The Harvard Club of South Africa

Operators of the North American Harvard in South Africa

The Harvard Club of South Africa logo

Hereditas Nostra Our Heritage

The History of the Harvard Club of South Africa

The idea of a Harvard Club originated in The South African Air Force Association (SAAFA) during 1988-89. The aim was to recruit members for SAAFA by grouping together airmen involved with the North American Harvard since 1940. The Club was officially launched at Central Flying School (CFS) Dunnottar in 1990, during the Harvard 50th anniversary celebrations.

During the weekend 86 members were enrolled of which 52 joined SAAFA as well. The plan was to get all these Harvardites together annually for a braai and story telling regarding the years of Harvard operations in the SAAF.

In 1991, the SAAF announced that the Harvard was to be phased out and replaced by the Pilatus PC 9, this would result in CFS, moving to AFB Langebaanweg in Cape Town. It was realised that these wonderful aircraft, the schoolmaster of the air and the backbone of training pilots for the SAAF, would be lost to foreign collectors and traders. Negotiations with the SAAF, Command Council and the Department of Defence was initiated in order to preserve South Africa's Aviation Heritage.

Motivations, bargaining and threats were formulated and lobbied to all parties concerned. The then Chief of the Air Force, Lieutenant-General James Kriel, supported the request and formulated the contract, altering the request for 4 Harvards to 10. The fact that the Deputy Minister of Defence, Wynand Breytenbach, flew Harvards, while in the SAAF, promoted the plan in the Higher circles.

During 1992/3 the Club was issued with a range of Harvard numbers that would be available to the club. Together with W.O.I AJ vd Walt, certain aircraft were selected and accepted to be earmarked for the Harvard Club of South Africa. Members were approached for financial support as the prospect of receiving 10 Harvards to operate and preserve was frightening. 21 Members came to light with donations of R1000-00 each and so the Club assured its finance base.

The first three Harvards were officially handed over by the CAF, to the chairman during a function held at AFB Swartkop in 1994. Harvards 7028 7512 and 7643 were flown over to Jan Smuts International Airport where SAA Technical would carry out the inspections and reregister the aircraft on the civilian register.

Eleven registrations ZU-AOO to ZU-AOZ were reserved for the Harvards. During 1994/1995 the other 7 aircraft were delivered to the Harvard Club.

Once all the birds were in the nest, with the co-operation of Colonel Tony Smit, WOI AT vd Walt, Reg Rivers and myself, A.W. de Klerk, the history of the 10 aircraft was traced and registered. The application, with full history of each aircraft was forwarded to the National Museums Council, requesting that these aircraft be certified as National Heritage items. The main motivation being the preservation of Our Aviation Heritage and assuring these aircraft were never to leave the Republic of South Africa and preserved for the future generations. The application was successful to the great joy of all.

After completion of the first three aircraft inspections at SAA, the Harvards were flown to Springs airfield where the Club managed to lease a hangar from where the operation would take place. Members' contributions and introductory flights made available to the public, kept the operation rolling. With the SAAF 75 celebrations, ZU-AOR, was painted in the official SAAF 75 colours as a token of appreciation for the assistance in obtaining these aircraft.

Via an American company, the Club ventured into “Sky Typing” in order to gain funds to maintain and preserve the Harvards.

In May 1996, three Harvards entered into the first pylon race competition, held at FALY, with one of the Club Harvards, winning the event.

Various air shows, fly-ins and formations were performed in the years to follow. In 1998 a Harvard spares package was bought from the SAAF to keep the aircraft flying. The funding was and still is funded by the Club by various methods of raising funds.

During 1999, the idea of turning AFB Swartkop into SA’s Duxford, (a flying museum) an offer was made from the SAAF to move the Club from Springs to Swartkop. All official permissions were obtained and the move took place during 2000. Once settled the motivation was directed to renovation and servicing, concentrating on engine overhauls.

The Harvard Club of South Africa remains located at AFB SWKP and the future looks good as many enthusiasts, including the younger generation, labours and spends time at the Club, preserving our Heritage.

The Harvard Club offer the following:

Introductory flights for new members
Type rating conversions
Formation training
Fly-pasts for special events (company team building)
Air show events (where sponsored)
Sale of Harvard related memorabilia

For further information visit The Harvard Club of South Africa website

A.W. de Klerk OSAAFA
10 April 2007

The aircraft of The Harvard Club of South Africa

Click on C/N to go to individual aircraft page with more photos and information about that aircraft.

Model	SAAF	Civil Reg	C/N	Comments	Aircraft name
Mk. 11 A	7024	ZU-AOO	88-9958
Mk. 11 A	7028	ZU-AOP	88-10536
Mk. 11 A	7059	ZU-AOR	88-9283	Painted in special colours in 1995 to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the SAAF. Named after the wife of the Chief of the Air Force General James Kriel.	Nellie
Mk. 11 A	7152	ZU-AOS	88-10008	Damaged (crashed Stellenbosch. Repairable)
Mk. 11 A	7156	ZU-AOT	88-9922	Destroyed (crashed Pietersburg)
	7659	ZU-AOU	88-15277
Mk. 11 A	7306	ZU-AOV	88-12070
Mk. 111	7592	ZU-AOW	88-15799	Severely damaged (crashed Fly-in) Perhaps repairable at great cost.
AT-6A	7643	ZU-AOX	78-7140
AT-6A	7661	ZU-AOY	78-4698	Disassembled at Swartkop for extensive restoration
Mk. 11 A	7166	ZU-AOZ	88-10572