Aircraft Information

• Type: Noorduyn Harvard Mk.IIB

• Serial Number: 3126

• Manufacturer: Noorduyn Aviation Limited (licensed production of the North American Harvard for the Royal Canadian Air Force)

• First Date of Service: 4 November 1941

• Last Date of Service: 23 August 1943

• Operator: Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF)

• Base: No. 14 Service Flying Training School (SFTS), RCAF Station Aylmer, Ontario

Aircraft Role

The Noorduyn Harvard Mk.IIB was a Canadian-built variant of the North American T-6 Texan, a renowned advanced trainer used by Allied air forces during World War II. It was a single-engine, low-wing monoplane designed for pilot training, including advanced flight maneuvers, instrument flying, and navigation.

The aircraft was part of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP), a large-scale program to train Allied aircrews in Canada, far from the threat of Axis forces. No. 14 SFTS at RCAF Station Aylmer was a key training facility under this program, specializing in advanced flight training.

The Crash

• Date of Incident: 23 July 1943

• Location: Lake Erie, near the southern coast of Ontario

• Cause: Specific details of the crash are not well-documented, but wartime training accidents were often caused by mechanical failure, pilot error, or adverse weather conditions.

• Outcome: The aircraft was Abandoned. The pilot likely survived, as no fatality is recorded with the incident.

Lake Erie, particularly near the southern Ontario coastline, was a common area for training flights. However, the region’s weather patterns and the challenges of flying older, often overused training aircraft contributed to numerous incidents.

Aircraft Service Timeline

1. 4 November 1941:

• Noorduyn Harvard Mk.IIB Serial 3126 was delivered to the RCAF and assigned to No. 14 SFTS in Aylmer, Ontario.

2. Service Period:

• The aircraft was part of the training fleet, used to prepare pilots for operational roles in combat or transport aviation. It would have participated in advanced flight exercises under the BCATP.

3. 23 July 1943:

• The aircraft crashed into Lake Erie during a training mission. While the specific details of the crash are unclear, the incident resulted in the aircraft being Abandoned and written off.

4. 23 August 1943:

• The aircraft’s service records were officially closed, marking its final disposition as “Abandoned.”

RCAF Station Aylmer

RCAF Station Aylmer, located in southern Ontario, was a major training base under the BCATP. Established in 1940, it trained thousands of aircrew, including pilots and navigators, using advanced trainers like the Harvard Mk.IIB. The proximity of Lake Erie made it a convenient and challenging training environment but also contributed to incidents like the crash of 3126.

The crash of Noorduyn Harvard Mk.IIB Serial 3126 is a reminder of the intense training efforts and sacrifices made under the BCATP during World War II. While the incident did not involve combat, it underscores the dangers faced by pilots even during training, as they prepared for missions critical to the Allied war effort. The Harvard series remains a symbol of Allied aviation training, and surviving examples of the aircraft are highly valued by museums and collectors.

he Noorduyn Harvard Mk.IIB, serial number 3126, served with No. 14 Service Flying Training School at RCAF Station Aylmer, Ontario. On July 23, 1943, during a training mission, it crashed into Lake Erie and was subsequently Abandoned. The aircraft’s service record was officially closed on August 23, 1943.

Salvage Efforts:

There is no publicly available information indicating that salvage operations were conducted for Harvard Mk.IIB 3126 after its crash into Lake Erie. Given the wartime context and the abundance of training aircraft, it is likely that the aircraft was left in situ.

Memorials:

Specific memorials dedicated solely to Harvard Mk.IIB 3126 have not been documented. However, the broader contributions of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP) and the personnel involved are commemorated at various sites:

• British Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum: Located in Brandon, Manitoba, this museum honors the history and legacy of the BCATP, including the aircraft and personnel who served.

• National Air Force Museum of Canada: Situated in Trenton, Ontario, the museum features exhibits on the RCAF’s history, including training programs and aircraft like the Harvard.


Resources & Further Reading

1. British Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum

• Website: https://www.airmuseum.
  Location: Brandon, Manitoba. The museum is dedicated to preserving the history of the BCATP, including exhibits on training aircraft like the Harvard.
• National Air Force Museum of Canada Website: https://airforcemuseum.ca
  Location: Trenton, Ontario. This museum showcases artifacts and history related to the RCAF and the BCATP, including the use of the Harvard.
• Vintage Wings of Canada Website: https://www.vintagewings.ca
  Includes articles and resources about the Harvard and its historical significance in Canadian aviation.
• Canadian Aviation Museum Website: https://canadianaviationmuseum.com A museum dedicated to preserving Canada’s aviation history, featuring aircraft like the Noorduyn Harvard.
• Harvard Aircraft Association Website: http://harvards.com A site dedicated to the history, restoration, and preservation of Harvard aircraft in Canada and globally.
  
  Books:
• “The Aerodrome of Democracy” by F.J. Hatch – A detailed account of the BCATP.
• •“Noorduyn Aircraft and the Harvard” by Dan McCaffery – A history of Noorduyn’s role in Canadian aviation.