Salute to the ‘Yellow Peril’

OPERATORS

Linda Brimson shares the story of the Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association, and its efforts to keep the North American-designed type’s history alive

CHAA

Originally, the Canadian Harvard Aerobatic Team flew CHAA-owned Harvards and operated as a division of the association. However, in recent years, the team has become a separate group with its own aircraft. Despite this, the friendship and mutual respect between the two entities is infallible.

ERIC DUMIGAN

The Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association (CHAA) is a diverse, all-volunteer group that loves vintage aeroplanes and aims to honour veterans. Since 1985, the CHAA has highlighted the story and sacrifices of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP) by promoting remembrance and gratitude to what was the single largest aviation instruction programme in history. Between 1939-45 bases across Canada trained 131,533 allied pilots and aircrew… 72,835 of which were Canadian. Today, using its fleet of North American T-6 Harvard trainers, the CHAA adheres to a bold mission statement: “…to acquire, preserve, restore, maintain, display and demonstrate the Harvard and other training aircraft associated with the BCATP and Royal Canadian Air Force.”