This timeline marks events of the AVRO Arrow programme,
prior, during, and after, including those events that might have had an
influence for or against the Arrow and those events that the Arrow
influenced.
It has been compiled from references and there may be some inconsistency
in the dates etc.
| 1954
|
|
5 Jan 1954
|
The Liberal government authorizes 2 million dollars for the development of two prototype supersonic interceptors - 600 to be considered for service by late 1961 (CF-105)
|
|
13 Jan 1954
|
Hawker-Siddley authorizes private venture of $3.5 million for Orenda to to proceed with the design and manufacture of three
Iroquois engines. Orenda hoped to secure RCAF contracts by demonstrating a prototype engine.
|
|
Spring 1954
|
Project re-instated with contract for 2 prototypes and 1 airframe for
static tests purposes
|
|
1 May 1954
|
Iroquois final detailed design completed
|
|
4 May 1954
|
Letter sent to Canadian Joint Chiefs of Staff Washington US. Ref CF105
Aircraft - Transition from Prototype to Production using Cooke-Craigie
Method
|
|
June 1954
|
U.S. initiates a competition for a long range interceptor and is interested
in the CF105 Arrow
|
|
26 Aug 1954
|
Briefing team of RCAF officers and AVRO officials visit ARDCHQ and give a
presentation on the CF105 Arrow
|
|
16 Sept 1954
|
AVRO submits a cost analysis for 31 Mar 1955 to 1960 for $118,253,435.00
for design and development, production tooling, and production of 40
CF-105 Arrows.
|
|
Nov 1954
|
Canada and the United States exchange notes for formalization of the
Distant Early Warning (DEW) Line
|
|
17 Nov 1954
|
Introduction of the 5 per cent notch on the Arrow wing. [Avro CF105 Engineering Chronology Sept 1955]
|
|
5 Dec 1954
|
The first PS13 Iroquois was delivered for testing.
|
|
10 Dec 1954
|
Decided only 6, not 8, Falcon missiles to be installed. [Avro CF105 Engineering Chronology Sept 1955]
|
|
14 Dec 1954
|
Decision to revert to 8 Falcon missiles. [Avro CF105 Engineering Chronology Sept 1955]
|
|
15 Dec 1954
|
First light-up of an Iroquois engine
|
|
19 Dec 1954
|
Iroquois was started at 4:24 p.m. and run on its own power.
|
|
20 Dec 1954
|
AVRO/RCAF/NACA meeting in Washington - NACA regarded 'Area Rule' as useful.
[Avro CF105 Engineering Chronology Sept 1955]
|
|
20 Dec 1954
|
NACA (National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics), on hearing from the RCAF, NAE, DRB(?) and AVRO, found that the C-105 design would meet RCAF specifications.
[Avro Aircraft and Cold War Aviation by R. Whitcomb]
|
| 1955
|
|
1955
|
By 1955, the RCAF had reconsidered its assumption that the CF-100 and its
successor would go to the Auxiliary Squadrons which were then assigned an
air defence role. It was decided that the Auxiliary Squadrons could not
maintain, on a part-time basis, a level of proficiency that would fully
exploit the capability of an all-weather fighter. Only 9 regular squadrons
would get the CF-100, effectively cutting in half production run
requirements of its successor- the Arrow. (Note: Today I think this has effectively
been ruled out by the Air Reserve Squadrons of the United States!)
|
|
2 Jan 1955
|
Jim Floyd named Vice President and Director of Engineering of Avro Aircraft, leading the team that was responsible for the Avro Arrow.
|
|
5 Jan 1955
|
AVRO announces laying off 1,000 workers t the request of the Federal Government
|
|
21 Feb 1955
|
Plans were announced to construct the Distant Early Warning (DEW) Line across northern Canada.
