NZ978

NZ978 was a later model MkII Harvard (NA76) which entered RNZAF service on 5 January 1942. The paint scheme applied to this aircraft was adopted in April 1942, when, with the rapid advance of the Japanese through Malaya, Singapore, Indonesia and into the North Solomons area, the invasion of New Zealand seemed a distinct possibility. Later in 1942, when after the battles of the Coral Sea and Midway, the Japanese Navy's effectiveness was much reduced and their land advance became bogged down on Guadalcanal, and the threat of invasion seemed over, an increased rate of collisions prompted a return to the earlier colour schemes, except that the height of the fin flash was not restored.

The red side numbers indicate that the aircraft was allocated to the basic training flight (of No 1 Service Flying Trianing School at Harewood). This is the colour scheme applied to the Harvard which you will find in the aircraft hall of the RNZAF Museum. It will be noted from the antenna mast and wire that the NA76 came equipped with HF radio.