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...
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