By Dylan Freeman-Grist
The Haldimand Press
DUNNVILLE—The iconic Harvard 2766, a community landmark that has stood in front of the Dunnville Library since 1980, has been taken down.
The project, which has been in the works for nearly a year, has been spearheaded by the Harvard Restoration Committee, led by project manager Archie Merigold and chair Deb Zynomirski, in consultation with Haldimand County.
Exposure to the elements for just under half a century has taken its toll on the WWII-era aircraft, which saw service as a training plane for pilots who would go on to serve in the conflict.
Its destination was the No. 6 RCAF Dunnville Museum, where it will undergo extensive restoration. It will then remain indoors permanently, eventually making its way back to being on display with a targeted date of June 6, 2027.
“The reason it’s coming down is the aluminum is deteriorating,” said John McKay, Curator at the No. 6 RCAF Dunnville Museum. “Experts in the field said if we do refurbish it and put it back up there again, in 30 years’ time it will be too far gone to do anything with.”
Dunnville and Haldimand as a whole played a significant role in the mission to train pilots during WWII. It is estimated that one in 10 pilots who flew overseas and trained as part of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan passed through Dunnville.
DUNNVILLE—The now-wingless Harvard 2766 was lifted off the Dunnville Library lawn and onto the truck that then transported it to its final destination at No. 6 RCAF Dunnville Museum. 
DUNNVILLE—Charlie King, a veteran and member of the No. 6 RCAF Dunnville Museum, was on hand to provide Harvard 2766 with a proper sendoff, playing the bagpipes as the plane made its way onto the Dunville Library’s lawn, and again when it was hoisted to the truck that would take it to its final destination at the museum. 
DUNNVILLE—With the help of a crane, crew members navigated the wings of Harvard 2766 one-by-one onto the back of a truck for a separate journey to the museum. 
DUNNVILLE—Members of the No. 6 RCAF Dunnville Museum, who will be involved in the plane’s restoration, were on hand to observe and assist with taking down the plane: (l-r) Richard Egger (Board Director), Paul Young (Secretary), John McKay (Curator), Patrick Rebbetoy (Member), Steve McKay (Board Director), Michael Lubinskyj (Aircraft Structural Repair Specialist). —Haldimand Press photos by Dylan Freeman-Grist.
This fact alone makes the training plane an important piece of history worth safeguarding for future generations.
“A lot of people don’t realize the importance of Dunnville in the training of pilots,” said McKay.
“When something comes back in with a tale, with a story, it’s so nice to be able to share that with people.”
The exact extent of restoration needed is yet to be determined, though it has been estimated at between $60,000 and $80,000.
Community members interested in making a donation to the project are encouraged to contact the museum at 905-701-7223.
For more information about the project, contact Deb Zynomirski at debzyn@gmail.com.
