BCATP 75th Anniversary Fly-In
a Memorable Event in 2014

By Gord McNulty, CAHS Vice President 
As COVID-19 continues to hamper aviation this spring, it’s good to recall better times. A colourful reunion of British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP) aircraft at the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum (CWHM) on May 31, 2014 is worth recalling.  

The Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association (CHAA) sent two Harvard Mk.IIs and the Yale, 3399/C-GLJH to the CWHM at Hamilton International Airport to mark the 75th Anniversary of the BCATP, established in 1939.  Sunny skies and mild temperatures ensured ideal conditions as an array of resplendent trainers exemplified by the Harvard, Yale, Tiger Moth, Fleet Finch, Cornell, Stearman and more – converged at the museum to join the CWHM’s BCATP-era planes.  
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Aircraft flew in from across southern Ontario, with representation from the Tiger Boys in Guelph, the Canadian Historical Aircraft Association in Windsor and the Edenvale Classic Aircraft Foundation, as well as the CHAA and individual pilots. Alf Beam of Fort Erie, who brought his Harvard Mk II, 2591/C-FMTA, was among participants. 
What an impressive sight. The trainers were lined up on the tarmac to the delight of photographers who had excellent opportunities for photographs from the museum observation deck. In one of the most noteworthy displays, the CHAA Yale was parked next to a CWHM Yale, 3400/N129DB.  
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