UK Harvard flights are go – the Wacky Wabbit is going on tour! This is your chance to book an introductory flight in a Harvard when this iconic military trainer flies during summer season. And you’ll be the one sitting up front!
This stunning Harvard was built as a T6J in 1953 at the Canadian Car & Factory Company. Commissioned by the USAF the Harvard you’ll be flying in was dispatched to Italy as part of the post-war initiative to rebuild Air Forces around Europe. Serving for many years as a military advanced training aircraft this plane served at various Italian bases.
After Italy this Harvard’s history is sketchy until the aircraft turned up back in the UK in 1981 with a civilian registration G-BJST. Since then the plane has lived under multiple ownerships until 2015 when this consortium took over and made some bold decisions. First up was a full and pain-staking restoration to bring this warbird back to prime airworthy condition. Then it was all about the livery…
The team decided on RAF Desert Air Force (DAF) colours just like a MkII Harvard serial number AJ841 which flew with the Desert Air Force between 1941 and 1946 training young fighter pilots during the North African campaign. It’s a pretty rare sight too believed to be the only Harvard in the UK and indeed Europe flying in authentic DAF colours.
Looking for a moniker for their newly resplendent Harvard the crew stumbled across the carrot-eating rabbit logo used by the British Flying Training School in Florida during the 1940s. Inspired by this piece of aviation history the Wacky Wabbit was born.
And now here he is flying the skies of the UK as the Wacky Wabbit offering flights to introduce you to the world of Harvard warbirds. These very special experiences are scheduled at Old Warden Airfield in Biggleswade and Conington Airfield in Peterborough – the aircraft’s home base.
The thrill of flying in such a prime example of a Harvard in the UK is evident. And to add an extra spin to your whole flight experience the Wacky Wabbit Harvard will be demonstrating aerobatics if you’re up for it. What’s more you might even get a chance to have a go at the controls.
