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Ingenium Canada Aviation and Space Museum

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North American Harvard 4

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Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday to Monday
Address
11 Aviation Parkway, Ottawa, ON
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Browse all Visitor Information for Canada Aviation and Space Museum
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North American Harvard 4

North American Harvard 4

Highlights:

  • An American single-engine trainer designed by North American Aviation Incorporated and produced between 1937 and 1953
  • Known as the AT-6 Texan by the U.S. military, for whom it was designed
  • Used to train nearly all U.S. and British Commonwealth fighter pilots from 1940 to 1955
  • Early versions used in Canada during the Second World War under the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan
  • Production rated highest as a Canadian-built aircraft; Noorduyn Aviation Limited and Canadian Car & Foundry Limited produced 3,350 Harvards during and after the Second World War
  • Operated in the 1950s by Royal Canadian Air Force flying schools in Western Canada
  • One of the most famous and successful trainers of all time
  • First flight was in 1940 (AT-6)

Image Gallery:

CASM-21891

CASM-21891

CASM-28473

CASM-28473

History:

One of the best advanced training aircraft 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.

Current Location:

Reserve Hangar, Canada Aviation and Space Museum

Provenance:

Transfer from the Royal Canadian Air Force

This Harvard was manufactured by Canadian Car & Foundry Limited in Fort William, Ontario in 1952. The aircraft was accepted by the RCAF in September of that year and first served at No. 3 Flying Training School at Claresholm, Alberta. After a brief storage period, the Harvard was transferred to No. 2 Flying Training School at Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan in November 1958. It was used here until July 1959, when it was stored at Lincoln Park in Calgary, Alberta. The Harvard was retired and transferred to the Museum in March 1964. It was last flown as part of National Aeronautical Collection Day at Rockcliffe airport in June 1973.

Technical Information:

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 1,145 km (710 mi)
Power Plant one Pratt & Whitney R-1340-AN-1 Wasp, 600 hp, radial engine

North American Harvard 4 plan

AVIATION
Canada Aviation and Space Museum
Artifact No.
1967.0679
Manufacturer
Canadian Car and Foundry Company Ltd.
Manufacturer Location
Canada
Manufacture Date
1952
Acquisition Date
1964
Registration Number
20387 (RCAF)
  • View all the collection highlights at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum
  • View other collection highlights related to Aviation

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About Canada Aviation and Space Museum

Canada Aviation and Space Museum
Located on a former military air base just five kilometers from the Prime Minister’s residence at 24 Sussex Drive in Ottawa, the Canada Aviation and Space Museum focuses on aviation in Canada within an international context – from its beginnings in 1909 to today.
Read more about the museum

Contact Us

Canada Aviation and Space Museum
11 Aviation Parkway
Ottawa ON K1K 2X5
Canada

613-991-3044
1-866-442-4416
contact@IngeniumCanada.org
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  • Plan Your Visit
    • Health and Safety
    • Hours
    • Admission
    • Location and Directions
    • Accessibility
    • Browse All Visitor Information
    • Buy Tickets
    • Online Resources for Science at Home
    • About the Museum
  • What's On at the Museum
    • Events
    • Exhibitions
    • Flights and Simulations
    • Spaces and Studios
  • Bookings and Rentals
    • School Programs
    • Summer Camps
    • Venue Rentals
    • Travelling Exhibitions
    • Virtual Field Trips
    • Group Visits
    • Birthday Parties
  • Educational Programs
    • School Programs
    • Virtual Field Trips
    • Program Location
      • At the Museum
      • At your School
      • Online
      • Browse all Educational Programs
    • Popular Links
      • 3D Educational Resources
      • Digital Learning Kits
      • Games and Apps
      • Online Resources for Science at Home
      • Try This Out
  • Collection and Research
    • Research Institute
    • Research Projects
    • Collection Resources
      • Ingenium Collection
      • Collection Highlights
      • Conservation and Collection Services
    • Library and Archives
      • Library and Archives Services
      • Library Catalogue
      • Digital Archives
    • Open Access
      • Ingenium APIs
      • Open Data
      • Open Documents
  • Projects and Initiatives
    • Ingenium Channel
    • The Legacy Series
    • Let's Talk Energy