Harvard association launches monthly open houses and fly days

Mark Colman stands next to one of the Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association’s Harvards after taking a flight in it on Saturday. His father, a U.S. Navy aviator whose uniform he wore during the flight, trained in the American version of the Harvard. (Jeff Helsdon Photo)

Jeff Helsdon, Editor

The Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association's monthly open house and fly days attract some individuals with interesting stories among the patrons. Saturday’s inaugural open house and fly day of the year started with one of those.

When he climbed into the aircraft that were used as trainers by the Royal Canadian Air Force on Saturday afternoon, Mark Colman of Brantford was wearing his father Ken’s Korean War U.S. Navy aviator uniform. The leather jacket, now more than 60 years old, showed wear, but was still sold.

“He wore the jacket during the Korean War,” he proudly said. “He was a U.S. Navy operator and flew the navy’s first operational jet.”

Colman explained that the aircraft known to Canadians as Harvards were called AT-6 Texans by the U.S. Air Force and SNJs by the U.S. Navy. Ken Colman trained in an SNJ before being assigned to Task Force 77, a group of four aircraft carriers stationed off the northeast coast of Korea. Pointing to the Gladiator patch on the arm of the jacket, Mark said he met some current members of the Gladiators last summer, who are now stationed in Norfolk, Virginia.

The uniform worn on Saturday also included the shirt and pants, complete with the ribbon rack. Colman explained that the ribbons included the Distinguished Flying Cross. Air Medal and Navy Commendation Medal. Mark explained his father earned the medals when he was taking part in a raid on trucks in a valley and spotted some trees that looked out of place. He fired at the trees, which turned out to be ammunition storage, and blew up with flames spewing in the air.

“He flew right through it,” Mark said. “It was like a Hollywood movie.”

Moving to Brantford to marry a Canadian girl, he heard about the Harvards. On the ground after the flight, Mark was raving about it.

“It was really a wonderful experience,” he said. “I got some stick time today and was able to fly the aircraft. It’s something that will stay with me always.”

The next Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association open house and fly day is June 27. These continue through the summer.