Harvard I

North American Aviation · United States · first flew 1938 · light aircraft

The Harvard I was the British Commonwealth designation for the first production batch of North American AT-6 / Harvard advanced trainers delivered to the RAF and RCAF under the British Purchasing Commission.

Recognition (WEFT)

WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.

Spot it by:

• Low-wing tandem two-seat advanced trainer with retractable undercarriage
• Distinctive rasping sound from the fixed-pitch propeller
• Round radial cowling, prominent cockpit greenhouse

Retractable undercarriage distinguishes it from BT-9 family. Radial engine with oval cowling. Long cockpit canopy with distinctive framing. Trainer yellow scheme common.

Specifications

• The Harvard I has a length of 8.84 m (29 ft).
• It has a wingspan of 12.8 m (42 ft).
• Its maximum speed is 335 km/h (208 mph).
• Typical crew: 2.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

In 1938 the British Air Ministry ordered 200 Harvards as the Harvard I, essentially an NA-66 version of the AT-6 with British radio and instruments. They entered service with the RAF in 1939 and served throughout the Empire Air Training Scheme, producing thousands of Commonwealth pilots. The Harvard became synonymous with advanced flying training across the British world.

Variants

Harvard I (200 built for RAF/RCAF, NA-66), Harvard II (NA-75), Harvard IIA, Harvard III; US equivalents AT-6A through AT-6F.

Where you'll see it

RAF, RCAF, SAAF from 1939. Used extensively in Canada, Southern Africa, and the UK. Many served into the 1950s with Commonwealth air forces.

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