parts supply business. Chesapeake Airways is now known as US Airways, by the way.

Cheers,
Richard

Sat Nov 29, 2008 9:42 pm

My grandfather served in Penhold during the time this is dated. After the base closed he became the Mayor of Penhold. If offered for sale I would be very interested!

Sun Nov 30, 2008 1:59 am

M MAKI wrote:My grandfather served in Penhold during the time this is dated. After the base closed he became the Mayor of Penhold. If offered for sale I would be very interested!

Not for sale, but send me an e-mail and I can make you a scan.

Still would like to know exactly what is inside the envelope.

Sun Nov 30, 2008 2:24 pm

James,
Just open it!! Failing that, talk to airport security and have it xrayed!

Sun Nov 30, 2008 2:27 pm

tom d. friedman wrote:oh for pete sakes!! open it!!! now that my curiosity is roused!! what's the plane in the line drawing?? looks like a marauder, but no way.

Looks Like a Marauder to me too