[Air Transport by L.D. Edwards in Canadian Aviation Magazine Anniversary 1978]
|
|
5 May 1955
|
Canada and the United States ratify the agreement on the Distant Early Warning (DEW) Line
|
|
June 1955
|
AVRO Brochure AD 15 Issue 2: Costs of the CF-105 Arrow has now risen to
$153,711,311.00for 40 aircraft versus $118,253,435.00 quoted in Sept
1954
|
|
June 1955
|
AV ROE Canada offers $30.00/share for all the stock of Canadian Car, It was accepted
|
|
18 June 1955
|
Introduction of leading edge droop on the Arrow wing. [Avro CF105 Engineering Chronology Sept 1955]
|
|
14 July 1955
|
Contract between the Government and Orenda for 11 PS-13 engines with authorization to build 3 engines.
|
|
31 Aug 1955
|
The RCAF issues Air 7-4 Issue 3: Specification for
Supersonic All-weather Interceptor Aircraft Type CF105
|
|
1 Nov 1955
|
Following an inspection of AVRO's facility and projects, the USAF team stated that the CF-105 would be the optimum interceptor for the early 1960's (at least until the US F-108, which bore a remarkable resemblance to the CF-105, were to come into service). In the end, the design limits for the aircraft would be the thermal limites of the aluminum alloy structure.
[Avro Aircraft and Cold War Aviation by R. Whitcomb]
|
|
24 Nov 1955
|
Ralph Campney, Minister of National Defence, sends C.D. Howe an aide
memoire calling with a cost analysis and a call to slow production of the
Arrow down. Cost so far for the Arrow airframe and engines was
$35,500,000.00 and cancellation would cost another $17,700,000.00. (Note:
The
Arrow could have been written off into history before it became the Legend
it is!) His cost analysis for 40 aircraft was now $198,369,688.00 and
production of another 300 aircraft would cost another $636,700,000.00.
|
| 1957
|
|
1957 ??
|
C.D. Howe recommends cancellation of the Arrow to the Cabinet Defence
Committee but it would be political suicide with an election coming in
June
|
|
10 June 1957
|
The Conservatives led by John Deifenbaker won the election by a small
margin. C.D. Howe, and Ralph Campney, both Liberals did not win their
seats. George Pearkes becomes Minister of National Defence. Deifenbaker
quickly approves the NORAD agreement that was held up by the election. He
bypasses the Cabinet Defence Committee and External Affairs upset since
they were hoping for a better deal for Canada. No one suggested that
Canada try and get American support for the Arrow before conceding to
NORAD
|
|
21 June 1957
|
Diefenbaker's Conservatives are sworn in as a minority government
|
|
22 July 1957
|
Official roll-out of the PS-13 Iroquois engine
|
|
27 July 1957
|
Canadian Minister of Defense Pearkes announces that Canada and the United States would link their continental air defences in a single "North American Air Defense Command."
|
|
27 July 1957
|
Iroquois engine passes the first official 100 hour endurance test at reduced thrust of 18,750 lbs.
|
|
Summer of 1957
|
Orenda learns that the French Air Ministry and Marcel Dassault Aircraft
Company were interested in the Iroquois engine for the Mirage IV
|
|
1 Aug 1957
|
Joint announcement by the Minister of National Defence of Canada and the
Secretary of Defense of the United States - integration of operational
control of the air defence forces in the continental USA, Alaska and
Canada under an integrated command responsible to the Chiefs of Staff of
both Countries. North American Air Defence Command (NORAD)
|
|
Aug 1957
|
AV ROE Canada offers to buy controlling interest in Dominion Steel &
Coal, the 3rd largest producer of steel in Canada
|
|
12 Sept 1957
|
Integrated HQ of North American Air Defence Command (NORAD) operational on an interim basis
|
|
17 Sept 1957
|
After a stormy meeting with AVRO President, Crawford Gordon, Diefenbaker informs his close confidant, Gratton O'Leary that: "I have just told him (Gordon) the thing (Arrow) is off." Attending a meeting with 50 RCAF officers at the newly constituted "Arrow Project Office", Zurakowski was shocked to learn that those present were under strict orders not to ask questions about the Arrow.
