Over the airwaves of Thessaloniki, the maiden flight of yet another historic Air Force aircraft, rebuilt from “scratch” and returned to flyable condition, is expected to take place in a few days. This is the legendary HARVARD.
By Christos Mazanitis
Another historic Air Force plane is being revived and is back in the air, almost 60 years later.
The legendary North American T-6 Texan I/ HARVARD is back on the airwaves, thanks to the initiative by the non-profit “IKAROS” Foundation.
As with SPITFIRE so also with HARVARD its full and thorough restoration was carried out at Biggin Hill airfield in the UK.
On October 24th, in the presence of the Chief of General Staff Vice Admiral Demosthenes Grigoriadis, his maiden test flight took place at the airbase in TATOY and on November 10th he is expected to fly for the first time, together with SPITFIRE, in a special event that will be held by all those who will be in Thessaloniki on opportunity to admire.
The reconstruction of the particular aircraft proceeded after the selection of one of the three Harvard planes available to the Greek Air Force at the Dekelia air base.
This North American factory built AT-6D Texan has a 1942 serial number of 42-3927. Rebuilt in 1949 to T-6G with serial number 49-3424 and build number 168-548.
Received by the US Air Force – USAF as MDAP on April 25, 1958 and withdrawn from service in 1969. From 1983 to 1992 the aircraft was at the Air Force Academy (AAF). In March 1993 it was given to the PA Museum where it was exhibited. The aircraft has a Pratt & Whitney R-1830 engine with serial number 104513.
The Air Force used numerous versions of the T-6 HARVARD, of American and British origin.
The first Greek pilots were trained on the type during WWII in Rhodesia, while the first Greek aircraft were ex-British Harvard Mk.II A/B and Mk.III delivered after 1945 and later supplemented by American T-6D/ G.
For about 22 years (1947-1969) the T-6D/G was used as the main trainer of the Aviation School, as the current Icaron School was then known. Outside of training, the T-6D/G saw extensive use during the Civil War, assigned to the 345th, 346th and 347th Reconnaissance Squadrons, in both reconnaissance and strike missions.
· Role: Training / Identification / Bomber
· Dimensions: Span 12.8 m, length 8.99 m, height 3.58 m
· Engine: 1 x Pratt & Whitney R-1340-AN-1 (550 hp)
· Armament: Gun turrets, rockets
· Crew: 2
· Number in service: 108
· Country of Manufacture: USA
· Period of use: 1945 – 1969
Source: www.enikos.gr
