The Harvard Mark IV

The Harvard aircraft holds a distinguished status as one of the most renowned military trainers in history. During the Second World War, it played a pivotal role in training thousands of pilots in Canada as part of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP). Its significance extended into the 1950s and 1960s, training NATO pilots. Remarkably, this advanced trainer continued its service across various Air Forces worldwide until as recently as 2002, when the South African Air Force finally retired their fleet.

Two planes in the air

A Legacy Takes Flight: From Air Force Service to Jim’s “Poor Boys P-51” Harvard

Following its Air Force career, this aircraft found a new home when Saskatchewan Aviation Hall of Famer Harry Whereatt of Assinaboia SK purchased it in 1968. Harry dedicated meticulous care to its maintenance and took to the skies with it until Jim acquired the aircraft in 2008. Fitted with a robust 1340 Pratt and Whitney radial engine, boasting 600 HP, and capable of reaching speeds up to 258 MPH, Jim affectionately named his Harvard “The poor boys P-51,” hinting at his aspirations to someday pilot a Warbird like the iconic P-51 in airshows.

Plane Details

Dimensions: Imperial / Metric

Wing Span: 42 ft / 12.8 m
Fuselage Length: 28 ft 11 in / 8.8 m
Height: 11 ft 8 1/2 in / 3.5 m
Wing Area : 253.7 sq ft / 23.57 sq m

Weight

Empty: 4,150 lb / 1,882 kg
Fully Loaded: 5,750 lb / 2,608 kg

Performance

Maximum Speed: 258 mph / 415 km/h
Cruising Speed: 161 mph / 259 km/h
Landing Speed: 97 mph / 156 km/h
Range: 750 mi / 1,207 km
Max Climb: 1,300 ft/min / 396 m/min
Max Altitude: 22,000 ft / 6,710 m