Time Capsule Harvard 20304 - Delivered to CHAA
Sat Dec 05, 2009 5:06 pm
Hi folks,
Just got back from Tillsonburg after transporting the fuselage of Harvard Mk 4 20304 to CHAA. This Harvard was recently donated and will be restored over the next 4 years (hopefully).
This is a 'virgin Harvard' as some have called it, as it has never been flown as a civil aircraft. It was retired from RCAF service in 1964-65 and sold off at Dunnville, Ontario, minus engine. A gentleman in nearby Wainfleet purchased it and stored it in his barn (for 40 odd years) with the intention of flying it in connection with the Air Cadets. An engine was purchased for the plane and that was stored as well. Unfortunately, the restoration never happened before he passed away.
Following the gentleman's death, the Harvard was sold to Greg Tyrell, a former CHAA president, and it was his wish to restore the plane to honour the first owner and his connection with the Air Cadets as well as Greg's father, who served in the RCAF. Once the restoration was finished, the plane was to be donated to CHAA. Sadly, one year ago, Greg lost his battle with cancer. The trustees of the estate chose to donate the aircraft to CHAA to be restored, and we would fly it as originally intended, in memory of Greg as well. The engine, prop, and instruments have already been overhauled, so it is just the airframe that needs to be restored.
The plane needed to be transported from York Airport (near Hamilton) where it had been stored to Tillsonburg for the restoration to begin, and it had to be done before the roads get plastered with salt for obvious reasons. This is where I came in. I offered the use of the 'Yale trailer' that I brought 3390 home from Ohio on (see here: viewtopic.php?t=32600 ).
Now here's the pictures:
Getting ready to pull her out of the hangar. The wings will be left here until we have room for them in T-burg.
My Dad trying to get the tailwheel turned around...
Cowling and stabilizers.
Ready to load...
Funny how the angles match up to make her sit level (for the moment)...
We had a little hydraulic trouble...but it turned out OK.
The small yellow panel all by itself was removed about a 1/2 mile down the road...all that was holding it on was one Dzus!
Also, notice the 95 on the wing stub- it's the construction number, as in CCF4-95, the 95th Harvard Mk 4 built.
Ready to go!
Stopping for Timmies in Hagersville...the parking lot was full so I couldn't get a shot of the plane in front...sorry...
I took a shot like this with the Yale, so I couldn't resist...
I think this was kinda neat...
Arriving at Tillsonburg. Quite a crowd greeted us.
Off the trailer.
In the hangar next to the other restoration project...that is put on hold now...
Baggage compartment contents...WOW!
Immaculate vertical stab... I think we're going to get another fin and save this one to put in an eventual display.
Other faded side.
How often do you see a Harvard flying in December in Ontario?
There will be video to follow and if there is a request for more pics, I can post some tomorrow as well.
I'm off to a Christmas dinner now...
Just got back from Tillsonburg after transporting the fuselage of Harvard Mk 4 20304 to CHAA. This Harvard was recently donated and will be restored over the next 4 years (hopefully).
This is a 'virgin Harvard' as some have called it, as it has never been flown as a civil aircraft. It was retired from RCAF service in 1964-65 and sold off at Dunnville, Ontario, minus engine. A gentleman in nearby Wainfleet purchased it and stored it in his barn (for 40 odd years) with the intention of flying it in connection with the Air Cadets. An engine was purchased for the plane and that was stored as well. Unfortunately, the restoration never happened before he passed away.
Following the gentleman's death, the Harvard was sold to Greg Tyrell, a former CHAA president, and it was his wish to restore the plane to honour the first owner and his connection with the Air Cadets as well as Greg's father, who served in the RCAF. Once the restoration was finished, the plane was to be donated to CHAA. Sadly, one year ago, Greg lost his battle with cancer. The trustees of the estate chose to donate the aircraft to CHAA to be restored, and we would fly it as originally intended, in memory of Greg as well. The engine, prop, and instruments have already been overhauled, so it is just the airframe that needs to be restored.
The plane needed to be transported from York Airport (near Hamilton) where it had been stored to Tillsonburg for the restoration to begin, and it had to be done before the roads get plastered with salt for obvious reasons. This is where I came in. I offered the use of the 'Yale trailer' that I brought 3390 home from Ohio on (see here: viewtopic.php?t=32600 ).
