Identification & Site Information

•Aircraft Designation: J701 North American Harvard Mk. II NA-76 76-3671

•Type: Training Aircraft

•Manufacturer: North American Aviation

•Location: Lake Ontario, near Kingston, Ontario

•Final Status: Struck off on 31 January 1942

History

The North American Harvard Mk. II, designated J701, was a training aircraft operated by the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) during World War II. Designed to prepare pilots for more advanced combat aircraft, the Harvard was renowned for its robust construction and handling.

Service Details:

•Taken on Strength: 27 August 1941, by No. 1 Training Command.

•Assigned to: No. 31 Service Flying Training School (SFTS), Kingston Aerodrome, Ontario.

Incidents

1.11 October 1941:

•Type of Incident: Category C3 damage.

•Details: The aircraft sustained significant, yet repairable, damage at 21:50 at Kingston Aerodrome. Repairs were completed, and J701 returned to service.

2.20 November 1941:

•Type of Incident: Fatal crash.

•Details: J701 crashed into Lake Ontario at 00:10 shortly after takeoff from Kingston Aerodrome. The aircraft reportedly dove into the lake, leading to complete destruction upon impact.

The cause of the crash is not documented, and the wreckage is presumed to have sunk to the bothttps://shotlinediving.com/wp-content/uploads/52895851813_b64678c0f7_c.jpg of Lake Ontario. Recovery efforts were not feasible due to the challenges of locating and retrieving the wreckage.

Final Disposition

J701 was officially struck off strength on 31 January 1942 following the crash and presumed Total Loss in Lake Ontario.

Current Condition & Accessibility

•The wreckage of J701 is presumed to lie undiscovered at an undetermined depth in Lake Ontario near Kingston.

•Due to the lack of precise coordinates and the passage of time, the aircraft remains inaccessible without specialized underwater search equipment.

Resources & Links

•Royal Canadian Air Force Historical Section: For records related to J701 and other RCAF aircraft.

•Aviation Safety Network: For global aviation incident archives.

•Canadian Aviation Museum: For details about Harvard Mk. II aircraft.

•Lake Ontario Shipwreck and Aircraft Research: Specialized in locating underwater wreckage in Lake Ontario.

Keywords

J701, North American Harvard Mk. II, RCAF, Lake Ontario, Kingston Aerodrome, WWII Training Aircraft, Aircraft Loss, Unlocated Wreckage.

Analysis

The loss of J701 underscores the risks inherent in military training operations during World War II. Despite its sturdy design, the aircraft was involved in two incidents during its brief service life. The crash on 20 November 1941, shortly after takeoff, remains unexplained and shrouded in mystery, raising questions about possible mechanical failure or pilot error.

The unlocated wreckage of J701 holds significant historical value, offering potential insights into the training practices and challenges faced by the RCAF during the war. For aviation historians and underwater archaeologists, the aircraft’s story is a compelling chapter in Canada’s wartime aviation history.