North American Harvard II (3840)

  • Period: Second World War (1939-1945)
  • Uses: Trainer
  • First Flight: 1940 (AT-6)
  • Display Status: On loan to the Atlantic Canada Aviation Museum

One of the best advanced training air craft ever built, the Harvard became a mainstay of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan. Harvard IIBs were first ordered from Noorduyn in Montreal in January 1940. Noorduyn eventually built 2 800 harvards for the RAF and RCAF. Canadian Car and Foundry made 550 Mk.4s for Canada and the United States in the 1950s. The Mk.4 had an improved cockpit canopy and greater fuel capacity.

The Harvard must be considered one of the outstanding aircraft of Second World War and the early postwar years. From 1940 to 1955, nearly all American and British Commonwealth pilots received some training on Harvards. Strong yet unforgiving, requiring a delicate touch to keep straight during landing and take-off, it was an ideal training airplane. Canada built more Harvards than any other aircraft, with a total of 3 350 produced. In anticipation of a possible aluminium shortage, a wooden rear-fuselage and set of wings were developed and built, but not produced. Gunnery trainer and target tow versions were also developed but never produced. Skis were produced but never installed because a strengthened undercarriage was required.

Museum Example

  • Registration #: 3840 (RCAF)
  • Manufacturer: North American Aviation Inc., United States
  • Manufacture Date: 1941
  • Construction #: 81-4107
  • Aquisition Date: 1961
  • Provenance: Transfer from RCAF

The Museum aircraft was manufactured in the United States in 1941 and delivered to the RCAF. After flying service and use as an instructional airframe, the aircraft was donated to the Museum in 1961. It was mounted for outdoor display from 1972 until 1983 at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa.

Specifications

Wing Span:
12.8 m (42 ft 1/2 in)
Length:
8.8 m (28 ft 11 in)
Height:
3.5 m (11 ft 8 1/2 in)
Weight, Empty:
1,812 kg (3,995 lb)
Weight, Gross:
2,375 kg (5,235 lb)
Cruising Speed:
225 km/h (140 mph)
Max Speed:
290 km/h (180 mph)
Rate of Climb:
396 m (1,300 ft) /min
Service Ceiling:
6,710 m (22,000 ft)
Range:
1,143 km (710 mi)
Power Plant:
one Pratt & Whitney R-1340-AN-1 Wasp, 600 hp, radial engine