Now here's the pictures:
Getting ready to pull her out of the hangar. The wings will be left here until we have room for them in T-burg.
My Dad trying to get the tailwheel turned around...
Cowling and stabilizers.
Ready to load...
Funny how the angles match up to make her sit level (for the moment)...
We had a little hydraulic trouble...but it turned out OK.
The small yellow panel all by itself was removed about a 1/2 mile down the road...all that was holding it on was one Dzus!
Also, notice the 95 on the wing stub- it's the construction number, as in CCF4-95, the 95th Harvard Mk 4 built.
Ready to go!
Stopping for Timmies in Hagersville...the parking lot was full so I couldn't get a shot of the plane in front...sorry...
I took a shot like this with the Yale, so I couldn't resist...
I think this was kinda neat...
Arriving at Tillsonburg. Quite a crowd greeted us.
Off the trailer.
In the hangar next to the other restoration project...that is put on hold now...
Baggage compartment contents...WOW!
Immaculate vertical stab... I think we're going to get another fin and save this one to put in an eventual display.
Other faded side.
How often do you see a Harvard flying in December in Ontario?
There will be video to follow and if there is a request for more pics, I can post some tomorrow as well.
I'm off to a Christmas dinner now...
Last edited by rcaf_100 on Tue Jan 05, 2010 9:13 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Time Capsule Harvard 20304 - Delivered to CHAA
Sat Dec 05, 2009 5:21 pm
Nice! So, just what is IN the CRASH INSTRUCTIONS? Bend over and kiss your ..............or does it contain a nickel to call your airfield to get a lift home?
Re: Time Capsule Harvard 20304 - Delivered to CHAA
Sat Dec 05, 2009 5:24 pm
Awesome job man. That is so cool. I can't wait to see follow up posts on this aircraft.
Re: Time Capsule Harvard 20304 - Delivered to CHAA
Sat Dec 05, 2009 5:49 pm
That is awesome that aircraft like this are still around. Hope the "nickname" finds its way onto the finished aircraft somewhere. 
Re: Time Capsule Harvard 20304 - Delivered to CHAA
Sat Dec 05, 2009 9:39 pm
I hope you guys go with the existing scheme! The dayglo is unique, not many around with it.
Good luck!
Good luck!
Re: Time Capsule Harvard 20304 - Delivered to CHAA
Sat Dec 05, 2009 10:54 pm
Great to see the Harvard going to a great home! That will be a nice addition to the CHAA Harvards.
Re: Time Capsule Harvard 20304 - Delivered to CHAA
Sat Dec 05, 2009 11:08 pm
Back in the 80s a MK4 was restored at Chino.
It had been flown to Chino in the early 60s and parked in a hangar rarely seeing the light of day and never flown.
Pacific Fighters did the restoration and IIRC it won Grand Champion at Oshkosh.
Every item was repainted the same color originally painted after disassembly and insp.
The time capsule A/C are so cool.
Hope this goes well for you.
Rich
It had been flown to Chino in the early 60s and parked in a hangar rarely seeing the light of day and never flown.
Pacific Fighters did the restoration and IIRC it won Grand Champion at Oshkosh.
Every item was repainted the same color originally painted after disassembly and insp.
The time capsule A/C are so cool.
Hope this goes well for you.
Rich
Re: Time Capsule Harvard 20304 - Delivered to CHAA
Sat Dec 05, 2009 11:11 pm
Being a long time fan of the Harvard its amazing how they(and other types) still crop up from time to time after many years hidden away. Makes the restoration in progress look even more shiny and new. Good luck returning her to the air! (Can never be too many Harvards/T6 in the air!!) 
Re: Time Capsule Harvard 20304 - Delivered to CHAA
Sat Dec 05, 2009 11:55 pm
Not sure. There was nothing in the pouch. I'm guessing written instructions on what to do after you crash so you don't die of exposure...Holedigger wrote:Nice! So, just what is IN the CRASH INSTRUCTIONS? Bend over and kiss your ..............or does it contain a nickel to call your airfield to get a lift home?
Yes, it will be refinished in the dayglo scheme. (from what I've been told) Hopefully we can paint 'Bessy' (20321 CF-UFZ) around the same time in the dayglo as she had it as well.m charters wrote:I hope you guys go with the existing scheme! The dayglo is unique, not many around with it.
Good luck!
