Ocidental T-6G Texan: The Harvard, my father and me.
The short lived Portuguese company issued a 1/48th Texan, considered the best in the scale.
The Texan served in the IDF for just over a decade. Although it participated in combat missions, particularly during the Independence war the 'Harvard' served largely as a training aircraft in the OTU phase of cadet training. The Harvard aircraft were withdrawn from service in the early 60s. Some were sold to civilian aircraft operators and others were placed in kibbutz settlements and nurseries. Thereafter, the Harvard was a common sight in the skies of Israel as crop dusters and advertisement promoters drawing smoke trails of logos high above the crowded beaches during weekends.
My first Ocicental Harvard was a commission built. Harvard No. 18 was painted in the characteristic late scheme of dark blue and brown over light grey. The kit is fairly basic yet accurate enough to depict the Harvard's outlines. Cockpit parts are somewhat crude, and I therefore retained the canopies closed.
The second model was No. 35 that I built for my father. He spent most of his career in the IDF as a flight instructor. He also was the founder of the aerobatic team that flew Harvard aircraft during their early days.
The dark green and brown over grey was the common scheme of the Harvard in the early days of service.
The faded hues of No. 35 were more representative of the sight of Harvard aircraft as I remember them during childhood. I spent many happy hours examining derelict aircraft in the salvage area of a civil airfield where my father used to work. In the photograph, my father and myself with the Harvard in a kibbutz during a family visit. This particular Harvard was No. 34 (with wings of No. 55.) The aircraft was donated by the IDF sporting the late blue and brown scheme.
Number 35 was returned to me after my father passed away. It was missing many parts such as, main undercarriages, wheels, an elevator, flaps and a cooler intake. Hence, the model was left unattended for more than a decade. The stalemate ended after I purchased GWH's Devastator with floats. It has spare undercarriages and wheels (somewhat big for a Texan) but good enough to restore the model. The rest of the parts were scratch made with the help of a spare elevator from Hobbyboss' float Wildcat.
Rafi...please put up photos of your Harvard.
On the way...
Rafi...great photos of your great works. Thanks, too, for the very special "slice-of-life" story & photos...you, your dad & the IDF.
Thank you Bob.
Very cool story
Thank you George.
That’s really cool, Rafi! Great memories to hold onto. My USAF uncle owned a USN surplus SNJ for many years. I got a few rides in that plane back in the ‘70s.
Thank you John.
I turned down an opportunity to fly in a Texan because the controls are sluggish😉
Great story and pictures, Rafi.
Thank you George.
Awesome results as always, Rafi!
Both models are excellent, each one in its own manner. Great memories!
Thank you Spiros!
Both equally amazing, Rafi @blackmopane
Great story as well.
Thank you John.
Very nice, Rafi (@blackmopane). Thanks also for sharing the story.
Thank you George.
Rafi:
Thanks for sharing those wonderful pix of your father, and the excellent narrative about him. Your Harvard model pix are appreciated as well.
A few years back, I was privileged to catch a ride in a Canadian Harvard (all yellow wiith Candian markings). We flew it in Montana, and did some rolls/loops in it. It was a spectacular ride, for sure. What a great airplane.
Thanks again!
Thank you Marvin.
The flight in Warbirds is always magical.
Rafi (@blackmopane), wonderful article and it is always good to see the variety of aircraft used by the IDF. Thank you for sharing the model and the story.
Thank you Matt.
The Harvard seems to have served almost everywhere! Great story, and excellent models as always!
Thank you Greg!
Nice work! Amazing where this type aircraft will show up. I learned basic aircraft mechanics on SNJ the school had about five.
Thank you Robert!
Great story - I have great memories of T-6s and SNJs. Nice work.
Thank you Chas.
There is still no good picture of Israeli Harvards. Missing early paint and armament details.I have a few kits from Monogram and Ocidental and 1/72 Special Hobby in my stash.
Your build is great!
P.k
Thank you Samo!
I included a scan of the local IPMS newsletter article showing the different Harvard schemes.
If you have questions, do not hesitate to ask.
1 attached image. Click to enlarge.