Induction Ceremony of the T-6 Harvard Aircraft into the Hellenic Air Force
The Hellenic Air Force officially welcomed the historic T-6 Harvard aircraft (49-3424) into its fleet during a ceremony held on Monday, May 5, 2025, at Dekelia Air Base in Tatoi. The event was attended by the Deputy Minister of National Defense, Mr. Athanasios Davakis.
The aircraft, a symbol of pilot training across generations, was restored through the initiative and funding of the “Ikaros” Foundation, in collaboration with the Hellenic Air Force, following the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation.
The ceremony was attended by high-ranking military and political officials, including the Chief of the Hellenic Air Force General Staff, Lieutenant General (I) Dimosthenis Grigoriadis, the representative of the Chief of the Hellenic National Defense General Staff, General Dimitrios Choupis, as well as representatives of the Army and Navy General Staffs.
Also present were the Mayor of Acharnes, Spyridon Vrettos, Metropolitan of Ilion,Acharnes and Petroupoli Athenagoras, , the UK Defense Attaché in Athens, Captain Samuel James Law, the President of the “Ikaros” Foundation, Mr. Panagiotis – Peter Livanos, former Chiefs of the Air Force General Staff, as well as delegations from Retired Officers’ Associations and Presidents of Veteran Groups.
The restoration of the T-6 Harvard took place at the facilities of The Spitfire Company Ltd in Biggin Hill, UK, to where the aircraft had been transported in June 2022. Upon completion of the restoration, it was returned to Greece partially disassembled and delivered to Dekelia Air Base.
The IKAROS Foundation has played a key role in restoring two historic aircraft to airworthy condition: the Supermarine Spitfire MJ755 and the T-6 Harvard. Both aircraft flew side-by-side during the Military Parade on March 25, 2025, in Athens.
Recently, a new agreement was signed between the Hellenic Air Force General Staff and the non-profit IKAROS Foundation for the restoration of two additional historic aircraft: the C-47A and the HAVILLAND DH.82 Tiger Moth.
The induction of the T-6 Harvard strengthens the cultural and historical heritage of the Hellenic Air Force, paying tribute to its long-standing tradition of training and service by generations of pilots.