Harvard history 'Soaring High'
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If you’ve ever wanted to learn about the Harvard aircraft or its role in Canadian history, all you need do is drop by Annandale National Historic Site in Tillsonburg.
‘Soaring High’ is an exhibit by the Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association which began on Family Day weekend in February and runs until April 21, 2013.
“We’ve always wanted to have a museum, this was a chance to dust off the stuff and get it out for people to see,” said Shane Clayton, museum and archives committee chairman with the Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association. “We’re working on a future concept with a new hanger and museum included but for the moment this is a good way to get the word out that we have more than just airplanes out there.”
Residents and visitors to Annandale National Historic Site, will see an interesting and varied collection of items and artifacts about and related to the Harvard aircraft.
“We follow the history of the Harvard and the development of the Harvard itself, as well as technical items with the Harvard, uniforms, mechanical parts and miniature model Harvard’s as well,” he said.
Harvard planes were advanced training aircraft in Canada and used in the Royal Canadian Air force during World War II but were fitted with machine guns and practice bombs noted Clayton and just about every training aircraft used in Canada during the second World War was painted yellow for visibility and to signify that they were training airplanes.
“They were used post war, right up until 1965. They were common in the Canadian air force for over 20 years,” he said noting the Harvard’s distinguishing features.
“They had the long greenhouse canopy, the low wing, radio engine on the front and retractable landing gear,” added Clayton.
The exhibit boasts many interesting and educational pieces, photos and historical facts about the Harvard and its role in the Canadian Air force. Clayton encourages people of all ages to come out and learn about a piece of Canadian aviation history.
“It highlights the Harvard’s role in second World War history as well as the air force - in the 1950’s if you were in the air force, you got your wings on the Harvard, regardless if you were going fighter or bomber,” explained Clayton. “People that stayed home for the war, like the families and workers, they didn’t see the spitfires and hurricanes flying over England. They heard the Harvard’s flying around Ontario.”
Today, there are fewer than 50 Harvard’s flying in Canada. The Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association (CHAA) has many associated with them here in Oxford County and across parts of Ontario. Private owners of Harvard aircraft are located in Woodstock, Dunnville, Windsor and Oshawa, and several in Tillsonburg.
The exhibit at Annandale National Historic Site is something the entire family can enjoy and learn from.
“We have stuff here right from 1939 up until modern day, with the Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association,” Clayton concluded.
There are also hats, t-shirts and various souvenirs with the CHAA available for sale, which helps raise money for the association.
The CHAA has a number of Harvard fly days this year, beginning this spring. Fly Days in 2013 include: May11, June 8, July 27, August 24 and September 14, 2013. For more information on the Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association, visit www.harvards.com