[Avro Aircraft and Cold War Aviation by R. Whitcomb]
|
|
30 Sept 1957
|
Orenda sells manufacturing rights for the Iroquois engine to Curtis-Wright Corp. of the U.S. along with permission to sell and further develop the
engine
|
|
4 Oct 1957
|
AVRO Arrow Rollout Ceremony with RL201. Canadian Minister of Defense, George Pearkes commented: "the symbol of a new era for Canada in the air". Canadian Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall Hugh Campbell commented: "The planned performance of this aircraft is such that it can effectively meet and deal with any likely bomber threat to this continent over the next decade"
|
|
4 Oct 1957
|
Sputnik launched at Baikonur and overshadows Arrow rollout
|
|
29 Oct 1957
|
On the advice of the Chiefs of Staff, and influenced by employment conditions, the Conservative Cabinet authorized the procurement of 20 "pre-production" Arrow aircraft, but served notice that the program was under careful examination. The new Conservative Diefenbaker government had made up its mind to cancel the Arrow.
[Avro Aircraft and Cold War Aviation by R. Whitcomb]
|
|
1 Nov 1957
|
Iroquois engine run at over 19,000 lbs dry thrust for (no afterburner) Canadian Government representatives
|
|
13 Nov 1957
|
Iroquois engine runs at altitude in the B-47 for the first time
|
|
22 Nov 1957
|
G/C Footit accuses AVRO and Orenda of mismanaging the Arrow program. Follow up letter sent 4 Dec 1957
|
|
4 Dec 1957
|
J-75 Engines ground running begins with RL201. Arrow 201 used Pratt & Whitney J75P3 engines (6,175 lbs each).
|
|
18 Dec 1957
|
Both engines run at the same time on RL201
|
|
25 Dec 1957
|
AVRO Canada test pilot, Janus Zurakowski, began taxi trials with the Arrow.
[Avro Aircraft and Cold War Aviation by R. Whitcomb]
|
| 1958
|
|
Jan 1958
|
Engineering Department at AVRO reorganized
|
|
Jan 1958
|
Low Speed Taxi Trials begin
|
|
3 Jan 1958
|
Completion of engine and first phase taxi trials - total engine time - 9 hours.
|
|
18 Jan 1958
|
The Calgary Herald quotes Minister Pearkes: "I do not share the opinion that the Arrow will be obsolete before it is operational. When Russia stops building bombers it will be time for us to start thinking of some
other defense."
|
|
20 Jan 1958
|
Leader of the Liberal Party, Mike "Lester" Pearson called on the
Conservatives to resign, to return the country to the Liberals without the
formality of an election
|
|
1 Feb 1958
|
Diefenbaker dissolves Parliament and the federal election process begins
|
|
18 March 1958
|
First high speed run of the Arrow
|
|
25 March 1958
|
First flight of the Arrow - RL201 - Jan Zurakowski, pilot
|
|
25 March 1958
|
The story is told, that at dawn on Tuesday, an AVRO soothsayer had examined the entrails of a freshly-killed chicken and, finding no sign of portentious events, declared the day auspicious for the Arrow to take to the air. As the Arrow landed for the first time and AVRO test pilot Potocki in the chase Canuck turned off to land, RCAF pilot Jack Woodman in the Sabre followed him after executing an exuberant victory roll.
[Aircraft Magazine - April 1958]
|
|
31 Mar 1958
|
The Conservatives win 208 of the 265 seats, winning the election with a clear majority
|
|
31 Mar 1958
|
Expenditures to AVRO for Arrow development, tooling and production was
$103,237,634.00 which did not include ASTRA, the Sparrow or the Iroquois
engine. Air Marshall Hugh Campbell was becoming isolated in his support of
the Arrow as the projected costs were threatening the budgets of the Army
and Navy.
|
|
3 April 1958
|
RL201 flies supersonic Mach 1.4
|
|
17 April 1958
|
Department of Defense Production contracted Canadair to manufacture Sparrow 2 air-to-air missiles for the AVRO Arrow "bomber destroyer". The approval for Canada to build the Sparrow 2 came as the development program was terminated by the US Navy.
[Aircraft Magazine - May 1958]
|
|
22 April 1958
|
RL201 flown by F/Lt Jack Woodman, RCAF Acceptance Pilot, the only RCAF pilot to fly an Arrow
|
|
12 May 1958
|
The original North American Air Defence Command (NORAD) agreement is signed
|
|
30 May 1958
|
Prime Minister Diefenbaker tells the House of Commons of receiving a letter from Russian Premier Nikita Khrushchev concerning flights of nuclear-armed SAC bombers over Canada, saying they pose a grave danger to Canada. "Parliament shrugged its shoulders and that was that."
