MEDIA PROFILE

“How to use the media profile – Steps 1, 2 and 3.”

1 – This page has been created for anyone promoting the “Wacky Wabbit” AJ841. All the material on this page has been written and researched by Andrew Goodall for public use.

2 – All photography on this page is for advertising and publicity purposes. Please credit the photographer in all cases – Photography is by the highly talented – Piotr Szydło Piotr is not precious about his fantastic photography and encourages you to use it; however, credit is always excellent.

3 – This page’s material is ideal for display commentators and event organisers seeking information and media on the “Wacky Wabbit.” and its airshow pilots. If you require video footage, please click on this page—video footage or contact [email protected] for more information.

About T6 Harvard Aviation Ltd

Warbird Experience (T6 Harvard) company dedicated to keeping G-BJST Harvard MK IV (Nose art “Wacky Wabbit”) airworthy for public displays, Heavy tailwheel conversions, film work and Flying Experiences. The latter is to give pilots and none pilots the experience of flying in an authentic warbird. As custodians of a unique piece of aviation history, we would like to share our passion with others so they can experience the thrills of flying or seeing a warbird up close and personal. These aircraft are not cheap to run, so we have to work her hard. To that end, we always seek opportunities and sponsorship to keep “The Wacky Wabbit” in the air where she belongs.

The History of G-BJST

Harvard G-BJST – was built in 1953 by the Canadian Car and Foundry Company (C&CF) as a model Harvard 4. It was built for the USAF under the Mutual Development Assistance Program (MDAP) due to Military officials calling to introduce legislation to expand suitable military training equipment.

After the North Atlantic defence treaty negotiation, there was a requirement to provide military aid to strengthen member countries against the communist threat in Europe. As part of an order in 1951 by the USAF, aircraft were supplied to the French, German, Italian, Turkish, and other Airforce to help speed up their recovery after world war two. Under contract number AF-20641, two batches of T-6 were manufactured by the CCF. The first batch consisted of 143 aircraft, with 69 going to Italy, 24 to Belgium, and 51 to the French Air Force.

G-BJST gets a makeover

Transformation to AJ841 – T6 Harvard Aviation Ltd Decided in August 2014 to repaint G-BJST in a new colour scheme for 2015 as the current paint looked rather tired. The idea to paint her as a former RAF Desert Air Force (DAF) Andrew Goodall suggested MKII Harvard to the group, and it was agreed. Andrew subsequently acquired sponsorship from RS Paintwork (now Purple Aviation, located at Eshott Airfield), and the transformation began.

Andrew Goodall and Martin Pengelly conducted meticulous research into a Harvard that served in the North Africa campaign with a Duxford connection. AJ 841 was found to have a relationship with Duxford as she saw service with 154 Squadron. Originally 154 Squadron were based just to the West of RAF Duxford at RAF Fowlmere before deploying to the Middle East in 1942. Record cards for 154 Squadron show the squadron Harvard (AJ841) being flown by flying officer DC Dunn from Minnigh (Syria) to Ramat David (Palestine) on February 12th 1944.

AJ841 – AJ841 was also logged with “243 squadrons” on January 11th 1944, flying from “Syria” Allepo to Petah Tiger in Palestine with the pilot named as F/Sgt Ernewein and passenger marked as ‘Self” The return journey was made from Palestine back to Aleppo on the January 16th 1944 this time with the pilot “Self” and the passenger F/Sgt Ernewein. The logbook marked on this page as “243 Squadron Allepo Syria 1944” seems AJ841 had a busy life as a general hack used by many squadrons.

We approached the RAF in 2014, and permission was given for G-BJST to carry now the codes AJ841 and the RAF colours and markings – Then the transformation began!

Transformation to AJ841 – Desert Colours

Harvard AJ841 – AJ841 was shipped directly from the USA to the Middle East on November 23rd, 1941, on the steamship M Livanos, and she was struck off charge on April 25th, 1946. During her time in the Middle East, AJ841 saw service with 74 OTU to train and acclimatise fighter and army cooperation pilots to desert conditions. Records show that Harvard’s in this area were used to convert and continue training pilots to the Hurricane and Spitfire.

