Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: AJ538 North American Harvard Mk. II
- Type: Aircraft
- Year Built:
- Builder: North American Aviation
- Dimensions:
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: Presumed submerged in Lake Ontario
- Official Number: AJ538
- Original Owners: Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF)
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Aircraft Type: North American Harvard Mk. II (NA-17)
Description
AJ538 was an advanced trainer aircraft used by the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) during World War II. It was equipped with Dunlop pneumatic firing gear and served primarily at RCAF No. 31 Service Flying Training School, located at Kingston Aerodrome, Ontario.
History
AJ538 entered Canadian service on 14 July 1941 with No. 1 Training Command and was assigned to No. 31 SFTS. The aircraft experienced two significant incidents during its service:
- 20 August 1941: Category C crash at Kingston Aerodrome — repaired and returned to service.
- 17 May 1942: Second Category C mishap — again repaired and returned to active duty.
Significant Incidents
In early 1944, AJ538 disappeared during a training sortie over Lake Ontario. Despite extensive search operations, no wreckage was found. The aircraft was declared a total loss by No. 6 Repair Depot on 9 May 1944 and was officially struck off charge on 21 July 1944.
Final Disposition
The final status of AJ538 remains unresolved, as the wreckage has not been located. It is presumed to be submerged in Lake Ontario, potentially in deep and remote waters. The aircraft’s disappearance underscores the inherent dangers of flight training during WWII.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The condition of AJ538 is unknown, as the wreckage has not been discovered. Accessibility to the site is highly restricted and may require deep-water recovery capabilities. The research potential of this aircraft is significant, offering insights into RCAF wartime training operations and the circumstances surrounding its loss.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”harvard-aj-538-north-americanmk-ii-aircraft” title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]
AJ538’s story is a poignant reminder of the risks faced by pilots during their training in WWII. Its recovery could provide valuable technical data on the Harvard Mk. II and contribute to the legacy of lost wartime aircraft.
Legacy Notes & Full Historical Record
This section preserves the original unedited Shotline content for this wreck so that no historical detail is lost as we transition to the new logbook format.
AJ538 North American Harvard Mk. II NA‑7 — RCAF Training Aircraft (Struck off 21 July 1944)
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Aircraft Type: North American Harvard Mk. II (NA‑7)
- Serial Number: AJ538
- Role: Advanced trainer aircraft
- Manufacturer: North American Aviation
- Equipment: Dunlop pneumatic firing gear
- Operational Base: RCAF No. 31 Service Flying Training School, Kingston Aerodrome, Ontario
- Final Status: Struck off charge 21 July 1944; believed lost over Lake Ontario
Service History
AJ538 entered Canadian service on 14 July 1941 with No. 1 Training Command and was assigned to No. 31 SFTS.
- 20 August 1941: Category C crash at Kingston Aerodrome — repaired and returned to service
- 17 May 1942: Second Category C mishap — again repaired and returned active duty
Loss & Final Disposition
In early 1944, AJ538 disappeared during a training sortie over Lake Ontario. Despite search operations, no wreckage was found. The aircraft was declared a total loss by No. 6 Repair Depot on 9 May 1944 and officially removed from inventory on 21 July 1944.
Wreck Status & Accessibility
- Location: Presumed submerged in Lake Ontario
- Depth: Unknown; potentially deep and in remote waters
- Condition: Wreckage not located; remains are undiscovered
- Accessibility: Highly restricted—may require deep-water recovery capabilities
- Research Potential: Offers significant historical and forensic interest; could shed light on RCAF wartime training operations and incident circumstances
Significance
AJ538’s disappearance highlights inherent dangers of flight training during WWII. Its recovery could provide technical data on Harvard Mk. II safety, RCAF training procedures, and contribute to the legacy of lost wartime aircraft.
Resources & Links
- RCAF Historical Records (RCAF Historical Section)
- Aviation Safety Network (aviation-safety.net)
- Canadian Aviation Museum (CanadianAviationMuseum.ca)
- Lake Ontario Shipwreck & Aircraft Research (lakeontarioshipwrecks.com)
Keywords, Categories, Glossary
Tags: AJ538, Harvard Mk II, RCAF, WWII aircraft loss, Lake Ontario submersion, training aircraft crash
Categories: Military Aviation, WWII Training Aircraft, Unlocated Wrecks
Glossary: Category C crash (repairable), advanced trainer, pneumatic firing gear, struck off charge