Even if you are not one of the many ardent T-6 fans, a chance to read this book will give you the opportunity to enjoy a labor of love that has been carefully written and produced as well as printed in the fine quality such a work deserves. The authors thorough understanding of their subject is evident on every page.
This 50-year history of the development and operation of the Harvard in Canada has 440 photos, 7 color profiles (side views) and 7 five-view black and white plans. It has 208 pages of 8-1/2 x 11 coated stock in a handsome hardback binding with excellent photo reproduction.
The text covers the operation of the fabric covered Harvard I, delivered in 1939, through the Canadian-built Harvard 4. In addition to the extensive material on the RCAF, additional chapters cover use by the Canadian Navy, the reserves, aerobatic teams, in the movies and as surplus civilian aircraft. There are chapters on the little-known AAF AT-6D's that operated in Canada in US markings, the one-only NA-44, the Commonwealth Air Training Plan and the Canadian production by Noorduyn and Canadian Car and Foundry. Canada has the unique distinction of being the only country to both import and export the T-6 as well as manufacture it. A bonus chapter covers the full story of the lesser known Yale, a fixed gear 420 hp version of the AT-6.
There are good descriptions of the details of the various models, flying characteristics, pilots reports, ground handling and mechanics
experiences. The RAF influence in Canada is apparent and such treats as "erks" and "bowsers" will be noticeable to Yanks.
In addition to all of this the Appendix covers the delivery date and date stricken, as well as other information, for every Harvard and Yale used by the RCAF. This tremendous amount of information is a book in itself.