Czerwinski/Shenstone Harbinger

  • Period: Postwar (1945-1959)
  • Uses: Glider
  • First Flight: 1958
  • Display Status: In Reserve Hangar.

The Harbinger is a sailplane (glider) developed in Toronto in response to a 1947 design competition for a two-seat sailplane. Of the many designs submitted, the Harbinger was one of the few built. The first Harbinger was built and flown in England in 1958, which resulted in minor design changes. Construction of a Harbinger in Canada started in 1949 but this aircraft did not fly until 1975. Although well ahead of its time in 1947, by 1975 the Harbinger required further modification and development was discontinued.

The final assembly of the Harbinger began at Pendleton, Ontario in 1975. Altogether, over 30 flights were made, the longest being over three hours. The aircraft flew a total of 25 hours and 45 minutes.

Museum Example

  • Registration #: C-FZCS
  • Manufacturer: Home-built
  • Manufacture Date: 1975
  • Construction #: C1
  • Aquisition Date: 1977
  • Provenance: Donation from A.N. LeCheminant and R. Noonan

After passing through the hands of four sets of builders over 28 years, the Museum’s Harbinger flew satisfactorily between 1975 and 1977. The Harbinger was donated to the Museum in 1977.

Specifications

Wing Span:
18.3 m (60 ft)
Length:
7.2 m (23 ft 9 in)
Height:
1.85 m (6 ft)
Weight, Empty:
304 kg (670 lb)
Weight, Gross:
467 kg (1,030 lb)
Cruising Speed:
64 km/h (40 mph)
Max Speed:
209 km/h (130 mph)
Rate of Climb:
N/A
Service Ceiling:
1,646 m (5,400 ft)
Range:
N/A
Power Plant:
None