[Aircraft Magazine - July 1958]
|
|
3 June 1958
|
Government makes public the figures on the total cost of the Arrow Program: "The total cost to the Government of the complete Arrow aircraft project including design, development, tooling and preproduction costs of the airframe, engine programs, and weapons systems up to May 1, 1958 is $233 million. This cost also covered two complete aircraft, three in final assembly, and 32 others within the present order in various stages of manufacture."
[Aircraft Magazine - July 1958]
|
|
11 June 1958
|
RL201 veers off the runway during landing due to port landing gear turned out of position, collapsing all landing gear
|
|
16 June 1958
|
Toronto Telegram: "United States defense officials said today the main reason for the continued refusal of the United States to buy Canada's AVRO CF105 fighter plane is that the Arrow cannot fly at top speed long enough."
|
|
30 Jun 1958
|
CAS Air Marshall Hugh Campbell reports on cost overruns and AVRO
|
|
4 July 1958
|
Canadian Minister of Nation Defense: "There are important factors necessitating the use of manned interceptors in the air defense system for many years; indeed, as far as we can see into the future."
|
|
Aug 1958
|
George Pearkes flies to Washington to talk to Secretary of Defense Neil
McElroy. U.S. assures it could fill its own interceptor requirements and
sell some to Canada at a lower price than that of the Arrow. If the Arrow
is cancelled, U.S. could assist in guarding Canadian airspace in the event
of an emergency.
|
|
1 Aug 1958
|
RL202 flies for first time. Arrow 202 to 205 used lighter P5 (modified P3's) weighing 5,950 lbs each.
|
|
25 Aug 1958
|
Canada's Military Chiefs of Staff and Chairman Gen Charles Foulkes unofficially cancel the CF105 Arrow programme
|
|
28 Aug 1958
|
Minister of Defense, George Pearkes, presented Diefenbaker cabinet with Bomarc proposal and recommended cancellation of the Arrow. (The Arrow's future was never debated outside of Cabinet prior to its cancellation.)
[The Legend of the Arrow by George Shaw - June 1994]
|
|
Sept 1958
|
Orenda notices that since the end of Aug 1957, the letters of
authorization had been altered to include (in bold) "The liability
of Her Majesty shall in no event exceed the last mentioned amount unless
an increase is authorized in writing by or on behalf of the Minister regardless
of work performed and expenditures incurred by your company."
In the event of cancellation of the Iroquois engine, this could leave the
company wholly liable for termination costs!
|
|
Sept 1958
|
Orenda's P.Y. Dauord wrote to a Defence Production official for assurance
from the Department that the company financial position would be fully
protected was essential to the continued success of he Iroquois programme.
Financial limitations on the four main contracts for the PS-13
(development, tooling, prototype, pre-production) was $116,976,614.00 to
31 Mar 1959.
To cover termination would cost another $150,646,745.00, a large amount to
Orenda to allow for ambiguity in the contract.
|
|
1 Sept 1958
|
Jettisonable tail cone plugs to retrict exhaust area as a means to increase long range mission. Concept evolved into modern day vaiable geometry tail cone technology.
[Avro weight & Balance Report 7-0400-34 Issue 13]
|
|
1 Sept 1958
|
Sparrow II missiles deleted for one nuclear Genie (812 lbs) plus four Falcon missiles and Hughes fire control system (2,406 lbs) total 3,742 lbs, altering balance by +892 lbs over Sparrow II system.
