Harvard 80th Anniversary Ardmore Forum Meet!!

[Dave Homewood]

I am pleased to announce that in association with New Zealand Warbirds Association, we will be holding a special day at Ardmore Airport on Sunday the 25th of April 2021. The purpose is to mark the 80th Anniversary to the very day of the first flight in New Zealand of a North American Harvard trainer.

NZ901, the RNZAF's first Harvard, was test flown on the 25th of April 1941 at RNZAF Station Hobsonville, starting a continuous legacy for New Zealand aviation. The Harvard brought the RNZAF training system into the modern era at the time, with the type replacing the open cockpit, fixed undercarriage biplanes that had been used for advanced flying training previously. The US-built trainer was adopted by No's 1, 2 and 3 Service Flying Training Schools, and the Central Flying School. And the Harvard also became important in the home based Fighter squadrons, and in the Fighter Operational Training Units. They also supplemented or replaced the Hinds and Vincents in the Army Co-operation Squadrons, and it was used in the communications role with the likes of No. 42 Squadron. Postwar the Harvard stayed on as a pilot trainer and also a Forward Air Controller right up till the 1970's.

When the last of the RNZAF Harvards retired they were sold off in 1978 to civilian interests and several formed the nucleus of New Zealand Warbirds Association, and the whole warbirds movement in New Zealand. Harvards are regularly seen at airshows and other events around New Zealand, and these days there are Harvards based at and flying from Ardmore, Tauranga, Gisborne, Ohakea, Paraparaumu, and Omaka, with more being restored. Harvard NZ1044 will soon return to the sky and be based at Masterton, where the first fighter squadron Harvards were based with No's 488 and 14 Squadrons.

To celebrate the significant anniversary of the first flight of this very significant aeroplane type in New Zealand, we are planning a WONZ Forum Meet at Ardmore. This will be on ANZAC Day so the Harvards and other warbirds will be in action in the morning, taking off to do a flypast of the Auckland War Memorial Cenotaph. We can watch their departure and their return.

And we will have guest speakers from among the various Harvard pilots, who will talk a little about the Harvard, and also about other interesting warbirds and aviation topics. This is being supported by a number of Harvard and warbird owners and pilots, and there's hope that we may even have RNZAF participation since the Harvard was so significant to the Air Force. I will post more details as they are confirmed, but right now please save the date, for a very special ANZAC Day event.

Sunday 25th of April 2021
Start probably around 10.00am (TBC)
Guest Speakers
Harvards ANZAC Flypast Ops
Probably a Raffle too!

TICKETS
Tickets to this event will be $20 per person, with the proceeds going to the NZ Warbirds at Ardmore Museum.

If you are planning to come along to this event, you need to pre-register by emailing me now to go onto the door list. Contact me at [e-mail]

We will take the $20 from you as you arrive at the door.

PROGRAMME

10.00am The general audience will be let into NZ Warbirds Hangar 1 (this is the WWI hangar, on the flightline). People can watch the Warbirds depart for their 11.00am flypast over the city, and take the time to mix and mingle, look at aeroplanes and exhibits.

During this time Nick Sheehan will give a talk with his Harvard project, NZ1068, and let people have a look over it.

11.30am By this time the flypast warbirds should be arriving back. When the noise dies away we will kick off with the first speaker:

Gavin Trethewey flew Harvards in the RNZAF, and has flown Harvards with the Roaring 40's team over the years, and in more recent times he performs a beautiful Harvard solo routine in NZ1092 (ZK-WAR) at numerous airshows. He is one of New Zealand's most experienced Harvard pilots, if not the most experienced. Gavin will also speak about the current NZ Warbirds project to restore the English Electric Canberra bomber, which he is team leader on. Gavin flew Canberras in the RNZAF and was also the Canberra solo display pilot.

12.15pm Approximately We will break for lunch, and head across to the Warbirds Clubrooms for the sausage sizzle bbq. There will also be a food cart outside the hangar from 10.00am till 12.00pm if you need a snack or a coffee.

1.15pm the next speaker:
John 'JK' Kelly will also be one of the guest speakers! John flies Harvard NZ1053 in the Roaring Forties in Number 4 position. He is NZ Warbirds Vice-President, and he is very involved in running the NZ Warbirds @ Ardmore Museum, and the Warbirds Open Day events. JK will talk about civil Harvard training, rides and the planned Harvard and Auckland circa WW2 displays in the hangar.

