The AVRO Arrow CF-105 Photo Gallery by Sandra Jackson at pbase.com

The AVRO Arrow CF-105

Following several studies of Canadian air defense needs at the end of the Second World War, the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1953, issued specifications for a supersonic all-weather interceptor aircraft with flight characteristics surpassing anything previously flown in the western world. Avro Aircraft Ltd. of Malton Ontario devoted its design team to the project and one year later submitted a proposal for a delta winged aircraft powered by new Canadian designed and built engines, the Orenda Iroquois. The successful design was completed by Jim Chamberlain and Jim Floyd, with Bob Lindley and Guest Hake. First drawings were released in June 1955 and the first production aircraft, designated CF-105, the Arrow, rolled out just over two years later. The Arrow was flown for the first time on March 25, 1958. The Arrow did not fly with the powerful Iroquois engines before cancellation, yet it still exceeded all RCAF performance requirements with available Pratt & Whitney J75 turbojets rated at 12,500 lbs of thrust (the Iroquois achieved 19,000 lbs dry thrust and 26,000 lbs with afterburner). Speeds of Mach 1.96 were reached, although the Arrow was capable of flying in excess of Mach 2 (1,325 mph). The aircraft was over 80 ft long with a wingspan of 50 ft and weighed 57,000 lbs but could climb at 38,450 ft per minute to its ceiling of 53,000 ft. Most significantly, at that altitude the Arrow could manoeuvre comfortably while pulling 2G, a feat that contemporary fighters find difficult even today. Pioneering work in aerodynamics, metallurgy, mechanics and electronics were employed in the construction of such an advanced aircraft and its powerplant. This Canadian technological leadership was lost when the government ordered the cancellation of the Avro contract and the destruction of anything relating to the aircraft. The fifteen thousand highly skilled design and construction employees were dispersed throughout the international aerospace industry.

AVRO Arrow - night flight	AVRO Arrow sketch	[ ~45th Avro Arrow Roll-out Anniversary~ ]
original taxiway	AV Roe building	Avro CF100
Avro CF100 plaque

comment

T Martindale		07-Jun-2015 02:41
Hello Sandra. My name is Timothy Martindale and I'm wondering if you can answer my question. First of my father Richard (jim) Martindale has always said he worked on the tail scetion of the Arrow and now that his health has really taken a downward spiral, I just need to know if this is true because if it is then the family and friends are going to have a very special day for my dad. Please if you have any way of knowing or perhaps can point me in the right direction I would more then appreciate your help. Best wishes. Timothy Martindale

Christopher Pike		04-Dec-2014 05:03
Hi Sandy, My name is Ross Pike. I'm the son of the Chief Production Pilot at A.V. Roe. My Dad's name was Christopher Pike. He was on of a hand full that could fly anything made. He's gone now. My Mom is still alive and the last AVRO woman as far as I know. Frankly, even though I work at an excellent job, I feel slightly cheated by what happened back then. As I work in film and my daughter is in the Media Business, we've though of putting a motion in place to create something about the Arrow, that would not only reveal it's potential but make aware to the younger generation to the Arrow's existence in an effort to bolster our national pride to a level astute enough to have the law making it so Canada can't build aircraft. Would be good, as we're a clever lot. Our Southern Counterparts saw it's potential and we suffer their follie,,, Any thoughts from your readers are welcome Many thanks in advance... Christopher Ross Pike pike_47@msn.com

Barbara		13-Nov-2014 14:49
That was the BIGGEST mistake Canada Mr Defenbaker did when he Squshed the Avro Arrow , I worked there in the Blue print Crib and yes I was there the day we were all let go , We would have been so far ahead of the USA , that was so so stupid , Yesss I remember the first take off of the Arrow , We were on the roof and what a fantastic site to behold , what a beautiful Air craft that was , Love the Arrow and shed a tear that DEF squshed it , he was a damn fool, and Canada lost Billions

tim lucio		08-May-2012 02:12
find the one that was hidden......surely it cant be any threat now!!!!!!!!

