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    This page documents a history of a specific aircraft. The details provided vary from aircraft to aircraft and are dependent on the research and amount of data uploaded to the Aerial Visuals database.

    Airframe Family: North American T-6/AT-6/SNJ Texan / Harvard
    Latest Model:Harvard II
    Last Military Serial:2970 RCAF
    Construction Number:66-2703
    Last Civil Registration:N97AW
    Compressed ID:NA Harvard II sn 2970 RCAF cn 66-27...
    Latest Owner or Location:Thomas A. Dwelle, Auburn, CA

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    Dates

    Event

    Constructed as a Harvard II.

    17 March 1941

    Taken on Strength/Charge with the Royal Canadian Air Force with s/n 2970.

    Transferred to No. 6 Service Flying Training School, Dunnville, ON.

    Fitted with dunlop firing gear.

    2 June 1941

    Damaged.
    Evaluated as Category C.

    17 October 1960

    Struck off Strength/Charge from the Royal Canadian Air Force.

    Transferred to Crown Assets Disposal Corporation.
    Sent to CADC for sale.

    From By 1969 to By 1972

    To Jack Briggs, Prineville, OR with new c/r N9799Z.

    From 11 September 1973 to 16 September 1973

    Raced as #97.
    Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the T-6 class. The primary pilot was Gordon Richardson. Qualified in 23rd place with an average speed of 189.47 mph.

    Circa 11 September 1973


    Photographer: Betty Mott
    Notes: Photographed at the National Championship Air Races at Stead Field near Reno, NV.

    From 10 September 1974 to 15 September 1974

    Raced as #97, named Prop-erLady.
    Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the T-6 class. The primary pilot was Gary Meermans. Qualified in 18th place with an average speed of 192.17 mph. Raced in the Make-Up race. Finished in 4th place with an average speed of 188.54 mph.

    Circa 10 September 1974


    Photographer: Betty Mott
    Notes: Photographed at the National Championship Air Races at Stead Field near Reno, NV.

    From 9 September 1975 to 14 September 1975

    Raced as #97.
    Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the T-6 class. The primary pilot was Gary Meermans. Qualified in 15th place with an average speed of 199.26 mph. Raced in the Make-Up race. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 199.75 mph.

    From By 1976 to By 1986

    To Gary J. Meermans, Long Beach, CA with new c/r N97GM.

    From 13 September 1977 to 18 September 1977

    Raced as #97.
    Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the T-6 class. The primary pilot was Gary Meermans from Long Beach, CA. Qualified in 13th place with an average speed of 203.01 mph. Raced in Heat B. Finished in 5th place with an average speed of 200.93 mph. Raced in the Make-Up race. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 206.24 mph. Raced in the Reserve race. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 210.87 mph.

    From 14 September 1982 to 19 September 1982

    Raced as #97.
    Attended the National Championship Air Races, but did not compete in the T-6 class and it is uncertain if there was an intent to compete.

    12 September 1983


    Photographer: Unknown
    Notes: Photographed at the Reno Air Races.

    Circa 10 September 1984


    Photographer: Unknown
    Notes: Photographed at the Reno Air Races at Stead Field near Reno, NV.

    August 1986

    To Bruce Redding/Apexxco Inc, Canby, OR with new c/r N97AW.

    From 15 August 1986 to 17 August 1986

    Raced as #97.
    Competed at the Richland Air Races in the T-6 class. The primary pilot was Bruce Redding from Reno, NV. Qualified in 10th place with an average speed of 216.027 mph. Raced in Heat 1B. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 216.683 mph. Raced in the Championship race. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 218.219 mph.

    From 8 September 1986 to 14 September 1986

    Raced as #97, named After You II.
    Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the T-6 class. The primary pilot was Bruce Redding. Qualified in 15th place with an average speed of 210.219 mph. Raced in Heat 1A. Finished in 4th place with an average speed of 212.109 mph. Raced in the Reserve race. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 209.781 mph.

    1987

    To Thomas A. Dwelle, Auburn, CA keeping c/r N97AW.

    From By 1987 to By 2004

    To James W. Bennett, Euless, TX.

    From 14 September 1987 to 20 September 1987

    Raced as #97, named TINKER TOY.
    Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the T-6 class. The primary pilot was Tom Dwelle. Qualified in 10th place with an average speed of 216.292 mph. Raced in Heat 1A. Finished in 6th place with an average speed of 210.895 mph.

    From 12 September 1988 to 18 September 1988

    Raced as #7, named TINKER TOY.
    Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the T-6 class. The primary pilot was Tom Dwelle. Qualified in 2nd place with an average speed of 228.024 mph. Raced in Heat 1B. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 224.682 mph. Raced in Heat 2C. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 229.917 mph.

    Circa 12 September 1988


    Photographer: Charlene Aro
    Notes: Photographed at the National Championship Air Races at Stead Field near Reno, Nevada.

    From 11 September 1989 to 17 September 1989

    Raced as #7, named Tinker Toy.
    Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the T-6 class. The primary pilot was Tom Dwelle. Qualified in 2nd place with an average speed of 228.773 mph. Raced in Heat 1B. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 223.034 mph. Raced in Heat 2C. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 231.131 mph. Raced in the Championship race. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 222.326 mph.

    8 February 1990

    Certificate of airworthiness for NX97AW (HARVARD MKII, 66-2703) issued.

    From 17 September 1990 to 23 September 1990

    Raced as #7, named Tinker Toy.
    Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the T-6 class. The primary pilot was Tom Dwelle. Qualified in 2nd place with an average speed of 226.161 mph. Raced in Heat 1B. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 233.323 mph. Raced in Heat 2C. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 226.566 mph. Raced in the Championship race. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 229.264 mph.

