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CF-105
Arrow, Canada - 1959 |
The
great significance of the CF-105 is that it marked Canada's
entry into the production of fighter aircraft. It began in
the mid-1950s when government decided to develop its own
fighters. It would reduce dependence on other countries
and create jobs for Canadians. The first Avro CF-105 Arrow
coded RL-201 rolled out on October 4th, 1957. It broke the
sound barrier on its maiden flight and six test flights later,
it reached a speed of mach 1.52.
Apparently the government felt that it
had gotten in over it's head. On February 20th 1959, John
George Diefenbaker announced that the Arrow program was to be
canceled. Avro was told to immediately halt on the
construction of the CF-105s. All five prototypes and the
first four nearly-completed Arrow Mark.2s were to be destroyed
and sold for 6.5 cents per pound. Avro laid off around
14,000 employees. The company was later dissolved and its
assets turned over to British Hawker.
The Canadian government then
purchased F-101 Voodoo jet fighters from the U.S. It was
severely criticized as the Voodoos was considered an inferior
aircraft. All six aircrafts were cut up and destroyed.
Part of the nose and the nose wheel assembly of one aircraft can
be found in the Aviation Museum in Ottawa, Ontario. There have
always been rumors that one of the Arrows survived the
destruction. |
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CF-105 Arrow
Standard Series. 1/48th scale. 12.5" wingspan x
19.75" long.
No. AFW1D-ST. Only $139.95 |
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