Kathleen A. Hicks		26-Jan-2012 19:22
Hi Sandra, This is a fabulous site. I just got the internet, believe it or not. So I am thrilled to know you and hear about your amazing career, and finally have the opportunity to check out your website. Your photos are fantastic and having been born and raised in Mississauga, I have been aware of the Arrow since the inexcusable discontinuing of that amazing project. But as you know, I have written its story in my Malton book: Malton from Farms to Flying. So I learned an enormous lot of our history through that experience. Plus, the big bonus is, it brought lots of amazing people into my life such as yourself, photographer, Brian Willis, and James Floyd, who has become a dear friend I treasure. Waiting to hear from you. The best always. Kathleen

Guest		11-Jul-2011 22:52
I will never forgive the Torries for this atrocity. After Sis John A. they have been a party of lackluster bureaucrats with no imagination or vision. lets unite the left and kick these posers back into mediocre oblivion where they belong

Guest		11-Feb-2010 16:32
images great nice job.......................ROCK ON DUDES

phil		08-Dec-2009 19:32
this is awesome

scott		06-Apr-2009 17:41
its a awsome plain

Pat McEachern Wiggins		01-May-2008 15:22
My father was an electrical engineer and was in charge of the wiring for the CF 100. He passed away in 1995. My Mom and Dad worked on the Avro Arrow, also. I remember being 11 years old when the Arrow was "squashed". Recently on National Geographic (the divers for the prototypes that were shot into Lake Ontario) There were a group from Nat'l Geographic who went to Washington to get updates for the real reason the Canadian Gov't killed The Arrow (2006) and it was said that President Eisenhower forced Diefenbaker to "kill" the Arrow as there was a Russian spy working there. There will probably be a repeat of this story on TV. When I was 9 years old, I begged my Dad to let me stay home from school to see the first flight (I remeber it was a Thursday, I believe. My parents worked at Boeing A/C during WWII at Richmond BC, then Avro and Dehavilland - my Mom worked for McDonell Douglas until 1971. Thanks for the site. How are you affiliated with the Avro Arrow and Malton? Pat McEachern an original "Malton Boomer".

Sandra Jackson		07-Feb-2008 01:51
Thanks, R.J. for that information. Any other information you can supply will be gladly added to the site.

R. J. Clark		06-Feb-2008 06:17
Hi Sandra Iteresting web site. By the way, CF105 is the RCAF type designator, RL201 is the RCAF individual aircraft code and 25201 is the RCAF serial number. Cheers R. J. Clark

Amanda		15-Dec-2007 17:32
The number on the side of the Avro Aroow is RL 201.

Glen		04-Apr-2007 19:31
I have seen CBC's docu-drama several times. It's enough to make every Canadian weep. Unfortunately we still allow the government to crush the soul of this nation because of their political interests. We owe a lot to Sir John A. But not since his time have the Conservatives or the right wing done anything but harm to this country.

Emery D Hyslop		26-Feb-2007 01:58
From a former employee at Avro , i wish to commend you for this great site and pics of the CF-105 (Arrow) in helping to keep alive for generations this beautiful Aircraft,and the Injustice that the Prime Minister and the Government of Canada did in the insane decision to scrap everything pertaining to this Plane. During the first Flight of the Arrow, myself and all the Employees were let out on the grounds to see History being made....I still have chills as I remember the occasion. As has been stated, this aircraft would still be competitive today. Diefenbaker was a very bitter man ,and between Politics , and his hatred of Crawford Gordon, and pressure from the U.S. (and other reasons) he made the decision to destroy everything . Other remarks I could say here but I will leave it at that. .. I worked in the Final Assembly Section for awhile supplying work orders to the various shops on the floor during Production. I also worked in Material Control. I still have my Badge, and a few Avro Magazines, 2 models of the Arrow, aand also of the Cf -100 , and a Pic on my wall of an Artist sketch of the Arrow in Flight. plus a few books and Magazines etc. A great Site this is , lovely pics. Thanks Sandra...........

Rory Trappe		09-Feb-2007 22:22
What a waste. That aircraft would still be flying today with that specification.

Steph		14-Dec-2006 22:37
Great pictures you have! My grandfather was one of the engineers that designed the wings for the Avro Arrow. It's such a shame that is was destroyed. Thanks for sharing these pics :)

Don Halls		21-Feb-2006 07:37
I was priveledged to work on the Arrowat Malton It should be pointed out to Geoff that his anti British bias is very misplacedas about 75% of the workers at Avro were British. What shame that such a great plane was scrapped by CANADIAN poloticians.

