'Wacky Wabbit' Harvard Aerobatics

Pilot Andy Goodall performed these two practice aerobatic displays in T-6J Harvard IV, G-BJST, 'Wacky Rabbit', at IWM Duxford Airfield on Saturday 19th December 2020. As you can hear on the film, there was quite a strong and constant south westerly wind. The film that I've put together was done using 2 cameras using full HD and AVCHD media quality with various shutter speed settings from full auto down to 1/60, as I was also taking the opportunity to do a camera test. The cameras used were both Sony FDR-AX53s.

Thanks to Andy, for giving 2 fine practice displays - just about the only flying of the day - to the small crowd of visitors at IWM Duxford and well done for 'nailing' that three point landing with USAF F-15 pilots and staff from RAF Mildenhall clearly and enthusiastically enjoying the display.

Harvard G-BJST – was built in 1953 by the Canadian Car and Foundry Company (C&CF) as a model T6J. It was built for the USAF under the Mutual Development Assistance Program (MDAP) due to Military officials calling for the introduction of legislation to expand suitable military training equipment.

After the negotiation of the North Atlantic defence treaty, there was a requirement to provide military aid to strengthen member country’s against the communist threat in Europe. As part of an order placed in 1951 by the USAF aircraft were supplied to the French, German, Italian, Turkish and other Airforce’s to help speed up their recovery after world war two. Apparently, under the contract number AF-20641, two batches of T-6 were manufactured by the CCF. The first batch consisted of 143 aircraft with 69 going to Italy, 24 to Belgium and 51 to the French Air Force.

G-BJST GETS A MAKEOVER
Transformation to AJ841 – T6 Harvard Aviation Ltd Decided in August 2014 to repaint G-BJST in a new colour scheme for 2015 as the current paint was looking rather tired. The idea to paint her as a former RAF Desert Air Force (DAF) MKII Harvard was suggested by Andy Goodall to the group, and it was agreed. Andy subsequently acquired sponsorship from RS Paintwork (now Purple aviation located at Eshott airfield), and the transformation began.

Meticulous research was carried out by Andy Goodall and Martin Pengelly into a Harvard that served in the North Africa campaign with a Duxford connection. AJ841 was found to have a relationship with Duxford as she saw service with 154 Squadron. Originally 154 Squadron were based just to the West of RAF Duxford at RAF Fowlmere before deploying to the Middle East in 1942. Record cards for 154 Squadron show the squadron Harvard (AJ841) being flown by flying officer DC Dunn from Minnigh (Syria) to Ramat David (Palestine) on the 12th February 1944.

AJ841 – AJ841 was also logged with “243 squadron” on the 11th January 1944 flying from “Syria” Allepo to Petah Tiger in Palestine with the pilot named as F/Sgt Ernewein and passenger marked as ‘Self'. The return journey was made from Palestine back to Aleppo on the 16th January 1944 this time with the pilot 'Self' and the passenger F/Sgt Ernewein. The logbook marked on this page as “243 Squadron Allepo Syria 1944” It seems AJ841 had a busy life as a general hack used by many squadrons.

We approached the RAF in 2014 and permission was given for G-BJST to now carry the codes AJ841 and the RAF colours and markings – Then the transformation began!

TRANSFORMATION TO AJ841 – DESERT COLOURS
Harvard AJ841 was shipped directly from the USA to the Middle East on the 23rd November 1941 on the steamship M Livanos, and she was struck off charge on the 25th April 1946. During her time in the Middle, East AJ841 saw service with 74 OTU where she would train and acclimatise fighter and army cooperation pilots to desert conditions. Records show that Harvard’s in this area were used for conversion and continuation training for pilots on to the Hurricane and Spitfire.

ABOUT THE “WACKY WABBIT”
Why the “Wacky Wabbit”? – The logo was added purely for marketing purposes. However, the (W) Rabbit in the Harvard was a wartime patch from the No 5 British Flying Training school in Florida.

Andy Goodall slightly modified it and gave it the name “Wacky Wabbit” he wanted to call it “Wicked Wabbit” however that was taken by a famous P47 Thunderbolt!

Above aircraft history has been taken from the T6 Harvard Aviation media profile, which gives permission to use the content for promotional purposes.
https://www.radialairshows.co.uk/medi...
https://www.t6harvard.com

More information about T6 Harvard Aviation and Harvards in general can be found at their website here - https://www.radialairshows.co.uk/medi...

(Creator's note - Agreed with Andy Goodall his use of this upload, hence on YT Warbird_Experience channel and Facebook, instagram etc).

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