Before the Korean War the ROKAF’s most capable aircraft were 10 T-6 types, not recieved from the US as might be expected, but bought from Canada. Even an armed trainer was considered too provocative an item for the US to give in the prewar US mentality. The planes were paid for by a national subscription campaign and called the “National Foundation Aircraft”, Geon Guk Gi (in current transliteration system). Each had a name. Per various sources either 1 or 7, latter more likely, were shot up by NK Yak-9’s at Seoul Airfield (Yoido) on the first afternoon of the war, June 25, 1950. However the others were pressed into service bombing NK columns with at first hand dropped 15kg bombs and grenades, later fitted with bomb racks. The 7.7mm machine guns (per ROKAF official history, .30, .303?) that came with them from Canada weren’t fitted til some weeks later.
But, though these are famous a/c of the ROKAF, no source I can find says exactly what model they were. Some web sources say they were produced by Noorduyn in Canada, if so likely Harvard IIB (but other models were produced in Canada). Does anyone know exactly what model planes the Canadians sold to South Korea?
Joe
The 10th National Foundation Aircraft, named “Gyeong Buk”
By: TEXANTOMCAT - 27th November 2007 at 17:02
Surely its a Noord American Hexan?
or if not a North Canadian Foundary & Car Aviation Tarvard?
:p
I’ll get my coat….:)
TT
By: Fleet16b - 27th November 2007 at 16:56
IMO.
Looking at the canopy structure plus the exhaust , this a/c is definitely a MK 2B Harvard.
The long exhaust was an option for allowing heat to be collected for cabin heat . A must in our Canadian winters.
Also the later marks of H arvard has more glass sections than the MK 2
Is it Canadian built ? I don’t know. Th RCAF had both US and Can built.
I cannot cinfirm but believe that the earlier marks came from the Us and we started building later marks later on.
Fleet16b
By: T6flyer - 27th November 2007 at 12:49
Judging from the venturi on the side of this airframe I now agree with Benno that this is a Mk.II built in America by North American and not a later Noorduyn produced MK.IIB.
I’m not sure how these airframes can be mixed up with the T-6D as they are quite different in their construction. But I can be wrong…I normally am. I will make a few enquiries and report back.
Martin
By: J Boyle - 27th November 2007 at 03:38
My trusty Putnam’s Canadian Aircraft since 1909 does not list Korea as a foreign operator of the Harvard IIb. Is it possible that they came via a third country?
However, another source says the ROKAF had just two early Texans (T-6Ds) on hand before the war started.
With their early style canopy and radio masts (per-Mk IIB), could these have been mistaken for ex-Canadian Harvards?
By: Tom_W - 26th November 2007 at 23:01
Hello Joe,
Have you got Peter C Smith’s Crowood book on the Harvard/T-6? as I recall there being a chapter in there regarding their ROKAF service. If not I’ll get my copy back tomorrow and have a look for you.
Tom
By: JoeB - 26th November 2007 at 18:09
Any more ideas on this? (see opening post).
Joe
By: T6flyer - 16th October 2006 at 13:48
Looking at the exhaust and the canopy (together with the rear mast) I’d say it was a MK.IIB. I’ve seen other photos (cant remember where) showing IIBs in South Korean colours.
But as to identities I know nothing……..
Martin
By: JoeB - 16th October 2006 at 02:43
Is there any indication/reference when those Harvards were delivered to the ROKAF ?
May 1950, just before the Korean War.
Joe
By: BennoT6 - 15th October 2006 at 19:32
The aircraftshown on the photo might be a Harvard II (North American modell, NA-66, NA-75, NA-76 or NA-81) or a Harvard IIB (Noorduyn built). The venturi tubes (just above the exhaust) were usually fitted only on the Mk. IIs, but there is photoproof of Mk.IIBs with those as well.
Is there any indication/reference when those Harvards were delivered to the ROKAF ?
I had never heard about those ROKAF Harvards so far ! Thanks !
By: JoeB - 15th October 2006 at 17:32
btt
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October 7, 2006 at 7:02 pm