The birth of the “Wacky Wabbit.”

Why the “Wacky Wabbit”? – The logo was added purely for marketing purposes. Andrew found the design on the internet on a WW2 patch for sale on eBay. Andrew decided to use the design and colour in the yellow Harvard with British Desert Camouflage. Nothing was known about this badge other than its excellent design and would look nice on the aircraft. By pure chance, Andrew was contacted by Chris Applegarth, whose father was in 5 BFTS in 1945 and had the original design! Unbelievable coincidence!

Provenance – Good evening, Andrew. Sorry for the delay getting back. The badge details were in some of my dad’s old documents. He had a tracing of one. Subsequently, I met several 5 BFTS students who also had their own. They were painted on leather like yours. – Chris Applegarth

Andrew slightly modified the design further and gave it the name “Wacky Wabbit” He wanted to call it “Wicked Wabbit”; however, that was taken by a famous P47 Thunderbolt! The kids love it, and it gives this beautiful Harvard an identity. Andrew comments that he must also give Richard and Sam of Eshott Airfield credit for helping choose the name and convince him to add it to both sides of the Aircraft. And so the Wacky Wabbit was born!

Historical Chronology of G-BJST from 1953

Airframe Family: North American T-6/AT-6/SNJ Texan / Harvard Latest Model: T-6J Texan – Last Military Serial: MM53795 AMI – Construction Number: CCF-4-292 – Last Civil Registration: G-BJST – Latest Owner or Location: T6 Harvard Syndicate
1953 – Constructed as a T-6J by Canadian Car and Foundry at Fort William (Thunder Bay), Ontario, Can.
Built as part of the Mutual Development Assistance Program (MDAP)
Taken on Strength/Charge with the United States Air Force with s/n 51-17110.
S/n issued for administrative purposes only – did not serve with the USAF.
Taken on Strength/Charge with the Aeronautica Militare Italiana with s/n MM53795. Transferred to SCIV (IA Scuola Centrale di Volo) (Central School of Flight Instructors). Markings Applied: SC-66
From December 21st 1981 to July 26th 1994, To Victor Samuel Eric Norman, Gloucs with c/r G-BJST.
From December 21st 1981, to July 26th 1994, Painted as a Zero for the film Empire of the Sun.
From November 5th 1996 to January 2nd 1998, To Gerhard Robert Adolf Schilling.
From January 2nd 1998 to August 31st 2000 To Anette Schilling.
From August 31st 2000 to November 30th 2004, To Tuplin Holdings Ltd.
From November 30th 2004 to February 24th 2005 To Classic Aero Engineering Ltd.
From February 24th 2005 to August 11th 2009 To Peter John Tuplin.
By September 2005, Markings Applied: KF729 Royal Air Force marks worn. Painted in the aircraft’s colour scheme, HRH Prince Philip flew during his advanced training. At that time, his Harvard bore the five stars denoting his rank of Marshal of the Royal Air Force.
From August 11th 2009 to July 22nd 2010, To Classic Aero Engineering Ltd, Thruxton, Hampshire, UK.
From July 22nd 2010, to July 15th 2014 – T6 Harvard Aviation – Partners – Operates with T6 Harvard Aviation Ltd for introduction and Experience flights.
2014 Painted as AJ841 by RS Paintworks at Fishburn – Later Purple Aviation at Eshott Airfield in Northumberland.
2020 March 1st – The Wacky Wabbit went into the ownership of Andrew Goodall, Trustee for T6 Harvard Ltd

Photography downloads

The below Seven high-resolution photographs have been photographed by the incredibly talented – Piotr Szydło Please view his Facebook page. Please download and use it for any T6 Harvard Ltd business with full permission from the photographer.

1 – Pdf file – G-BJST – Diving