'A Gathering of Harvards and Heroes' - June 2014

[rcaf_100]

Just wanted to get the word out about an event CHAA is hosting in June to honour the 75th Anniversary of the Harvard in Canadian service (the RCAF received its first Mk I's in July 1939)

It's called 'A Gathering of Harvards and Heroes' and will take place on June 20-22 at their our base of Tillsonburg Regional Airport (CYTB).



As the name implies, this three day event will feature a gathering of not only Harvard aircraft, but also the men and women who built, maintained, instructed in and trained on the Harvard during more than 25 years of Canadian service between 1939 and 1965.

Every airworthy Harvard across North America has been invited, and anywhere from 25-60 are estimated to attend.
(Note- the Canadian invitations have been sent out...the US invitations will be sent out soon as one of our members is taking them to the US to post them at half the cost)

Planned activities include flyovers of local ex-RCAF bases, a gala hangar banquet, and a mass celebration flypast.



We already have replies from quite a few owners, including WIX's Ollie (Harvard Mk 4) Charlie Cartledge (Harvard Mk 4/T-6J) and fleet16b (Fleet Finch) and already hopefully have one coming from British Columbia!

If you have a Harvard, Yale, or Texan and would like to attend, be sure to let us know!

We have been promised discounted fuel for attending warbirds from the airport, as well as discounted rates at local hotels.
Those aircrew that attend will get a 'goodie bag' with t-shirt, patch, etc as well as admission to the hangar banquet on the Saturday. (I hear it'll be a steak dinner)

The guest speaker for the banquet is Lieutenant-General A.M. De Quetteville, who trained on Harvards and Tutors, went on to fly Starfighters, was on the selection committee for the CF-18 Hornet (and actually delivered the first one to Ottawa...and flew in the back of same one to its retirement at Rockcliffe) and ended up as the Commander of Air Command (ie the RCAF). After retirement he went on to become the Vice President of Boeing (Canada).

We are also attempting to get some Harvard II's (CT-156) down from 2 CFFTS Moose Jaw and we have heard favourable rumours from Beechcraft about the T-6C demonstrator possibly attending.

More details at http://www.harvardsandheroes.com

- or on the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/gatheringofharvardsandheroes (you don't require a FB account to access it)

Last edited by rcaf_100 on Tue Jan 21, 2014 8:15 pm, edited 2 times in total.

[DH82EH]

I'm hoping to attend with the Tiger Moth. CF-MAD

Andy Scott

[Jeff H]

Added to the calendar. Hope to get there at least two days. Will the public be allowed on the Friday or is that just for invitees?

Jeff

[kalamazookid]

I'm hoping to make this one too. Might be tough for me given that it's the weekend after Hamilton. We'll see how things shake out. Would be pretty cool to see all those Harvards and all that yellow in one place!

Any chance of having some contemporary fighter aircraft along with the Harvards? Would be neat to see the Spit and Hurri from Vintage Wings to show the progression from the Harvard.

[rcaf_100]

Will the public be allowed on the Friday or is that just for invitees?

Yep, it's open to the public on all three days. Spectator admission is by donation.

Any chance of having some contemporary fighter aircraft along with the Harvards? Would be neat to see the Spit and Hurri from Vintage Wings to show the progression from the Harvard.

I agree! However it's basically a big themed fly-in (with an SFOC so we can do fly-bys) so there is no $$$ to specifically bring in fighters. That being said you never know who might show up.

[Fleet16b]

Unfortunately I dont think the VWC aircraft will be appearing at many shows this coming season.

Last edited by Fleet16b on Wed Jan 22, 2014 8:53 am, edited 1 time in total.

[Thomas_Mac]

Unfortunately I dont think there VWC aircraft will be appearing at many shows this coming season.

Curious if there could be some elaboration on this?

[Fleet16b]

Unfortunately I dont think there VWC aircraft will be appearing at many shows this coming season.

Curious if there could be some elaboration on this?

Not at this time , sorry

[rcaf_100]

Two 'probable' aircraft added to the Participants List: http://www.harvardsandheroes.com/partic ... -aircraft/

Andy Scott's DH-82A T5414 - CF-MAD


Trevor Skillen's Noorduyn-built Harvard Mk IIb 3318 - C-FSKL (painted as 3310)

[Dave Hadfield]

I don't want to hijack the thread, but regarding Vintage Wings of Canada, there have been a couple of changes.

The CEO has resigned due to personal reasons, and also because AC said his leave-of-absence was over and that he had to back to work as an Embraer Captain full time. The Board is actively headhunting a new CEO.

There is an administrative change within the outfit. Previously all the aircraft C of Rs were registered to Vintage Wings. It's been decided (for business reasons) to re-register them in the name of the owner or as per his direction. So, yes it looks like they have all been cancelled but in fact they will be back on the register within a week or two -- with the same ID letters on the fuselages.

So no worries! The Collection has not done an about-face!

As for the 2014 Plan, so far, until a new CEO takes up the job, there isn't a flying plan formally adopted yet. It's certain that at least the P-40 and P-51 will be flying, plus the Harvard and the Finch, but anything more depends on what requests are made by VWoC.

Plus the Spit IX wings are being built in the hangar, and work will start soon on assembling the Hurri XII. And it looks like we have a handle on how to get the Pegasus in the Swordfish running again.

In fact I've been told that any interesting plan, or idea, that falls in line with our mandate -- "Commemorate, Educate and Inspire" will be looked at. If there is a sensible business plan, and it fits into what we can do, heck, of course we'd consider it.

The more good stuff that happens at the CYND hangar, the better.

Dave

[Al Moore]

Thanks for the VWoC update Dave . Much appreciated.

[rcaf_100]

Thanks Dave!

So does this mean I have to re-send ROA's invitation to Mr Potter?

[Dave Hadfield]

It wouldn't hurt, Shane, a little later when the season gets going.

Dave

[rcaf_100]

Another 'probable' aircraft added to the Participants List: http://www.harvardsandheroes.com/partic ... -aircraft/

Alfred Beam's Harvard Mk II 2591 (C-FMTA)

[Ollie]

I should be there!