2.00pm the next speaker 
Frank Parker will also be one of the guest speakers! Frank flew Harvards in the RNZAF, and was an instructor. He led the Roaring 40's team for many years, and he is the New Zealand Warbirds Association President. Frank will also speak about a NZ Warbirds topic, most likely their collection of WWI aeroplanes.

2.45pm the next speaker
S/L Mike Williams of the RNZAF Historic Flight will be giving a talk about his forced landing in Harvard NZ1015. That will be very interesting.

3.15pm the last speaker
Keith Skilling will be one of the guest speakers! Keith flew Harvards in the RNZAF, and he led the Roaring 40's team for several years. He is also a past-owner of a Harvard. He will speak about his experience with Harvards, and he'll also give a talk on flying warbirds with the Breitling Fighters team. 

Finish time is projected to be around or just after 4.00pm.

[Mustang51]

What a great idea.............

[tbf2504]

This will be a fine tribute to "The Pilot Maker" that has served New Zealand well since that first day in 1941

[Dave Homewood]

First Speaker Announcement!
Keith Skilling will be one of the guest speakers! Keith flew Harvards in the RNZAF, and he led the Roaring 40's team for several years. He is also a past-owner of a Harvard. He will speak about his experience with Harvards, and he'll also give a talk on flying warbirds with the Breitling Fighters team.

[Dave Homewood]

Edit 2: Second Speaker Announcement!
Gavin Trethewey will also be one of the guest speakers! Gavin flew Harvards in the RNZAF, and has flown Harvards with the Roaring 40's team over the years, and in more recent times he performs a beautiful Harvard solo routine in NZ1092 (ZK-WAR) at numerous airshows. He is one of New Zealand's most experienced Harvard pilots, if not the most experienced. Gavin will also speak about the current NZ Warbirds project to restore the English Electric Canberra bomber, which he is team leader on. Gavin flew Canberras in the RNZAF and was also the Canberra solo display pilot.

[Dave Homewood]

Third Speaker Announcement!
Frank Parker will also be one of the guest speakers! Frank flew Harvards in the RNZAF, and was an instructor. He led the Roaring 40's team for many years, and he is the New Zealand Warbirds Association President. Frank will also speak about a NZ Warbirds topic, most likely their collection of WWI aeroplanes.

[Dave Homewood]

Tickets to this event will be $20 per person, with the proceeds going to the NZ Warbirds at Ardmore Museum.

If you are planning to come along to this event, you need to pre-register by emailing me now to go onto the door list. Contact me at [e-mail]

We will take the $20 from you as you arrive at the door.

[planewriting]

When Dave Homewood announced the ANZAC Day 2021 forum meeting celebrating the fondly-remembered Harvard aircraft of which the RNZAF had 202 examples, I thought it would be good to, on the day, have as a near a complete (excluding owners’ names) list as possible, of the survivors.

Obviously with 202 examples spanning 80 years there are going to be portions of airframes out there which may be sources of spare parts etc. I am purposely not extending this exercise to such things.

Rather than leave publishing a list on ANZAC Day, I decided to start a list now so that readers can give thought to contributing updates and corrections so that, come the day, there is the possibility we can have a very accurate list. Information sources include: ADF Serials, WONZ, Wings Directories, the CAA Register, AHSNZ articles and members (in particular Les Billcliff and Phil Treweek) and my own personal observations and other reliable media sources.

Don’t hesitate to add your comments, but please, for privacy reasons, DO NOT include any owner’s name. If possible though, please provide a source of your contribution. Thanks.

