My recent Harvard flight
Discussion
So, after months of deliberating I finally got my dream flight in a Harvard (Not a T6 Texan BTW) on Saturday. I opted for the aircraft operated by Ultimate Aerobatics based at White Waltham – for a few reasons;
- It’s a 1942 frame – so genuine WW2 trainer
- Was operated out of Canada (Ontario) as a trainer for fighter pilots
- My Grandad was a flight instructor during the war, teaching in the Harvard and was based in Ontario, so this aircraft is the closest I could get to him.
They also operate an Extra 330 – I surprised my wife on the day and she went up in that at the same time I did my Harvard.
Both flights were 40 minutes, we took off together – her with a Go-Pro on the tail, me with Go Pro on the pilot seat back – met up 2 mins after take off for some very close formation flying before she departed by way of 2 barrel rolls, first over then under the Harvard. That was pretty impressive to see so up close.
Her comment on flying up to the Harvard was just how pretty it looked in the sky. She headed off for some extreme fun whilst I opted to have a bit of stick time (Surprising just how light the controls felt) and some more graceful aeros – started with a loop, then a barrel roll, normal roll, half Cuban and a few wing overs.
You could feel the weight of the plane but for an 82 year old lady she was so graceful – it’s a very surreal experience and one that is just so enjoyable (My wife on the other hand was experiencing way more + G and neg G but loving it).
If anyone ever gets the chance, do it – a stunning aircraft and without spending thousands – the closest to a WW2 warbird you can get. The feel of power on the field when the engine was taken up was awesome – whole fuselage shaking. Visibility for me was great and it was a special moment I’ll never forget. Need to get some video snippets and stills form the Go Pros but a couple of ground shots for now
- It’s a 1942 frame – so genuine WW2 trainer
- Was operated out of Canada (Ontario) as a trainer for fighter pilots
- My Grandad was a flight instructor during the war, teaching in the Harvard and was based in Ontario, so this aircraft is the closest I could get to him.
They also operate an Extra 330 – I surprised my wife on the day and she went up in that at the same time I did my Harvard.
Both flights were 40 minutes, we took off together – her with a Go-Pro on the tail, me with Go Pro on the pilot seat back – met up 2 mins after take off for some very close formation flying before she departed by way of 2 barrel rolls, first over then under the Harvard. That was pretty impressive to see so up close.
Her comment on flying up to the Harvard was just how pretty it looked in the sky. She headed off for some extreme fun whilst I opted to have a bit of stick time (Surprising just how light the controls felt) and some more graceful aeros – started with a loop, then a barrel roll, normal roll, half Cuban and a few wing overs.
You could feel the weight of the plane but for an 82 year old lady she was so graceful – it’s a very surreal experience and one that is just so enjoyable (My wife on the other hand was experiencing way more + G and neg G but loving it).
If anyone ever gets the chance, do it – a stunning aircraft and without spending thousands – the closest to a WW2 warbird you can get. The feel of power on the field when the engine was taken up was awesome – whole fuselage shaking. Visibility for me was great and it was a special moment I’ll never forget. Need to get some video snippets and stills form the Go Pros but a couple of ground shots for now
That looks brilliant, thanks for posting the pics. I’ve often considered it when going to Duxford airshows and seeing them buzzing around. Only thing stopping me at the moment is cost. If I did it I know I wouldn’t regret it though - and it would be another model aircraft on the build list…
Fantastic! I flew in one out of Stellenbosch 20 years ago which was an incredible experience. Diving over the back of Table Mountain and strafing Bloubergstrand beach at low level with the cockpit open. I loved every moment of it. I think the SA Airforce only stopped using them in 1995?
OP, was your wife able to do a “tail stall” as I call them, ie vertical climb, til you run out of speed, seemingly to hang for a second or two before dropping back the way you came, no idea if that’s the correct term.
Did aerobatics in a Texan in Kissimmee, Florida in 2010 but it was unable to do one of these.
Did aerobatics in a Texan in Kissimmee, Florida in 2010 but it was unable to do one of these.
Quattromaster said:
OP, was your wife able to do a “tail stall” as I call them, ie vertical climb, til you run out of speed, seemingly to hang for a second or two before dropping back the way you came, no idea if that’s the correct term.
Did aerobatics in a Texan in Kissimmee, Florida in 2010 but it was unable to do one of these.
Yep. She did a couple of those, including flipping over a few times on the way down. Her plane was a touch more manoeuvrable than mine in that regard Did aerobatics in a Texan in Kissimmee, Florida in 2010 but it was unable to do one of these.
Mine was more genteel with loop, half Cuban barrel roll, wing over etc
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