North American Harvard(s) in the Far East

Quite a few RAF squadrons in the far east during WW2 had a Harvard as a Hack/Trainer.very handy for booze runs etc.One(152 sqdn i think) was mistakenly shot down by a spitfire .These aircraft have been mentioned in some memoirs but I have not seen any photos of them.Since some senior RAF officers preferred flying rather than long hot and uncomfortable drives then it would not seem unreasonable that some RAF HQ’s might also have a few Harvards available.An AOC’s a/c might have had personalised markings but flying in an operational area the markings would have to be drab.

FX493 served with the Kai Tak Station Flight from May 1948 till May 1955

Other Far East Units using Harvards (all Mk.IIBs just like the photo of the machine in the strange “camo” and FX493) were at Butterworth, Seletar, Changi, Iwakuni, Kai Tak, Kallang, Sembawang, Tengah, Kuala Lumpur, Penang. In general just a couple for transport and commucations. The last were withdrawn (267 sq) as late as November 1958.

Regards,

Benno

Harvards in the Far East?

WWII? Post WWII?

Here is a shot I would be pretty sure is from the Far East. It is from the Album of S/Ldr E W Tremlett, who was the CO of 80 Squadron RAF from Nov 1948 until August 1951 – The Spitfire years in Hong Kong. All the other photos are Spitfire 24’s except for this Harvard and a PAA Constellation both of which have the look of a Hong Kong background.

In this shot of FX493, S/Ldr Tremlett is on the left.

Over to you.

Mark

Well done Mr Langham – you’ve foxed Mr Pengelly on a T-6 question – go straight to the top of the class- bodes well for the A Level results matey!

😀

TT

Very unusual indeed. Have seen the photo before and never been able to track down a why? or when?

In all my years of Harvards, I’ve never seen anything like it……… 🙂

Best wishes,

Martin