WIX Archives
Re: Dunnville (Ontario) museum
Posted by AIRIC on Sat Jul 26, 2003 09:40:06 AM
In reply top Re: Dunnville (Ontario) museum posted by Al on Fri Jul 25, 2003 10:00:24 PM
Subject: Harvard in Dunnville
Dear Dave:
Let me provide you with a little history. 2766 was found in a field near Tillsonburg in the early sixties. It was in rough shape - no engine, completely rusted out, etc etc. The Dunnville No. 6 S.F.T.S., R.C.A.F Association bought it from a farmer for $200.00, towed it to town, and after a great many hours of hard word and many dollars later it was placed on the pedestal at the Dunnville Library. This was in 1964.
Sometime, during the 1980's, the A/C was towed to the Welland airport and refurbished again at considerable cost to the assoc. of which my Dad (Frank) was an ardent proponent from the beginning and the "ring leader" of the annual reunions in Dunnville for some 48 years.
In the early spring of 1999, The Canadian War Museum in Ottawa contacted the No. 6 Assoc. requesting the loan of Harvard 2766 for a display in Ottawa for a three month period celebrating the 75th anniversary of the R.C.A.F. Apparently, they looked at one or two other Harvards before deciding that the one in Dunnville was the one they wanted. It was returned to Dunnville in time for the 54th reunion in September, 1999.
D.N.D. paid the sum of $10,000 to No. 6 for the loan of the aircraft which was suppose to have included a paint job but this did not happen because of lack of time.
Following the 54th reunion, 2766 was taken down again, towed out to the Dunnville Airport and completely dismantled right down to the last nut and bolt. Work continued on it throughout the winter of 1999-2000 and it was back up on the pedestal in time for the 55th and final reunion in September, 2000. All this was done at a cost to the Association of approximately $16,000.
The Town of Dunnville and the No. 6 Assoc. are pleased to have this particular aircraft as a memorial to those who served on the Dunnville station during the war because it was actually at No. 6 at one point during the 4 years the station was in operation. Many a flyer trained on 2766. There are very few Harvards in existence (flying or static displays) so Dunnville is indeed uniquely favoured.
John Scholfield