Harvard experience flights
Discussion
Hi all – I’m looking at a warbird experience flight in a Harvard – reason being my Grandad was a flying instructor during WW2 based in Canada and taught pilots to fly in one (albeit the T6 over there) – he loved that aircraft and never stopped going on about how lovely it was to fly etc and I really would love to experience this myself.
As such, looking online I have found a couple near me – the standard classic wings (https://www.classic-wings.co.uk/warbird-t6-harvard-flights/) at £540 for a 30 minute flight.
However, I’ve also found another outfit – Anglian Flight Centres (https://www.anglianflightcentres.co.uk/training-courses/harvard-at6-iia-warbird/) – who offer an 80 minute (50 minute flight time) for £530.
Does anyone know of this company and how the 2 experiences may differ? It would be great to obviously have a little hands on time but also to feel some loops and barrel rolls etc and see what the aircraft can really do.
I’m between Bedford and Cambridge so any other recommendations?
As such, looking online I have found a couple near me – the standard classic wings (https://www.classic-wings.co.uk/warbird-t6-harvard-flights/) at £540 for a 30 minute flight.
However, I’ve also found another outfit – Anglian Flight Centres (https://www.anglianflightcentres.co.uk/training-courses/harvard-at6-iia-warbird/) – who offer an 80 minute (50 minute flight time) for £530.
Does anyone know of this company and how the 2 experiences may differ? It would be great to obviously have a little hands on time but also to feel some loops and barrel rolls etc and see what the aircraft can really do.
I’m between Bedford and Cambridge so any other recommendations?
The Anglian one does seem better value, but you'd have to find out from both operations about the flight limits or not to see what the differences are.
Clearly you are getting more time in the air with one than the other. Why there is such a disparity between costs per minute flying time between the two operations though is interesting.
Obviously, Classic Wings is closer to you than Earls Colne is, and the Classic Wings T-6 is painted up pretty much in a similar scheme to what your Grandad would have flown, if that's a particular aspect for you?
Clearly you are getting more time in the air with one than the other. Why there is such a disparity between costs per minute flying time between the two operations though is interesting.
Obviously, Classic Wings is closer to you than Earls Colne is, and the Classic Wings T-6 is painted up pretty much in a similar scheme to what your Grandad would have flown, if that's a particular aspect for you?
aeropilot said:
The Anglian one does seem better value, but you'd have to find out from both operations about the flight limits or not to see what the differences are.
Clearly you are getting more time in the air with one than the other. Why there is such a disparity between costs per minute flying time between the two operations though is interesting.
Obviously, Classic Wings is closer to you than Earls Colne is, and the Classic Wings T-6 is painted up pretty much in a similar scheme to what your Grandad would have flown, if that's a particular aspect for you?
Thank you for that, I agree on the Anglian one and the extra 20 minutes is a big consideration though I think a call may be in order to check Clearly you are getting more time in the air with one than the other. Why there is such a disparity between costs per minute flying time between the two operations though is interesting.
Obviously, Classic Wings is closer to you than Earls Colne is, and the Classic Wings T-6 is painted up pretty much in a similar scheme to what your Grandad would have flown, if that's a particular aspect for you?
Whilst the yellow trainer is more appealing from a memorial aspect, it's more the actual experience of flying I'm looking forward to.
Check out www.t6harvard.com you can fly in "Wacky Wabbit" and there's a choice of different experiences from a basic 20 minute flight to a full blown 40 minute aerobatic one. They're quite local too. One option is flights from Old Warden on some display days. I quite fancy doing this myself.
left field option if you fancy coming on tour a bit - Compton Abbas also has a T6 - the surrounding scenery is obviously stunning....
Put my old man in the tiger moth that was there (a couple of days before it went down - RIP) and he thought the experience be best he'd had, an that included a few in the states....
Put my old man in the tiger moth that was there (a couple of days before it went down - RIP) and he thought the experience be best he'd had, an that included a few in the states....
My business partner did the Duxford one this weekend just gone, I’d got him it for his 50th.
It was infact the Earls Colne aircraft, and part of the flight had a Spitfire come alongside for 10 mins.
I also got one of my lads a go in it from Earls Colne, to celebrate him being with me for 15 yrs, that was a good flight.
Myself, I’ve done the warbirds in Florida flights in 2010, really recommend.
Sorry, not much help there as all 3 were really good experiences.
It was infact the Earls Colne aircraft, and part of the flight had a Spitfire come alongside for 10 mins.
I also got one of my lads a go in it from Earls Colne, to celebrate him being with me for 15 yrs, that was a good flight.
Myself, I’ve done the warbirds in Florida flights in 2010, really recommend.
Sorry, not much help there as all 3 were really good experiences.
Not local to you, absolutely appreciated, but the venue at Goodwood is very nicely done,something to consider if you’re bringing guests for lunch afterwards. The Goodwood flight club have their own Harvard available. Also based at Goodwood are the Boultbee Academy ( I think they are just changing names to something Spitfire orientated) who have their own Texan, and the two seat Spitfire. You can go up with the Spitfire via Boultbee if that’s your thing. We’ve just paid for my FIL to do the Spitfire trip, and my MIL is due to go in the Harvard. Boultbee also offer some very good 360 degree video packages to capture your flight. Enjoy with whatever you decide, but please report back and let us know how it went.
There's a Stearman that you can fly in from Goodwood as well, which is on my 'to do' list although next year now. Really want to sample an open cockpit flight, and a flight from Gooders over the harbour/coast areas south of Gooders really appeals. Always wanted to fly in a Stearman from childhood from first seeing that clip in Tora Tora Tora nearly 50 years ago, when that Stearman gets overtaken by the attacking Japanese and the female instructor takes over and pulls and over and dives away........ 
Thanks all - this is basically me finding my own Xmas present form the wife
Think i like the Earls Colne one best, mainly because of the additional 20 mins flying time.
Wacky Rabbit would be good, especially the WW2 fighter experience but I want to actually enjoy the flight rather than risk feeling sick the first time
Think i like the Earls Colne one best, mainly because of the additional 20 mins flying time.
Wacky Rabbit would be good, especially the WW2 fighter experience but I want to actually enjoy the flight rather than risk feeling sick the first time
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