I have been asked to write a paragraph on the Harvard KF729 used by Classic Wings at Duxford to give “warbird experience” flights. This will be given to the lucky participants after their flights. I’ve tried Google and other than the reference to Prince Philip having used it during his training, there isn’t much available. Does anybody have any anecdotal information they could share please?
By: BennoT6 - 18th February 2011 at 13:13
G-BJST
Hi,
Although there was no dataplate in the aircraft, it is almost absolutely sure it was MM53795/SC-66. However the former USAF-identity is not know. Access to records in Italy is not possible since these are still “secret”. The Harvard was released from military service “only recently” in their opinion …
51-17…(USAF), MM53795(ItalAF), G-BJST
This particular Harvard was build after WW2, and was never used by the RAF.
Will send you some pix (PM). When having them used, please credit correctly.
Regards,
Benno
By: Bograt - 18th February 2011 at 12:46
It’s only thought to be that aircraft, there is no hard evidence;
http://www.caa.co.uk/AANDocs/27642/27642000000.pdf
Seems to have been accepted though…:rolleyes:
By: ozplane - 18th February 2011 at 12:45
Thanks for your very quick reply Benno, Just the kind of thing I need. Could I ask what was the sequence of operators? RAF, Italian AF, then civil?
By: BennoT6 - 18th February 2011 at 12:29
KF729
Hi,
The Harvard, G-BJST, is painted as Prince Philip’s KF729, but it’s in fact a former Italian Air Force Canadian Car & Foundry T-6H Harvard. Italian serial was MM53795 with unitcode SC-66. The Harvard was used in the film “Empire of the Sun”.
Regards,
Benno
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February 18, 2011 at 12:05 pm