CHAA Yale 3399 Return to Flight - SHE FLIES AGAIN! 8/17/2013

[rcaf_100]

Hi folks, I'm kinda new here, but I figured I'd better share this with you.

After 20+ years of restoration, the Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association's Yale 3399 will be returning to flight shortly.

A temporary permit to fly was issued in mid-April, however several engine/prop related issues have delayed taxi tests and the eventual flying.

Here's some pics to look over:

Line up at No. 1 SFTS Camp Borden circa late 1940, 3399 in the middle


Yale line at Ernie Simmons auction, 3399 again in the middle


3399 undergoing maintenance at Tillsonburg yesterday (that's Tiger Moth 5030 C-GCOE in the background as well as the wings of Harvard II 3191 C-FMTX)


3399 is registered C-GLJH in houour of W/C Lou J Hill, who led the restoration project of the Yale for quite a few years. Lou was known for co-forming the first RCAF Harvard aerobatic team at Centralia in 1947, as well as being the leader of the RCAF Silver Stars T-33 team in the early-mid fifties and later commanding No 1 OTU at Chatham, NB, and 441 Squadron in France on Sabres. He passed away in 2001.

Anyway, let me know if you guys wish to know anything else.

And I'll be sure to post more photos when something develops.

Shane

Last edited by rcaf_100 on Sun Aug 18, 2013 12:55 am, edited 3 times in total.

[AIRIC]

That is great news. Can't wait to see it in the air.

Eric

[Hal B]

Pretty cool! Hope it gets to fly soon.

[Glen]

Thanks for the cool post ..............and Welcome !!

[rcaf_100]

Well, it's about time for an update. Over the summer we've put the correct components in the prop hub and fixed (hopefully) all the remaining glitches.

Out in the sun at CHAA's September flyday:


The old girl was all ready to go by the end of September, but then Murphy's law set in.

First it was the key people who will be handling the test flying were not available for a couple weeks (one is a cropduster, and he was just finishing up the season).

Then the airport closed down for a week or so so the main runway could be extended from 4000' to 5500' (nice for us in the future, but at the moment it was a pain in the butt)

So finally, 3399 is ready to go. She was successfully run up over the last couple weeks and the taxi tests were done. (unfortunately I wasn't around for these )

The big news is that the flight testing is about to commence!

It would have taken place yesterday (Monday) - I'm glad it didn't - since the test pilot came down with the flu. They will try again, if he's feeling better, on Thurdsay or Friday.
I'm really hoping for Thursday since I have to leave on Friday to go to Sault Ste. Marie...

When it happens, you can guess where there'll be some pics posted...

Cross your fingers everyone!

[Dave Hadfield]

Good news! Way to go, and good luck!

And you know what, on the test flight, just leave the gear down.

Dave

[rcaf_100]

Another update. Larry, our test pilot, is still sick (AFAIK), so the old girl hasn't flown yet.

I've left a note on the side of the plane saying 'Call me before flying', so there's no way I can miss the first flight now!

And you know what, on the test flight, just leave the gear down.

I'll remember to tell them that.

[Airplanejunkie]

And you know what, on the test flight, just leave the gear down.

Dave

I'm guessing that's to minimize the turnaround time for the second flight?

(Not to mention avoiding all that paperwork......)

[Dave Hadfield]

Well, it would waste so much time trying to get the gear up...

You have a Wright in that? An R-970?

Hey, I had a good chat with Bob Spence a few weeks ago at Edenvale. He gave us the story of seeing the Yales, and buying the Swordfish(es) from Ernie Simmon's farm. Folklore!

Have fun!

Dave

[rcaf_100]

She still hasn't flown. Since the weather's supposed to be bad for the rest of this week, I'm thinking next week maybe.

You have a Wright in that? An R-970?

Of course! It's an R-975-E3. Wouldn't be a Yale without one.

an NA-64 with a Wasp Jr installed ain't a Yale...it's a freak

Hey, I had a good chat with Bob Spence a few weeks ago at Edenvale. He gave us the story of seeing the Yales, and buying the Swordfish(es) from Ernie Simmon's farm. Folklore!

Don't you just love stories like that? I'll bet most of us on WIX would have loved to have been at that sale!

[rcaf_100]

Today at 1140 EDT Yale 3399 C-GLJH took to the air for the first time since 1946!

She had a 10 minute test flight, and all went well except for an unusually high oil temperature. The snag list is relatively short, and hopefully more test flights will be forthcoming.

I don't want to post too many pics as the first public flight is not until June 26th.
I figured you folks would just like a heads up, though.

[warbird_patrick]

Great News!!!!!!

[AirJimL2]

Wonderful to see it in the air...finally!

[peter]

Excellent news and terrific pictures as well! Well done to everyone who made this happen!!

[warbird1]

Wow, I hope he yanks real hard on that stick to clear the tress! Yikes! j/k

Congrats to all involved, another beaut in the air.