    From 12 September 1994 to 18 September 1994

    Raced as #37, named TINKERTOY.
    Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the T-6 class. The primary pilot was James Bennett from Euless, TX. Qualified in 7th place with an average speed of 227.335 mph. Raced in Heat 1A. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 219.180 mph. Raced in Heat 2D. Finished in 6th place with an average speed of 195.904 mph. Raced in Heat 2B. Finished in 5th place with an average speed of 217.082 mph.

    From 11 September 1995 to 17 September 1995

    Raced as #37, named Tinker Toy.
    Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the T-6 class. The primary pilot was Jim Bennett. Qualified in 16th place with an average speed of 185.196 mph. Raced in Heat 1A. Finished in 4th place with an average speed of 218.285 mph. Raced in Heat 2C. Finished in 4th place with an average speed of 213.207 mph. Raced in the Consolation race. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 221.956 mph.

    From 9 September 1996 to 15 September 1996

    Raced as #37, named TIKER TOY.
    Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the T-6 class. The primary pilot was Jim Bennett. Qualified in 8th place with an average speed of 217.114 mph. Raced in Heat 1B. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 212.456 mph. Raced in Heat 2C. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 218.222 mph. Raced in the Championship race. Finished in 6th place with an average speed of 207.572 mph.

    Circa 9 September 1996


    Photographer: Unknown
    Notes: Photographed at the Reno Air Races.

    From 8 September 1997 to 14 September 1997

    Raced as #37, named Tinker Toy.
    Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the T-6 class. The primary pilot was Jim Bennett from Euless, TX. Qualified in 8th place with an average speed of 218.407 mph. Raced in Heat 1B. Finished in 4th place with an average speed of 198.739 mph. Raced in Heat 2D. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 214.424 mph. Raced in Heat 2C. Finished in 4th place with an average speed of 222.553 mph. Raced in the Consolation race. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 219.846 mph.

    From 14 September 1998 to 20 September 1998

    Raced as #37, named Tinker Toy.
    Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the T-6 class. The primary pilot was Jim Bennett from Euless, TX. Qualified in 8th place with an average speed of 222.161 mph. Raced in Heat 1A. Finished in 4th place with an average speed of 201.747 mph. Raced in Heat 2B. Finished in 6th place with an average speed of 214.813 mph. Raced in the Consolation race. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 221.586 mph.

    From 13 September 1999 to 19 September 1999

    Raced as #37, named TINKER TOY.
    Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the T-6 class. The primary pilot was Jim Bennett from Euless, TX. Qualified in 7th place with an average speed of 224.972 mph. Raced in Heat 1A. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 217.099 mph. Raced in Heat 2B. Finished in 5th place with an average speed of 195.126 mph. Raced in the Consolation race. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 222.304 mph.

    From 11 September 2000 to 17 September 2000

    Raced as #37, named Tinker Toy.
    Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the T-6 class. The primary pilot was Jim Bennett from Euless, TX. Qualified in 5th place with an average speed of 221.665 mph. Raced in Heat 1C. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 214.000 mph. Raced in Heat 2B. Finished in 5th place with an average speed of 212.620 mph. Raced in the Consolation race. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 218.484 mph.

    December 2004

    To Thomas A. Dwelle, Auburn, CA keeping c/r N97AW.

    From 10 September 2007 to 16 September 2007

    Raced as #7, named Tinker Toy.
    Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the T-6 class. The primary pilot was Tom A Dwelle from Auburn, CA. Qualified in 9th place with an average speed of 224.916 mph. Raced in Heat 1B. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 225.267 mph. Raced in the Consolation race. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 225.774 mph.

    16 September 2007


    Photographer: Robin MORET
    Notes: Reno Air Races 2007

    1 January 2008

    Certificate of airworthiness for NX97AW (HARVARD MKII, 66-2703) issued.

    From 8 September 2008 to 14 September 2008

    Raced as #7, named Tinker Toy.
    Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the T-6 class. The primary pilot was Ken Dwelle from Auburn, CA. Qualified in 2nd place with an average speed of 239.203 mph. Raced in Heat 1A. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 236.411 mph. Raced in Heat 2B. Finished in 4th place with an average speed of 227.608 mph. Raced in the Championship race. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 244.523 mph.

    11 September 2010


    Photographer: Mike Henniger

    13 July 2013


    Photographer: Mike Henniger
    Notes: Photographed at the Nevada County Air Fest.

    13 July 2013


    Photographer: Mike Henniger
    Notes: Photographed at the Nevada County Air Fest.

    28 July 2017


    Photographer: Mike Henniger
    Notes: Photographed at the Nevada County Air Fest in Grass Valley, CA.

    15 September 2023


    Photographer: Mike Henniger
    Notes: Photographed at the National Championship Air Races at Stead Field, near Reno, NV.

    15 September 2023


    Photographer: Mike Henniger
    Notes: Photographed at the National Championship Air Races at Stead Field, near Reno, NV.
    Credits
     Data for airframe dossiers come from various sources. The following were used to compile this dossier...
    Print Sources
     Warbirds Directory, 5th Edition by Geoff Goodall
    Internet Sources
     Canadian Military Aircraft Serial Numbers by Brian Walker
    Federal Aviation Administration in the United States of America
    National Air Racing Group
    Reno Air Racing Association (National Championship Air Races)
    Individual Contributors
     Mike Henniger
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