T-6G Harvard SAAF (South African Air Force)
Posted: Sat Jul 12, 2014 2:13 pm
First of all a brief history of the Harvard in the SAAF:
The first Harvards arrived in South Africa in October 1942 for use by the Joint Air Training Scheme schools. By July 1944, 633 Harvard Mk IIA and III aircraft had been shipped to South Africa, with 555 surviving in October 1945 (379 MkIIAs and 176 Mk IIIs).
As the Harvards had been supplied on lend-lease by the US, 300 were shipped back to the UK from 1946, with the remainder being purchased by South Africa.
65 AT-6Ds (7634 to 7698) and 30 T-6Gs (7699 to 7728) were purchased from the USA during 1952-1956.
The final flight of this venerable old school master of the sky took place at air force base Langebaanweg in 1995 with a spectacular 55 ship flypast culminating in a synchronized mass shut down into total silence.
This model is almost finished (silver has been sprayed on since this photo was taken) just the finishing touches to be added. I will post another pic once completed.
The first Harvards arrived in South Africa in October 1942 for use by the Joint Air Training Scheme schools. By July 1944, 633 Harvard Mk IIA and III aircraft had been shipped to South Africa, with 555 surviving in October 1945 (379 MkIIAs and 176 Mk IIIs).
As the Harvards had been supplied on lend-lease by the US, 300 were shipped back to the UK from 1946, with the remainder being purchased by South Africa.
65 AT-6Ds (7634 to 7698) and 30 T-6Gs (7699 to 7728) were purchased from the USA during 1952-1956.
The final flight of this venerable old school master of the sky took place at air force base Langebaanweg in 1995 with a spectacular 55 ship flypast culminating in a synchronized mass shut down into total silence.
This model is almost finished (silver has been sprayed on since this photo was taken) just the finishing touches to be added. I will post another pic once completed.