EX RNZAF IN NEW ZEALAND

North American Harvard 2 NZ906, c/n 66-2699. (Blenheim, Fairhall).
North American Harvard 2 NZ909, c/n 66-2702. (Auckland, Ardmore).
North American Harvard 2 NZ918/INST135, c/n 66-2711. (Mangatainoka).
North American Harvard 2 NZ944/INST153, c/n 66-2757. (Auckland, MOTAT).
North American Harvard 2 NZ946/INST144, c/n 66-2759. (Blenheim, Fairhall).
North American Harvard 2 NZ977, ZK-XII, c/n 76-3834. (Auckland, Ardmore).
North American Harvard 2A* NZ1009/INST211, c/n 88-9266. (Ohakea).
North American Harvard 2A* NZ1012, c/n 88-9269. (Ashburton).
North American Harvard 2A* NZ1015, ZK-RNZ, c/n 88-9272. (Ohakea).
North American Harvard 2A* NZ1033, ZK-SGQ, c/n 88-12032. (Masterton).
North American Harvard 2A* NZ1037, ZK-ENA, c/n 88-12036. (Ohakea).
North American Harvard 2A* NZ1041, c/n 88-13190. (Blenheim, Omaka).
North American Harvard 2A* NZ1044, c/n 88-13193. (Wanaka).
North American Harvard 2A* NZ1050/INST207, c/n 88-13907. (Christchurch, Wigram).
North American Harvard 2A* NZ1052, ZK-MJN, c/n 88-13909. (Auckland, Ardmore).
North American Harvard 2A* NZ1053, ZK-JJA, c/n 88-13910. (Auckland, Ardmore).
North American Harvard 2A* NZ1057, ZK-TVI, c/n 88-14178. (Auckland, Ardmore).
North American Harvard 3 NZ1058, c/n 88-14491. (Ferrymead, Christchurch).
North American Harvard 3 NZ1065, ZK-ENF, c/n 88-14889. (Auckland, Ardmore).
North American Harvard 3 NZ1066, ZK-ENE, c/n 88-14672. (Mt Maunganui / Gisborne).
North American Harvard 3 NZ1068, c/n 88-14674. (Auckland, Ardmore).
North American Harvard 3 NZ1076, ZK-ENB, c/n 88-15871. (Feilding).
North American Harvard 3 NZ1077/INST174, c/n 88-15872. (Queenstown).
North American Harvard 3 NZ1078, ZK-ENG, c/n 88-15873. (Auckland, Ardmore).
North American Harvard 3 NZ1082/INST175, ZK-ENN & ZK-USM, c/n 88-16143. (Auckland, North Shore).
North American Harvard 3 NZ1083/INST212, c/n 88-16144. (Ohakea).
North American Harvard 3 NZ1087/INST213, c/n 88-16326. (Christchurch, Wigram).
North American Harvard 3 NZ1089/INST177, c/n 88-16328. (Egmont Village).
North American Harvard 3 NZ1091, ZK-ENC, c/n 88-16505. (Mt Maunganui).
North American Harvard 3 NZ1092, ZK-WAR, c/n 88-16506. (Auckland, Ardmore).
North American Harvard 3 NZ1096, ZK-END, c/n 88-17004. (Paraparaumu).
North American Harvard 3 NZ1098, ZK-ENJ, c/n 88-17010. (Auckland, Ardmore).
North American Harvard 2B NZ1100, c/n 14A-2103. (Auckland, Ardmore).
North American Harvard 2B NZ1102/INST138, c/n 14A-2110. (Auckland, Ardmore).

EX RNZAF IN AUSTRALIA

North American Harvard 2A* NZ1006, c/n 88-9263 (Australia).
North American Harvard 2A* NZ1007, c/n 88-9264 (Australia).
North American Harvard 2A* NZ1023, VH-CRC, c/n 88-10252 (Australia).
North American Harvard 2A* NZ1024, VH-XNZ, c/n 88-10253 (Australia).
North American Harvard 2A* NZ1034, c/n 88-12033 (Australia).
North American Harvard 2A* NZ1038, VH-AYO, c/n 88-13187 (Australia).
North American Harvard 2A* NZ1040, VH-XXH, c/n 88-13189 (Australia).
North American Harvard 2A* NZ1051, VH-NZH, c/n 88-13908 (Australia).
North American Harvard 2A* NZ1056, ZK-ENL, VH-NAH, c/n 88-14177 (Australia).
North American Harvard 3 NZ1060, VH-SFY, c/n 88-14493 (Australia).
North American Harvard 3 NZ1061, VH-PEM, c/n 88-14494 (Australia).
North American Harvard 3 NZ1075, ZK-ENI, VH-HVD, c/n 88-15870 (Australia).
North American Harvard 3 NZ1085, ZK-ENM, VH-SNJ, c/n 88-16324 (Australia).
North American Harvard 3 NZ1086/INST176, c/n 88-16325 (Australia).
North American Harvard 3 NZ1090/INST178, VH-VFM, c/n 88-16504 (Australia).
North American Harvard 3 NZ1099, ZK-ENK, VH-NZX c/n 88-17011 (Australia).
North American Harvard 2B NZ1101, c/n 14A-2107. (Australia).

EX RNZAF IN U.S.A.

North American Harvard 3 NZ1079, N111PB, N101NZ, c/n 88-15367 or 88-15611 (USA).

UNCERTAIN
North American Harvard 2A* NZ1069, c/n 88-14675 (Stored NZ, broken up or in Australia?).

IMPORTS – NOT RNZAF Aircraft

North American Harvard 3 ZK-XSA, c/n 78-6647. (Blenheim, Omaka).

