UK based Harvard 2 photo request

[Colin Osborne]

I am trying to find photographs of any UK based camouflaged Harvard 2 for a 1/6 scale model I am about to paint. Apart from a few pictures of early Harvard 1s I really cant find anything. There are plenty of pictures of Commonwealth based aircraft but so far nothing from the UK. A decal manufacturer shows a very interesting profile of FX215 "50" based at RAF Newton with 16 Polish SFTS but I would prefer to see actual photographs of a subject rather than just use a profile. With some research on Polish training in the RAF I found the picture attached, which as you can see is not really good for reference. If anyone could help with actual wartime pictures rather than later restorations I would be very grateful.

Thank you, Colin Osborne

[Revi16]

Not all Harvard 2, but perhaps some help.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/adelaide_archivist/3173602412/

http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205208655

http://www.flickr.com/photos/21625416@N08/3172885213

http://www.rafcommands.com/serials/raf-serials-ja-ka-la/

http://raf-112-squadron.org/112_photos_page_4.html

http://forum.keypublishing.com/showthread.php?124780-Yale-and-Harvard-Frames

http://m.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205208657

http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205126721

http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205126712

http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205126724

[Colin Osborne]

Thanks Revi16 for such a quick reply. A superb collection of pictures which will be very useful for reference. Sadly though none of the elusive camouflaged UK based Harvard 2s. I thought it interesting reading in one of your links that Rhodesia destined Harvards were assembled in UK before being shipped or flown on.

Thanks again, Colin

[Larry]

Have you looked up the batch of Harvard II serials to see where they were delivered as I tend to think of the type as a post war aircraft for the RAF

[Colin Osborne]

Hi Larry
Looking up the FX batch of serials just list as Harvard 2b with no further information.

Colin

[Larry]

Colin,

Were you looking up the serials in Air Britain' RAF Aircraft FA100- FZ999?

Harvard IIBs in FX range were delivered April to August 1944.

Now forgive me for this suggestion but looking at the crash rate of WW2 aircraft like Oxfords etc you see many that have been written off shortly after delivery and yet with these Harvards very few were lost in WW2 and most were in use well in to the post-war years, which suggests to me that most of the batch was in storage late in the war. Could this correspond with the surplus of pilots in 1944 of which my uncle was one who spent more time flying a desk after learning to fly in Canada?

[Colin Osborne]

Hi Larry
I was using the link above in Revi16s post rafcommands.com/serials not really knowing anywhere else to check. What you are suggesting certainly seems possible and would explain the lack of wartime photographs. There seems to be no shortage of pictures of Miles Masters which I assume would have played the same training role as an advanced trainer, so taking pictures was not a problem.
Thanks for your continued help.

Colin

[Colin Osborne]

I found this during a late night search
"FX215 one of a batch of IIB delivered to UK between March 44 and April 44
Served with 16 SFTS @ Newton, Sept 44 to Dec 45 3 SFTS @ South Cerney, Jan 46-Dec46
22 SFTS @Ouston then Syerston Dec 46 to July 48,
Sent to Rhosesia Jan 51,serving with 5 FTS May 51 -may 52 SOC July 52 "

From this site
http://www.network54.com/Forum/14967...26amp%3B+FX215

This seems to suggest that FX215 and others were operational in UK from September 1944 with 16 SFTS.

Colin

[Graham Boak]

Another example with 16 FTS was KF142 coded 45.
7 FTS had FT212 coded 10
19 FTS had FT338 DH, post May 1945?

These are from Air Britain's Flying Training and Support Units since 1912. The various Air Britain serial listings will provide more examples, but their publication The Harvard File will almost certainly be your best source - if you can find one. I suggest your local library.

[Colin Osborne]

Graham thats superb information, just what I was hoping to find. Thank you.

Colin