Identification & Site Information

•Aircraft Name: Harvard II AJ699

•Type: Advanced Trainer Aircraft

•Location: Collins Bay, Lake Ontario, Kingston, Ontario, Canada

•Coordinates: Collins Bay, near Kingston Airport

•Fate: Mainly Recovered; parts used in a monument at Kingston Airport

Aircraft Type Description

The Harvard II AJ699 was an advanced trainer aircraft designed to prepare pilots for operational roles during World War II. Known for its robust construction and reliability, the Harvard served as a critical training platform for Allied air forces, including the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) under the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP). The aircraft’s tandem-seat configuration and forgiving flight characteristics made it ideal for refining skills such as formation flying, navigation, and emergency maneuvers.

Service History

The Harvard AJ699 had a challenging operational history, marked by multiple incidents that reflected the hazards of training during wartime:

1. Engine Failure and Forced Landing (March 26, 1943)

•Pilot: A/LA G. Wakeling

•Incident: At an altitude of approximately 700 feet, the engine failed west of Collins Bay. Wakeling successfully performed a forced landing, sustaining minor injuries.

•Outcome: Wakeling was reassigned to further training but later suffered severe injuries in another crash on May 5, 1943, during night flying. His lack of a fastened Sutton harness contributed to his injuries.

2. Mid-Air Collision During Formation Training

•Date: Not specified

•Pilots Involved:

•A/LA R.L. Bamford (New Zealand)

•A/LA Clarabut (Harvard AJ657)

•Incident: During a formation flying exercise, Bamford’s pitot head struck the port elevator of Clarabut’s aircraft. Clarabut bailed out over Wolfe Island, landing through the ice. Bamford was later charged with gross carelessness.

•Outcome: Clarabut survived; his aircraft was lost.

3. Bird Strike During Navigation Test

•Pilots: A/LA Bramwell FX91872 and F/O Johnson

•Incident: The aircraft struck a bird, damaging the leading edge of the main plane. Despite the damage, they safely returned to base.

4. Final Event: Abandonment in Lake Ontario (September 3, 1943)

•Pilots: Sgt. Scowcroft and A/LA Holstead

•Incident: During an over-lake navigation exercise, the aircraft developed issues, forcing both crew members to abandon it. The Harvard sank within 2.5 minutes near Cobourg.

•Outcome: The crew survived; the aircraft was lost to the lake.

Aftermath and Legacy

•Recovery:

The remains of Harvard AJ699 were recovered from Lake Ontario after its loss. While the aircraft was no longer airworthy, parts were salvaged and repurposed.

•Monument at Kingston Airport:

Components of AJ699 were incorporated into a monument at Kingston Airport. The monument honors the aircraft’s service and the airmen who trained on it during World War II, paying tribute to the risks and sacrifices involved in pilot training.

Legacy of Harvard Trainers

Harvard trainers like AJ699 played a pivotal role in the BCATP, known as the “Aerodrome of Democracy.” These aircraft helped train thousands of pilots who later served in combat roles across various theaters of war. The monument at Kingston Airport serves as a reminder of this critical period in aviation history.

Resources & Links

•Harvards Above: Historical resource dedicated to the Harvard trainer aircraft.

•Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum: Exhibits historical aircraft, including Harvards.

•Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association: Preserves and showcases Harvard trainers.

Conclusion

The Harvard II AJ699 represents a vital chapter in the history of World War II aviation training. Despite its tumultuous service history, its legacy endures through the monument at Kingston Airport. This tribute underscores the importance of the training programs that prepared countless Allied pilots for the rigors of war, highlighting both the triumphs and sacrifices of the era.

Keywords

#HarvardII #WWIITrainer #CollinsBay #LakeOntario #KingstonAirportMonument #AviationHistory #RCAF #BCATP