In the next little while I'm going to make an effort to be around as much as possible during the disassembly process so everything is documented. Hopefully this will not only help return 304 back to stock condition, but be a reference to other Mk 4 restorations as well if needed.
I will upload a video in the next day or so.
Re: Time Capsule Harvard 20304 - Delivered to CHAA
Sun Dec 06, 2009 12:11 am
Great score !! So just how many Harvard are left and how many are in airworthy condition ? There is one out at the Langley airport at the museum of flight that apparently offers rides for donations ( i hope i phrased that correctly) from time to time. Gotta get out there sometime soon again and see how the Handley-page Hampton has survived. For those who don't know, the Hampton was badly damaged last year in the heavy snow we had over Christmas. Any info Davey Mac ??
Re: Time Capsule Harvard 20304 - Delivered to CHAA
Sun Dec 06, 2009 3:00 am
That is just too cool! Love the dayglo markings, and I like your idea to preserve the original vertical fin.
I wonder just how many long-term "labor of love" restorations are out there..aircraft purchased cheap years ago and quietly tinkered with over years by solitary individuals. It's also worrisome what will happen to these aircraft once the owners shuffle off this mortal coil. There was a gentleman here in Michigan who was building up a P-39 from several wrecks recovered from the Pacific. I believe he has since passed away..anyone know what will become of the Airacobra project? I heard the same gentleman also had an orinigal Curtiss P-6 fuselage.
SN
I wonder just how many long-term "labor of love" restorations are out there..aircraft purchased cheap years ago and quietly tinkered with over years by solitary individuals. It's also worrisome what will happen to these aircraft once the owners shuffle off this mortal coil. There was a gentleman here in Michigan who was building up a P-39 from several wrecks recovered from the Pacific. I believe he has since passed away..anyone know what will become of the Airacobra project? I heard the same gentleman also had an orinigal Curtiss P-6 fuselage.
SN
Re: Time Capsule Harvard 20304 - Delivered to CHAA
Sun Dec 06, 2009 7:23 am
I'm SO jealous! Love it! Any cockpit shots?
Love it! Any cockpit shots?
Re: Time Capsule Harvard 20304 - Delivered to CHAA
Mon Dec 07, 2009 4:14 pm
Something I forgot to mention earlier is that when the plane was removed from it's barn a few years ago, there were still southern Ontario charts in the map cases and spare bulbs in the spare bulb cases among other things. When we moved it on Saturday it still had the original intercoms laying inside on top of the original RCAF seat cushions.
Front cockpit - the instruments were removed by Greg just after he purchased the plane and have all been refurbished
Rear cockpit
And here's evidence of the little critters that were crawling over the plane (or in this case a big critter...a raccoon)
We get a chuckle when we leave 'Bessy' (20321-UFZ) and 'Willie' (20436-WLH) in the same hangar and expect to find baby Harvards taxiing around in the morning...
Are these OK?Fouga23 wrote:Any cockpit shots?
Front cockpit - the instruments were removed by Greg just after he purchased the plane and have all been refurbished
Rear cockpit
And here's evidence of the little critters that were crawling over the plane (or in this case a big critter...a raccoon)
I think that may be the unofficial nickname among the pilots, but actually having it painted on the plane would cause quite a ruckus for those 'not in the know'!Warbird Kid wrote:Hope the "nickname" finds its way onto the finished aircraft somewhere.
We get a chuckle when we leave 'Bessy' (20321-UFZ) and 'Willie' (20436-WLH) in the same hangar and expect to find baby Harvards taxiing around in the morning...
Re: Time Capsule Harvard 20304 - Delivered to CHAA
Mon Dec 07, 2009 4:49 pm
Congrats! It's great to see that finds like this one are still out there....
Who knows how many more Harvard, T-6 and SNJ aircraft like this
are stored in barns and hangars throughout the world....
Bela P. Havasreti
Who knows how many more Harvard, T-6 and SNJ aircraft like this
are stored in barns and hangars throughout the world....
Bela P. Havasreti
Re: Time Capsule Harvard 20304 - Delivered to CHAA
Mon Dec 07, 2009 5:13 pm
rcaf_100 wrote:We get a chuckle when we leave 'Bessy' (20321-UFZ) and 'Willie' (20436-WLH) in the same hangar and expect to find baby Harvards taxiing around in the morning...
So Shane does this mean there is no truth to the rumor that this is the offspring of Bessy and WLH?
Jim