1, Thought would do daily thread revisiting restoration IAF Harvard from Delhi hanger (left) to ops in Vintage Flt (me flying to RAF Brize Norton for collecting by IAF C17) like I did for IAF Tigermoth at start of lockdown.@zone5aviation @Chopsyturvey @ReviewVayu @warbirdsindia 
2. Our IAF Harvard was shipped same time as our Tigermoth but Harvard required far more dismantling in Palam first. The fuselage had to be removed from the centre section.
3. And so the IAF Harvard was dismantled, fuselage places on bespoke wheeled cradle and loaded into a container (Tigermoth at same time in 2nd container) at Palam and onto the high seas bound for UK.
3.1 It was Adam's 1st visit to India. Was excited, and little concerned to see monkeys swinging inside hanger. "Don't worry they are harmless. That is what can kill you if it falls" said helpful corporal pointing to the most enormous Hornets nest in roof directly above.
4. After the sea journey the IAF Harvard (and Tigermoth) arrived in UK for total restoration. The bespoke fuselage wheeled frame was excellent innovation. No monkeys in the hanger here!
5. After every part, every nut and bolt removed this is what is left. The fuselage frame of the IAF Harvard. NDT then repainted.
5. Underside of the IAF Harvard. Bottom stress panels removed. Fuel tanks and all hydraulic pipework and actuators removed. Several ribs and stringers replaced then painted in primer again.
6.Wing sections outboard of centre section and rear fuselage being stripped and worked on. Some skin de-rivet with stringers replaced on IAF Harvard. All components overhauled. One enormous jigsaw.
7. Most amazing part of the IAF Harvard restoration for me. The signatures of the women who originally built the aircraft in Canada. Found when we removed the turtle deck behind the canopy. Lacquered, replaced and still flying.
8. IAF Harvard wings opened up and repaired, painted and prepared. Control surfaces also then off for re-fabricing. Then it was time for reassembly
9. With u/c fitted to IAF Harvard centre section, fuselage frame fixed to centre section, firewall and engine mount fitted, oil tank (in yellow) fitted,, these big pieces seemed to make progress zoom ahead but there was still a long long way to go.
10. With a restored and painted tail cone and fin fitted the IAF Harvard started to take shape.
11. Original engine restored and attached to IAF Harvard. It started to take shape.
12. Assembly of the instrument panels in the IAF Harvard was started. Majority were the originals restored. A few were replaced with other original Harvard parts
13. We were close to engine runs. Rudder trim cabling the biggest nightmare! Design is for outer wings to be (fairly) easily removed/fitted.Putting into context, we started IAF Tigermoth at same time but by now I had long since flown it in 80th anniversary and trained IAF pilots.
14.IAF Harvard cockpit was completed and wings fitted to centre section
15. The wings of the IAF Harvard went on. Then the roar of that Pratt and Whitney back to life. There was plenty of other jobs to finished but once completed we were ready to............
16. Restoration was complete. First time since 1989 the IAF was back in the sky. This time from Leicester but the story is far from over.............
Shake down flights completed I took IAF Harvard to RAF Brize Norton for a rendezvous with IAF C17 that wouldn't have worked without @Gessbee help. Epilogue in Spitfire Singh: #EnfieldBullet then piloting 777 to London, motorbike to Leicester then this flight to Brize. Busy day😁
18. Our arrival in RAF Brize Norton had a special escort. 2 of the @RAFBBMF Spitfires. Then it was down to work. Preparations for loading into the IAF C17. We had a brief time window.
19. In a hangar at RAF Brize Norton we took the wings off the IAF Harvard. End plates bolted onto the wing roots for protection. The IAF were on their way........
20. And that is a view of an IAF C17 at an RAF base from the cockpit of a wingless Harvard being towed out for loading. (I was covering the brakes)
21. Loading into the IAF C17 at RAF Brize Norton. Any concerns it wouldn't fit were blown away! James adding extra weight to ensure she didn't nose over. Indian High Commissioners car in background. There to see us off.
22. C17 flew IAF Harvard to Hindan and reassembled. In 2015 I got to take an IAF Harvard back into Indian skies. A 1st time since 1989. My pic by fuselage was used on back page of my Spitfire Singh book but with sunglasses airbrushed out. They looked like Mickey mouse ears!!!
23. I checked out the IAF test pilots on the Harvard ready for........
24. Our restored IAF Harvard flew with our Tigermoth on 2015 Air Force Day. Appearing on TV. The Vintage Flight was up to 2 aircraft with more to add.
25 and last. The thread of IAF Harvard restoration from forgotten in Palam hanger to 2015 Air Force Day Parade. @warbirdsindia @Chopsyturvey @TheBrownBeagle @ShivAroor @zone5aviation @ReviewVayu @arunp2810 @rhinohistorian
