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Avro Canada CF-105 Arrow

The Avro Canada CF-105 Arrow The Avro Canada CF-105 Arrow

Intended to replace the Avro Canada CF-100, the CF-105 Arrow was a technical masterpiece at the forefront of aviation engineering during its time. The Canadian government believed, however, that the manned bomber threat was diminishing and that air defence could be better handled by unmanned BOMARC missiles. The contract was cancelled on February 20, 1959 while test flying was still in progress. By then five Arrows had flown. The government ordered all completed Arrows, related documentation, and equipment destroyed.

Sleek, elegant, and the stuff of mythology, the Avro Arrow is still alive in print and in memory. The Arrow met most of its performance requirements while flying with less powerful engines. One of the Canadian-made Iroquois engine designed for the Arrow was flight-tested attached to the rear fuselage of a Boeing B-47, but never powered the Arrow. At 28 tons, the Arrow was equivalent in weight to its ancient Avro relative, the Lancaster bomber.

Museum Example

The nose section of one Arrow retained for experimental work at the Institute of Aviation Medicine, was donated to the Museum in 1965. The Museum also holds an Iroquois engine, undercarriage, wingtips, and other small components.

Specifications

Wing Span:
15.2 m (50 ft )
Length:
26.1 m (85 ft 6 in)
Height:
6.5 m (21 ft 3 in)
Weight, Empty:
19,935 kg (43,960 lb)
Weight, Gross:
28,319 kg (62,431 lb)
Cruising Speed:
1,128 km/h (701 mph)
Max Speed:
2,453 km/h (1,524 mph)
Rate of Climb:
15,240 m (50,000 ft) / 4 min 24 sec
Service Ceiling:
17,830 m (58,500 ft)
Range:
1,330 km (820 mi)
Crew:
two
Power Plant:
two Orenda Iroquois axial flow turbojet engines, 11,791 kg (26,000 lb) static thrust, with afterburner

Additional Photographs

The Canada Aviation Museum’s Image Bank contains additional photographs of this aircraft. Images are provided for non-commercial study or research purposes only and may not be reproduced or published without the prior consent of the Canada Aviation Museum.

Find out more about our Image bank here.