North American Hardvard

chrisonord · January 26, 2026, 12:35:27 PM

This aircraft is one of two rebuilt by the engineers of the Uranium mine defence force. Originally handed down from the RAF and used as basic trainers, they did their job adequately. Then the insurgent problem arose and the air wing didn't have, at the time enough aircraft to carry out counter insurgency missions, so plans were made to make the two Harvard, a bit more formidable. The Bristol Hercules engines were sourced from a crashed Super freighter, and the propellers custom made for the job of taming the near 2,000 horsepower the aircraft now had. The wings were rebuilt and strengthened, and two pylons were attached to each, as well as a plumbed centre pylon, which could also carry bombs. The aircraft served well even when newer more capable aircraft were drafted in, as it could fly slow and stay on station for longer than most other aircraft in their service. The aircraft have a pair of external mounted 20 mm cannon and the ammunition is stored internally, typical load out is three 500 lb bombs, 2 rocket pods, and the 2 guns. Kit is the old airfix one in 1/72 scale, with the engine cowl from a Bristol superfreighter, which went on quite easily, just a bit of sanding needed. I have to decal it yet then matt clear coat it. Almost forgot, the prop is from the spares box
PS the name is not a typo, as it's pilots renamed them Hardvard.

Captain Canada · January 26, 2026, 05:02:23 PM

Excellent. Sure looks the part ! Love the name as well.

frank2056 · January 26, 2026, 09:00:22 PM

Great design. I don't know how well a T-6 could handle an engine with 2x the weight and HP, but the switch to a five bladed prop really looks good. Is it from a Sea Fury?

chrisonord · January 27, 2026, 01:30:16 AM

Quote from: frank2056 on January 26, 2026, 09:00:22 PMGreat design. I don't know how well a T-6 could handle an engine with 2x the weight and HP, but the switch to a five bladed prop really looks good. Is it from a Sea Fury?

Cheers, I am not sure what it is off, as it was in a box of bits I acquired a while ago. It has been a fun build for a change too.

Old Wombat · January 27, 2026, 06:17:36 AM

I don't think the Sea Fury (or the Fury, for that matter) had the BMW-style fan in front of the engine but, otherwise, that looks like a Sea Fury cowling & prop (so, presumably, engine).

chrisonord · January 27, 2026, 07:29:38 AM

Quote from: Old Wombat on January 27, 2026, 06:17:36 AMI don't think the Sea Fury (or the Fury, for that matter) had the BMW-style fan in front of the engine but, otherwise, that looks like a Sea Fury cowling & prop (so, presumably, engine).

The cowl is from a Bristol superfreighter, hence the Bristol Hercules engine.

chrisonord · February 04, 2026, 05:49:42 AM

All finished and loaded up to upset some insurgents. I wish more of my recent builds went together so well.

NARSES2 · February 05, 2026, 01:41:13 AM

Looks good mate. She suits that "sleeker" cowl and 5 bladed prop'

zenrat · February 05, 2026, 03:11:08 AM

Good job mate.

chrisonord · February 05, 2026, 05:06:50 AM

Cheers everyone

jcf · February 05, 2026, 07:40:20 PM

The Hercules 734 engine alone at 2,115 lbs is half the 4,158 lb empty weight of a T-6G.
Replacing the 865 lb R-1340 with the 734 gives an empty weight of 5,408 lbs, an increase
of 1,250 lbs. Note that the weight of the 734 is just the engine, not all of the ancillaries of
the power egg, the propeller* and everything else involved in the installation, total installed
weight is probably well over 2,500 lbs. The steel tube structure of the T-6 would have to be
heavily beefed up to prevent the weight of the new engine from just tearing it apart. The amount
of ballast required in the rear fuselage of the Hardvard needed to compensate would probably
collapse the landing gear. One way to compensate would be to extend the length of the fuselage,
as the rear fuselage bolts to the centre fuselage the easiest way would be to increase the length
of the centre fuselage, make it a three-seater.

The increase of power from 600hp take-off rating to 1,980hp also wouldn't make the aircraft
much faster as it's top speed is limited by the airframe design.

*The propeller weight is the joker in engine swaps because it's very rarely listed in published
engine specifications. Increasing the number of blades increases complexity and the two
combine to increase weight. Go to contra-props and the weight jumps.

Hercules 734 power egg from a Superfreighter.
You cannot view this attachment.

chrisonord · February 07, 2026, 04:57:44 AM

I just build models for fun, and nit picking facts far from out weigh something that works in Plastic. That is what this forum is about yes?

PR19_Kit · February 07, 2026, 06:39:35 AM

It CERTAINLY is Chris, and some seem to forget that at times....................

kitbasher · February 07, 2026, 08:34:27 AM

The longer cowling certainly makes for prettier Harvard.

The Harvard/Texan used a 600 hp Pratt & Whitney R-1340 Wasp.

The A-27 that was derived from the T-6 had a 745 hp Wright R-1820 Cyclone which looks like it was housed in the same cowling.

Now I wonder whether a T-6 could feasibly tote an R-1830 Twin Wasp in a PBY/DC-3/TBD style cowling?

chrisonord · February 07, 2026, 08:38:59 AM

Quote from: kitbasher on February 07, 2026, 08:34:27 AMThe longer cowling certainly makes for prettier Harvard.

The Harvard/Texan used a 600 hp Pratt & Whitney R-1340 Wasp.

The A-27 that was derived from the T-6 had a 745 hp Wright R-1820 Cyclone which looks like it was housed in the same cowling.

Now I wonder whether a T-6 could feasibly tote an R-1830 Twin Wasp in a PBY/DC-3/TBD style cowling?

As the age old saying goes, if it fits it sits.

Model building is one of the few things that I can enjoy doing these days, as I struggle with fishing and shooting these days, so keeping the grey matter sharp keeps me going, and there aren't many as surgically sharp as you Kit