FK729 - What is it?

[Smiler.]

I've seen this particular mono plane a few times - silver with RAF markings, piston engined & retractable landing gear.

Might be flying from White Waltham or Wycombe.

Anyone know what it is?

[Eric Mc]

Sounds like it might be a Harvard. However, the RAF serial FK729 was allocated to a Lockheed Hudson patrol aircraft in WW2 which has long since gone to the aircraft scrapyard in the sky.

Hudson




Harvard

Edited by Eric Mc on Thursday 24th September 12:56

[Smiler.]

It's a Harvard - those wheels are quite distinctive

Are they a modern? RAF trainer?

[Eric Mc]

Very un-modern

The Harvard dates back to the 1930s. They were one of the first products built by North American Aviation Inc and were ordered in massive numbers during WW2 by the RAF, the US Army Air Force and the US Navy. The RAF called them Harvards, the US Army the T-6 Texan and the US Navy, the SNJ.

After WW2, thousands became surplus and many were snapped up by smnaller nations as basic trainers. The RAF continued to use them into the early 60s. There may be a couple of air arms still using them. Most of the survivors are now in private ownership and many have been restored in historic military colours.

[perdu]

It's a pity the Hudson didnt survive though

I do rather like them, those twin tail twin engined Lockheed types

[anonymous-user]

Yep, my Grandfather used to be ground crew during WW2 on a Coastal Command Squadron. I think it was 206. I remember my Grandfather talking about Hudsons, B17's and B-24 Liberators.

The B-17's were a stop gap, until replaced by the Liberators. Coastal Command had to make do with Aircraft like the Hudson until they got more heavy weight aircraft. I have a photo of him in front of one of the B-17's, which I was informed was taken in the Azores circa 1942. I have even found the history of the plane and found that an engine survives at a museum in Doncaster IIRC.