March 6, 2025: From humble beginnings on a grass airstrip outside Woodstock to more than 400 members and its own hangars in Tillsonburg, the Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association has come a long way.
The group was formed on Feb. 12, 1985. Former Royal Canadian Air Force pilot Bob Hewitt, pilot Norm Beckham, pilot Len Fallowfield, and some friends established a grass airfield in Woodstock that year. Before year’s end, they received charitable status.
While the original three aircraft were privately owned, the association acquired its first aircraft in April 1986. A second aircraft – a Yale – was added the following year, and a hangar was purchased in Tillsonburg to use for restoration work. Flying operations move to Tillsonburg a short time later.
The Harvard was the primary aircraft used by the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan during the Second World War. This program trained hundreds of aviators from Canada, England, and other Commonwealth countries. Numerous bases were scattered across Southwestern Ontario.
The association’s mission is to acquire, preserve, restore, maintain, display, and demonstrate the Harvard and other aircraft used by the British Commonwealth Air Training Program.
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Article and Photos Courtesy of Jeff Helsdon, Editor Tillsonburg Post