J701 North American Harvard Mk. II NA-76

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 military training aircraft used by the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) during World War II. The aircraft was taken on strength by No. 1 Training Command on 27 August 1941 and assigned to No. 31 Service Flying Training School (SFTS) located at Kingston, Ontario.

SERVICE HISTORY

During its brief service, J701 was involved in the following incidents:

• 11 October 1941: The aircraft sustained Category C3 damage at 21:50 at Kingston Aerodrome. This level of damage indicated that the aircraft required extensive repairs, but it was not beyond repair and was returned to service.

• 20 November 1941: J701 was destroyed at 00:10 when it dove into Lake Ontario shortly after takeoff from Kingston Aerodrome. The cause of the crash is not detailed, but the aircraft was completely destroyed upon impact with the lake. The wreckage likely sank into the depths of Lake Ontario, making recovery difficult.

FINAL DISPOSITION

The wreckage of J701 remains in Lake Ontario following the crash on 20 November 1941. Due to the severity of the crash and the challenges associated with recovery, the aircraft was officially struck off the RCAF’s inventory on 31 January 1942.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY

The wreckage of J701 lies undiscovered in Lake Ontario. The exact location and depth are not documented, making the site inaccessible without specialized underwater search equipment. The wreck remains of significant interest to aviation historians and underwater archaeologists, particularly those focusing on World War II-era training operations.

RESOURCES & LINKS

1. Royal Canadian Air Force Historical Section: RCAF Historical Records
2. Aviation Safety Network: Aviation Safety Network
3. Canadian Aviation Museum: Canadian Aviation Museum
4. Lake Ontario Shipwreck and Aircraft Research: Lake Ontario Shipwrecks

KEYWORDS

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

ANALYSIS J701’s loss is a stark reminder of the risks associated with military training during World War II. The aircraft, which was only in service for a few months, was involved in two incidents, the latter of which resulted in its destruction shortly after takeoff. The unexplained dive into Lake Ontario adds an air of mystery to the incident, and the unlocated wreckage remains a subject of interest for those researching aviation history or involved in underwater exploration.