[AVRO Weight & Balance Report 7-0400-34 Issue 25]
|
|
14 Sept 1958
|
Zurakowski flies RL202 to Mach 1.86 at 50,000 ft, his highest speed prior to retirement from test flying
|
|
16 Sept 1958
|
Diefenbaker's vast debt roll-over, the so-called Conversion Loan of 1958 was causing anxiety in the financial community - a selling wave caused a protracted slide in the price of government bonds. The declining economic situation resulted in government officials expressing concern over the Arrow and Iroquois programs.
|
|
17 Sept 1958
|
The Prime Minister, John Deifenbaker tells Crawford Gordon the Arrow is
gone. Deifenbaker tells Grattan O'Leary of the Ottawa Journal " I
have just told him that the thing is off, look, this is going to cost a
billion dollars. We have no market for them we can't sell them.... We
don't need enough of them We have no export market and no domestic market
for these planes. They are costing too much, and I had to tell him no"
|
|
22 Sept 1958
|
RL203 flies for first time and sustains Mach 1.2
|
|
23 Sept 1958
|
Deifenbaker makes a statment to the press. "The Prime Minister, the
Right Honourable John Deifenbaker, announces today that in recent weeks the
Government has fully reviewed the Canada Air Defence Programme in light of
rapid development that has taken place during the past year in missiles
should be introduced into the Canadian Air Defence System and that the number
of supersonic interceptor aircraft required for the RCAF....
will be substantially less than could have been foreseen a few years ago, if
in fact such aircraft will be required at all in the 1960s....
... negotiating to acquire Bomarc, to make it effective Pine Tree radar line
equipped with SAGE....
In view of the introduction of missiles into the Canadian Air Defence System
and the reduction in the expected need for manned, supersonic, interceptor
aircraft, the Government has decided it would not be advisable at this time
to put the CF-105 into production. The Government believes, however, that to
discontinue abruptly the development of this aircraft and its engine, with
its consequent effects upon the industry, would not be prudent with the
international outlook as uncertain and tense as it is...
therefore, The Government has decided that the development programme for the
Arrow aircraft and the Iroquois engine should be continued until next March,
when the situation will be reviewed again in light of all existing
circumstances at that time."
|
|
23 Sept 1958
|
Astra fire-control radar and Sparrow missile programs for the Arrow cancelled.
[The Legend of the Arrow by George Shaw - June 1994]
|
|
24 Sept 1958
|
Prime Minister Diefenbaker orders US BOEMA IM-99 BOMARC anti-aircraft missile.
[Flypast by John Gellener in Canadian Aviation Magazine Anniversary 1978]
|
|
24 Oct 1958
|
Deputy Commander of NORAD, Canadian Air Marshall Roy Slemon issued a public statement: "For as long as we can see we must have manned interceptors and missiles to meet the manned bomber threat."
|
|
25 Oct 1958
|
Blair Fraser, a political analyst writes "What Led Canada To Junk
The Arrow" in Macleans. Although the Arrow was not canceled,
Frasier applauded the Government for its courage in discontinuing the
project. This article was based on instinct from his knowledge of life on Parliament
Hill. Fred Syme went to Frasier and was assured that Frasier did not have
insider knowledge.
|
|
25 Oct 1958
|
Minister Pearkes in a press conference confirmed the point that the RCAF would require a manned interceptor for some years to come. In reference to the Prime Minister's September 23 statement he said: "What we decided last September was not to produce the Arrow under condidtions that surrounded Arrow production at that time. Let the makers re-examine the cost and then we will know where we are going."
|
|
27 Oct 1958
|
RL204 flies for the first time
|
|
27 Oct 1958
|
Two Orenda engineers were sent to Paris. Quote on ten engines at $395,000
each with delivery to begin 15 months from the go ahead.
|
|
31 Oct 1958
|
Officials of the French Air Ministry and Marcel Dassault expressed the
opinion that the Iroquois had ceased to exist or would do so in the near
future and they could not afford to embark on a program using the Iroquois
engine
|
|
11 Nov 1958
|
Waldek "Spud" Potoki pilots RL203 to Mach 1.96, the fastest an Arrow flew. During landing
run all four wheels skidded and the tires burst. Right undercarriage leg
damaged when aircraft ran off the runway.
|
|
????
|
Fred Syme and his assistant went to Washington to see the Assistant
Secretary of the US Air Force, (McDonald), to ask the USAF for a
contribution to the project to get the costs down. Mr Douglas' assistant
authorized Smye on behalf of Mr Douglas to inform the Government that the
USAF would be happy to provide the firing control system, missile and
other components for free. The next day Syme gave Mr O'Hurley the letter
who read it in front of Syme and that was the last of that.
