Harvard colour schemes, 1941

[Dave Homewood]

I had always thought that the silver with yellow stripes colour scheme seen on Harvards in preservation (such as the SVAS NZ1033 and the ill-fated NZ1025) was a postwar scheme. I mean they did wear that scheme postwar, as did Tiger Moths and Devons, etc.

But in an article in a NZ Wings magazine I got recently which details the Harvard's long career in NZ (written as they were retiring in 1977) it states that the first 20 that arrived in 1941 came with a silver colour scheme and yellow stripes on the wings.

Was it the exact same style of paintjob as seen after the war? I've seen wartime Harvards painted that colour in canada but never knew we had that scheme here as early as 1941.

Is the article right? Anyone able to confirm or dispute it? Were NZ1025 and 1033 actually in WWII schemes?

[phasselgren]

In RNZAF the First Decade 1937-46 by Charles Darby I could only find following paint schemes:

With training units
Before the invasion threat:
High gloss yellow with black anti-glare panels (including the first 12 according to book)
During the invasion threat:
Dark green/dark earth upper and sky lower, leaving yellow panels on the wings and fuselage
After the invasion threat:
Matt yellow with black anti-glare panels

With combat units
Dark green/Pacif blue upper and sky or light grey lower

There is also photo without date of a Harvard from Fighter Gunnery School at Ardmore in natural metal with green anti-glare panel

[Dave Homewood]

Yes, those schemes are the ones i was aware of. It seems if the original handful did come in silver and yellow it has become an obscure fact.