James Pearce		12-Jan-2006 23:02
Nice pix of a great plane. What a loss to aviation. On the morning of March 25th, 1958 I was standing beside my car, parked just off the tarmac near to the Toronto Flying Club hanger, enjoying an early coffee. The hanger was, as you may recall, located in the south-east area of the "Malton Airport" near where now the dirigible hanger is situated. It was a lovely clear day and I was the only person around, others being inside. I became aware of a "hush" in the air, a lack of noise actually. I looked to my right and there was this large white plane silently approaching from the east, trailed by two smaller planes to the left and right. It seemed to be running in at a height of about 100 feet (it seemed less) at a slow rate of speed, almost gliding. There was no engine sound to be heard. The plane flew without a sound the entire length of the runway until it was opposite the DeHavilland/A.V.Roe hanger and then the pilot pointed the nose straight up and shot into the sky, leaving the two chase planes hopelessly far behind. Only then, and not until the large plane had gained hundreds of feet in altitude, did the roaring sound of the engine roll back to me. .. The cheers of the assembled crowd (A.V.Roe people) could be faintly heard just shortly afterward. Jan Zurokowski had flown the "Arrow" about six hundred feet in front and about one hundred feet above me. As said, it seemed much closer. Sometime in the early years following the demise and destruction of the "Arrows" an Avro engineer friend of mine recounted that Jan K. had told him he had twice flown at Mach 2, once at Mach 2.1, but had pulled back. "The Arrow", Jan said, "could have gone faster." Janusz Zurokowski, a former WW2 Polish fighter plane ace, gave Canada a never-to-be-forgotten chapter in aviation history with the flight of the "Avro Arrow", March 25th, 1958. James Pearce, Peterborough, Ontario.

John Hildebrandt		17-Apr-2005 15:31
Sandy - GREAT site! We had the extreme honour to have the chief test pilot - Janusz Zurakowski living in our town of Barry's Bay. We have a Park - Zurakowski Park - dedicated to Janusz and the famed Avro Arrow - we have a 1/4 scale replica of the Arrow on the Park - take a look at our website - www.zurakowskipark.ca - for further details. Great pictures John

Jeff		07-Nov-2004 00:43
That is a nice set of pictures you have there. Great job.

Guest		03-Nov-2004 07:41
Great Photos..from a fellow avaition enthusiast Gerry http://www.pbase.com/beagleair/galleries )

geoff		05-Sep-2004 22:05
hey sandi ... canada kicks ass and the world knows it, simply from past wars! Goofy Brits'd be wiped off the planet twice over if not for general Arthur Currie and his canadian shock troops showing how to cure a bad case of 'the huns' ('the hives') ... that we invented the modern fighter jet? heck, all in a day's work for the toughest soldiers (and the smartest, as the Avro Arrow attests to). The Brits? Didn't they try to get a goofy robot, the 'Beagle', onto Mars recently? ah well ... we'd go save them again, I guess, if called upon. And the yankees walking on the moon? -well, gather up canadian and german scientists and 'voila': Rocket Science.

Alastair ROSS		04-Jun-2004 14:53
Sandi - this is a splendid gallery and a fine memorial to a great aircraft. That it should be cancelled is sad, but the ambition to destroy everything connected with it is criminal. The comparison with the TSR-2 has already been made. Thanks for helping to preserve a great dream. Best wishes, Alastair.

Guest		11-Jul-2003 16:52
Hey ho, another tale of shattered dreams. Sounds like our (UK) TSR2 aircraft project and I recently discovered, we once had a satellite launcher program that was junked by the government after a successful launch. Then politicians and 'captains of industry' wonder why more youngsters don't study science and technology subjects at university. Stick to arty subjects like photography...

Sandra Jackson		20-Mar-2003 00:13
Hi Mike, all the pics are genuine. I've been gathering them up as I go along, so I couldn't really say where it's from. Did you hear that they've given the building a stay of execution - they were going to tear it down but have delayed while Ottawa studies it for heritage designation, thankfully!

Mike		19-Mar-2003 21:49
Hi, I was wondering where you got the "Arrow in a Bay" photo, it is a photo that i have never seen of the Arrow, and i wa so excitted to see a new one (or was it made up)>?>? Thanks, Mike

Scott McArthur		01-Nov-2002 01:18
Hi Sandy. Your images are great! It was great meeting you at the 45th Rollout Anniversary. Please visithttp://www.avroarrow.org/Boeing1.asp for my images and please feel free to visit the rest of the website,the most accurate archive of factual Avro Arrow information on the web. Regards Scott McArthur Technical Director Arrow Recovery Canada Inc.

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