Jul 07, 2025 • Last updated Jul 07, 2025 •
Ted Widish (left) of Tillsonburg stands with his daughter-in-law Nancy and her husband Allen Widish of Milton alongside a Harvard aircraft he is helping restore. Photo by Brian Thompson /The Expositor
A group focused on preserving a specific type of Second World War plane that trained many fighter pilots celebrated its 40th anniversary on Saturday.
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The Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association marked this milestone during a July Open House and Fly Day at the Tillsonburg Regional Airport.
“We’re celebrating 40 years of representing the (Royal Canadian Air Force), those who served, and those who gave their lives,” said association president Walter Irie. “It’s also a shout-out to the community that has supported us for four decades and the members who keep the planes in shape. The restoration and maintenance work is a collective effort. We welcome anyone interested to come join us.
“The Harvard was known as the pilot maker,” Irie added. “If you could handle flying the Harvard, then you were ready for combat aircraft like the P-51 Mustang, Spitfire, or P-40. It was the final step in flight training before pilots went off to war.”
The British Commonwealth Air Training Program had several bases across Canada, including locations in Brantford, Aylmer, Dunnville, and St. Thomas, as well as in the UK to safely train pilots from various countries including Canada, Europe, India, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and the United States. A total of 131,553 pilots, navigators, bombers, gunners and flight engineers graduated from this training program.
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The Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association currently operates four airworthy aircraft and has three more under restoration. The organization comprises around 500 paid members globally including pilots and mechanics as well as volunteers and aviation enthusiasts-some even have family members who flew Harvards.
The association also works on locating lost aircraft and airmen from WWII from their facility.
“We found a P-51 Mustang off Picton’s shore (in Lake Ontario),” said Irie. He leads a team that dives to search for missing planes and airmen. “We discovered the wreck in 2022 and recovered some artifacts. The pilot remains at rest with the site; we’re being respectful about it. This year we plan to return to recover the fuselage and hopefully find either his remains or place a marker there.”
A color guard from Branch 153 of the Royal Canadian Legion in Tillsonburg marched along the pavement in front of a row of Harvards to start off the ceremony at 1 p. m., followed by speeches and cake.
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A colour guard from the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 153 Tillsonburg marches in front of a row of Harvard aircraft. Photo by Brian Thompson /The Expositor
“People come for the planes but stay for each other,” former association president Bill Shepard told attendees. “Keeping history alive is one of our goals. It’s crucial that we honor those who flew during such pivotal times.”
Casey Bukowski from Lancaster, N. Y., made it out to this event thanks to his neighbor Amy-Marie Beechler.
Casey Bukowski age101of Lancaster NY salutes during aceremonyatthe40thanniversarycelebrationofthe Canadian Harvard Aircraft Associationon Saturday. Photo by Brian Thompson /The Expositor
The now-101-year-old U. S Army Air Corps veteran served as a gunner on B-17 bombers completing 16 missions before being shot down over Germany where he spent14 months as prisoner-of-war.
“We took him backto Englandforhis99thbirthdaytohisairbaseat Ridgewelloutsideof Cambridge,” Beechler shared.”They took him flyinginthe two-seat Spitfire, and he didsixor sevenvictory rolls. They took him partof79thcommemorationof D-Dayin Normandy, lastyearhe spenthis100thbirthdaythereas well.”
Nancy Widish from Milton along with her husband Allen made what they called “a long overdue visit” where Allen’s father Ted Widish has been volunteering with aircraft restoration at this association for15years now.
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A colour guard from the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 153 Tillsonburg marches in front of a row of Harvard aircraft. Photo by Brian Thompson /The Expositor
“People come for the planes but stay for each other,” former association president Bill Shepard told attendees. “Keeping history alive is one of our goals. It’s crucial that we honor those who flew during such pivotal times.”
Casey Bukowski from Lancaster, N. Y., made it out to this event thanks to his neighbor Amy-Marie Beechler.Casey Bukowski age101of Lancaster NY salutes during aceremonyatthe40thanniversarycelebrationofthe Canadian Harvard Aircraft Associationon Saturday. Photo by Brian Thompson /The Expositor
The now-101-year-old U. S Army Air Corps veteran served as a gunner on B-17 bombers completing 16 missions before being shot down over Germany where he spent14 months as prisoner-of-war.
“We took him backto Englandforhis99thbirthdaytohisairbaseat Ridgewelloutsideof Cambridge,” Beechler shared.”They took him flyinginthe two-seat Spitfire, and he didsixor sevenvictory rolls. They took him partof79thcommemorationof D-Dayin Normandy, lastyearhe spenthis100thbirthdaythereas well.”
Nancy Widish from Milton along with her husband Allen made what they called “a long overdue visit” where Allen’s father Ted Widish has been volunteering with aircraft restoration at this association for15years now.
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