The North American Harvard was one of the main trainers for the RCAF between 1939 and 1960. Originally developed and built by North American Aviation Inc., in Inglewood, California, it was designed specifically as an aircraft for training pilots, although another version was created for export as a light attack aircraft.

Canada’s first Harvards were purchased by the British, and were sent directly from the factory to Canada. The creation of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP) in December 1939 led to an increased demand for the trainers, so in January 1940 Noorduyn was awarded a contract to produce Harvards at its plant in Cartierville, Quebec. The first Canadian-built Harvard was delivered in January 1941.

The Harvard helped train an estimated 25,000 pilots, both during and after the War. As new jet interceptor aircraft were introduced, the RCAF began replacing its Harvards with a new trainer, the Tutor.The last Harvard was taken out of service in 1965.

Harvard 3270 was acquired by the RCAF in 1942. It was sent to No. 3 Training Command, where it was put into torage as part of the Stored Reserve. In February of 1944, while serving as a trainer at No. 2 Service Flying Training School (SFTS) in Uplands (Ottawa), Ontario, it sustained minor damage when pilot, LAC D.M. Eastman, flying in a three-plane formation, became lost. Running low on fuel, LAC Eastman carried out a precautionary landing, which resulted in the aircraft landing nose up. The pilot as uninjured. Post-war, it was delivered to RCAF Station Downsview (Toronto, Ontario) to serve with 400 (Auxiliary) Squadron. In 1960 it was sold to a private individual in Guelph, Ontario, and kept at the Guelph Air Park. Harvard 3270 was transferred from the Canadian Air and Space Museum in Toronto, Ontario to the National Air Force Museum of Canada in 2007.