North American Harvard IIB 42-12417 (RCAF FE930) NAHR – Awaiting classification
It was a privilege to be there in summer 2025, on the day volunteers rolled the North American Harvard IIB out from its restoration in the workshop in the summer sunshine, such a long process since its arrival at the Museum in 2010. By Jan McGeachie
As museum visitors in 2015 my husband and I, first noticed the airframe being restored; often stopping to take a tantalising peek through the workshop’s open door. In subsequent years we watched as the Harvard underwent its long-term restoration. We were once advised that previous modifications to its cowling, had created some challenges; so we were pleased to see it being completed in 2024. We also felt really fortunate being there a year later, watching the museum staff and volunteers fix the wings in place. The Harvard was then settled in a prime position on Northfield Site; becoming one of the first aircraft visitors see as they arrive.
Designed as an American single-engine trainer aircraft, the T-6 is best perhaps known as the Harvard. This type was used in Canada to train thousands of British and Commonwealth airmen and remains as a popular air show attraction. Some 15,495 T-6s of all variants were built. Some were even seen appearing in films like Tora Tora (1970) with Japanese markings to represent Zeros or in A Bridge Too Far (1977) as Thunderbolts.
As a two seat tandem aircrew trainer, the Harvard has a wingspan of 42 feet; length 29 feet 6 inches; maximum speed 211 mph; range of 870 miles climbing to a height of 24,750 feet. They were powered by a single Pratt and Whitney R-1340-AN-1 piston engine.
Built in 1942 at the Noorduyn Aviation factory, in Montreal, Canada this Harvard IIB has a varied history. Its first service was flying with the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), which it wore when flying as FE930 at Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada in the 1940s.
In 1949 the aircraft was transferred to the Royal Netherlands Air Force and flew as B-163. Retired in November 1962 after being declared beyond economical repair, it went on display various location in the Netherland.
It was transferred to the UK in the 1980s, and acted as a spares source for several Harvard projects. The aircraft was acquired by the museum in 2010 and it filled an important gap in the museum’s themed display of training aircraft. Requiring a lot of restoration work the airframe was a constant feature in the on-site workshop for many years.
A lot of behind the scenes work was taken to confirm the real identity of the airframe. A special thank you should be extended to the Archive Team at Ingenium, Canada’s Museum of Science and Innovation in Ottawa. Not only did they help with identification process, but they also helped to clarify the RCAF markings it wore as FE930. This colour scheme was selected as a tribute to the hundreds of RCAF personnel who trained with 1661 Heavy Conversion Unit (HCU) at wartime RAF Winthorpe (where the museum is now located).
Photo credit: Jan McGeachie