North American Harvard Mk IIB (KF729) of HRH Prince Philip in flight, 4 May 1953

After initial training on the De Havilland Chipmunk HRH Prince Philip continued on the North American Harvard.

Prince Philip began his flying training on 12th November 1952 at White Waltham, his instructor being Flight Lieutenant Caryl Ramsay Gordon. Prince Philip was awarded his “wings” by Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sir William Dickson at a private ceremony at Buckingham Palace on the 4th May 1953.