MASQUERADE
North American AT-6D VH-TOA painted as “NZ1014”. This aircraft was not the RNZAF’s NZ1014


UNCERTAIN FATES AS PER ADF SERIALS

North American Harvard 2 NZ954, INST142, c/n 66-2767. Sold by GSB tender 6631/57.

North American Harvard 2 NZ982, c/n 76-3839. Used as instructional airframe at Woodbourne but no INST serial recorded apart from INST948. Transferred to Ohakea as INST143 with No. 2 TAF Squadron 31 August 1950. Converted to "hydraulic mock up" at Ohakea 21 May 1953. Disposal details not known.

North American Harvard 2 NZ995/INST60, c/n 76-3852. Converted to INST60 with ATC Mobile Training Unit 09 February 1944. Later transferred to Wigram. No further details known.

North American Harvard 2A* NZ1016, c/n 88-9273. To storage at Wigram July 1962. Declared surplus and disposed of through GSB tender 26 October 1962. No further details known.

North American Harvard 2A* NZ1018, c/n 88-??. To storage at Wigram July 1962. Declared surplus and disposed of through GSB tender 26 October 1962. No further details known.

North American Harvard 2A* NZ1022, INST80, c/n 88-10251. Collided with tractor while taxiing at Mangere on 15 September 1943 and converted to INST80 at Nelson 11 October 1943.
No further details known.

North American Harvard 2A* NZ1027, c/n 88-10256. To storage at Wigram July 1962. Declared surplus and disposed of through GSB tender 26 October 1962. No further details known.

North American Harvard 2A* NZ1039, c/n 88-10288. To storage at Wigram July 1962. Declared surplus and disposed of through GSB tender during 1978. No other details.

North American Harvard 3 NZ1059, c/n 88-14492. Written off books Ardmore 24 May 1944 and converted to INST101 with No.1 RS Hamilton. Later transferred to ATC Northern Wing. No further details known.

[hrvd1068]

Guess i should drag 1068 out for the afternoon for this one

[Dave Homewood]

Definitely Nick!

[jacobb40]

Hi, could you please tell me how long to expect the meeting to last? Is there likely to be a dinner event?
As I'd like to book flights from Wellington and I'd like to fly up on the Saturday evening and fly back on the Sunday evening but wouldn't like to miss anything.

Thank you,
Jacob

[Dave Homewood]

Hi Jacob, we are not planning dinner. It will probably be all over by maybe 4.30pm to 5.00pm, but I expect the Warbirds will open their bar afterwards. Maybe you can get dinner in nearby Papakura or Takanini. It would be great if you can get up for the event.

Warbirds are however planning to provide a sausage sizzle for lunch as part of the ticket price (or people not into that can bring their own packed lunch).

[Dave Homewood]

Is there an expert on the history of the Harvards in RNZAF service and beyond who would like to speak at this event?

Also I need a couple of volunteers to work the barbecue for the sausage sizzle, please.

[hrvd1068]

Dave i am planning on getting nz909 out on display with franks permission ofcourse. So everyone can see an origional mk2 and the difference's there are from a mk2a and mk3

[Dave Homewood]

Thanks Nick, that would be great!!

[jacobb40]

I've booked my flights from Wellington(Kapiti), I'll be coming with my father (Ramsey's son). We're really looking forward to seeing the planes and enjoying the connection with my Grandfather.

Thanks for organising such a great event.

[Dave Homewood]

Cool, see you there.

[Dave Homewood]

If you are intending to come along to this special Forum Meet, and have not yet registered, can you please do so by contacting me ASAP and getting your name on the list. We may be limited for space and seating due to other events happening at Ardmore on the same day, so do not miss out.

Also, and this is important, if you intend to fly in for the event in your own aeroplane, please let me know, so I can inform Warbirds, as they are working on a parking plan for aircraft flying in. Thanks!

[Dave Homewood]

Fourth Speaker Announcement!
John 'JK' Kelly will also be one of the guest speakers! John flies Harvard NZ1053 in the Roaring Forties. He is NZ Warbirds Vice-President, and he is very involved in running the NZ Warbirds @ Ardmore Museum, and the Warbirds Open Day events. JK will talk about civil Harvard training, rides and the planned Harvard and Auckland circa WW2 displays in the hangar.

[Dave Homewood]

As I often do at these events, I will try to run a raffle at this one. So if you have any aviation items of any sort that you would like to donate to the raffle prize pool, please bring them along (books, magazines, models, aircraft bits, whatever!).