Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association

05/25/2026

Join us Saturday, May 30, from 9am-4pm, for the first Open House and Fly Day of our 2026 season! This FREE Admission family-friendly outdoor event offers aviation enthusiasts the opportunity to see our collection of Harvard aircraft up close, tour our hangars, explore our restoration projects, purchase souvenirs, and best of all, go for a flight! (additional cost for flights). Come explore North America's largest fleet of Harvard aircraft and what the volunteers are doing to keep the history and legacy of these WWII warbirds alive.

While pre-booking flight experiences is not necessary, it is recommended. Contact [email protected] to ensure your seat.

RAIN DATE: May 31 (In case of inclement weather, check our page for updates.)

05/25/2026

Join us this Saturday, May 30, from 9am-4pm, for our first Open House and Fly Day of our 2026 season!

This FREE Admission family-friendly outdoor event offers aviation enthusiasts the opportunity to see our collection of Harvard aircraft up close, tour our hangars, explore our restoration projects, purchase souvenirs, and best of all, go for a flight! (additional cost for flights).

Come explore the largest fleet of Harvard aircraft in North America and see what our volunteers are doing to keep the history and legacy of these WWII warbirds alive.

While pre-booking flight experiences is not necessary, it is recommended. Contact [email protected] to ensure your seat.

RAIN DATE: May 31 (In case of inclement weather, check this page for updates.)

05/20/2026

As promised, here is the interview we did with John Scott Cowan, longtime owner of C-FHWX before it was acquired by CHAA in 1986 as the first association-owned aircraft.

John Scott Cowan, a Life Member of the Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association (CHAA), was the owner of Harvard C-FHWX for 22 years before it was acquired by C...

05/12/2026

We were delighted to have a special visitor today. Dr. John Scott Cowan was the previous owner of Harvard AJ583 / C-FHWX before it was acquired by CHAA. Watch for an upcoming link to an interview Terry Scott did with John as we learn more about "HWX", the first aircraft acquired after CHAA was officially formed.

05/01/2026

Our Annual Fundraising Banquet took place last weekend at the Tillsonburg Legion Hall, and another great evening it was! The 100 guests supported our organization by participating in silent and live auctions and other fundraising activities. Guests enjoyed a great presentation by our guest speaker, Karl Kjarsgaard, a historian all the way from Alberta's Bomber Command Museum. Thank you to Karl for making the trip to us. We'd also like to thank Oxford County MPP Ernie Hardeman for joining us and for his kind words and ongoing support of CHAA. And to our very own Pat Hanna, for continuing to organize this yearly event, and all the volunteers who help bring it together.

Our banquet is open to all, so feel free to join us next year!

Photos by Gus & Clara, and Diane Lawrence.

04/21/2026

An exciting and successful day!

The aircraft replica has been perched on the roof of the store at 666 Victoria St. N. since 1997.

04/21/2026

An exciting and successful day today!

The aircraft replica has been perched on the roof of the store at 666 Victoria St. N. since 1997.

04/21/2026

An exciting and successful day today!

The aircraft replica has been perched on the roof of the store at 666 Victoria St. N. since 1997.

04/19/2026

A very special event is happening tomorrow, Monday, April 20. For those who are familiar with the K-W Surplus store in Kitchener, you may be aware of the full-size model Second World War Spitfire aircraft that is perched on its roof. That Spitfire, which has called K-W Surplus its home since 1997 is being removed tomorrow and finding a new home at the Tillsonburg Regional Airport!

Store owner, Ray Whittemore, is a long-time active member of the Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association and has generously donated the airplane to CHAA.

CHAA, in turn, will offer the replica aircraft to be the focal point of a new Memorial Garden on the airport grounds, giving the Spitfire a new home atop a new pedestal. The Memorial Garden will be constructed and maintained by a Committee made up of representatives from CHAA, the airport, the Town of Tillsonburg, local organizations and residents.

The Garden will pay tribute to the Canadian Armed Forces, the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), the Coast Guard, Merchant Marines, the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP), and two past presidents of the Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association: Former Second World War Royal Canadian Air Force Flight Lieutenant Charley Fox, and Canadian Astronaut Bjarni Tryggvason.

Tillsonburg artist Stella Jurgen has created an artist rendition of the new Memorial Garden layout that will include a plaque, benches and engraved bricks that donors can purchase.

Fundraising will take place to help with expenses incurred from the removal and transport of the model aircraft, its repair and repainting, plus the design and creation of the Memorial Garden, including the pole mount structure and installation of the aircraft atop it.

Making a donation to the Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association is one way to contribute. Donors can visit our Canada Helps page (search Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association) or reach out to us at [email protected].

Top photo: Artist rendition of new Memorial Garden.
Lower photos: Spitfire atop of K-W Surplus store in Kitchener.

01/31/2026

A few of our members are attending the Northeast Council of Air Shows industry conference this weekend. This annual event is a great opportunity to learn and network in order to innovate and improve our offerings to our members and guests.
ICAS - International Council of Air Shows