|
|
30 Nov 1958
|
AVRO claimed $151,623,067.00 for work completed on six different contracts
related to the Arrow airframe development. Total cash for continuation to
31 Mar 1959 came to $184,317,170.00 or $205,567,170.00 if commitments past
31 Mar considered, exceeding Government financial limitations by $17
million.
|
|
Dec 1958
|
NATO Conference in Paris. US Secretary of Defense tells Pearkes "was
told finally and definitively that the United States would not purchase
the Arrow."
|
|
4 Dec 1958
|
CF-100 Aircraft 18792, the last CF-100 rolls off the assembly line at Malton under the nose of an Arrow
|
|
17 Dec 1958
|
First pre-production Iroquois engine delivered to AVRO from Orenda
|
|
20 Dec 1958
|
Gordon Crawford in the Macleans' article "We Should And Will Go
On Building Arrows" angrily responded to Blair Frasiers
article: "The day of the manned interceptor is NOT over...
The United States department of Defense is NOT 'jubilant' over the
premature and erroneous conclusion that the Arrow has been abandoned in
favour of the Bomarc ground-to-air missile. The Bomarc is NOT a substitute
for the manned interceptor....
The Arrow will NOT cost twice as much to produce as buying American substitutes."
Gordon then outlined the offer his company was making to the Government:
"The realistic approach is to eliminate what has been spent and consider
only those costs which would be incurred from now on actually producing
Arrows for combat use. On this basis, we estimate the fly away cost per
aircraft, complete in every respect, including Iroquois engines and
fire-control system, would be $3.5 million for the first hundred and $2.6
million for the next hundred. These costs do not include spares or
ground-handling equipment or development and tooling costs."
|
|
21 Dec 1958
|
Second pre-production Iroquois engine delivered to AVRO from Orenda
|
|
22 Dec 1958
|
Cabinet told of United States' refusal to purchase Arrow aircraft. [The Legend of the Arrow by George Shaw - June 1994]
|
|
30 Dec 1958
|
Morley of AVRO wrote to D.L. Thompson, Director of the Aircraft Branch,
DPP, confirming a fixed price of $346,282,015.00 for 100 aircraft, (25221 to 252320), including Iroquois engines and Hughes MA-1C electronics
systems. Adding applicable sales tax of $28,717,985.00 brought the price
per aircraft to $3.75 million. The contract proposals attached to the
letter covered design, development, tooling and tool maintenance,
manufacture of 20 development and 100 squadron aircraft (thus adding 83 to
the 37 aircraft programme) and technical support for the squadron
aircraft. No contract proposal was submitted for the Hughes systems but
$50 million - $500,000 per aircraft was allocated. AVRO personnel had no
security clearance to visit Hughes, all the info was through the back
door. AVRO also made no reference to the letter of America's offer that
Syme had passed to O'Hurley on any amount for missiles.
|
| 1959
|
|
Jan/Feb 1959
|
Reply received from Great Britain that they would not purchase the Arrow
|
|
11 Jan 1959
|
RL205 flies for the first and last time by "Spud" Potocki.
|
|
21 Jan 1959
|
Mike "Lester" Pearson, Leader of the Opposition, sends a letter
to C.D. Howe: "Would it be too much to ask you to send me a note
of your views on the CF-105 question? So far, although I have said a good
deal about it, I have been completely non-committal as to the decision
which the Government should make and have confined my remarks to attacking
them for their tactics and fumbling words."
|
|
22 Jan 1959
|
C.D. Howe responded to Pearson: "There is no doubt in my mind that
the CF-105 should be terminated - costs are completely out of hand, the
electronics equipment, which is an essential part of the project, has
never been ordered...
It seems to me that the proper line of attack should be directed to the
Government's temporizing and fumbling with this decision. You will recall
that when the matter was last discussed by our Defence Committee in 1957;
it was decided to continue the project for the time being, and have a
complete review of the matter in September 1957. I had then recommended
that the project be terminated due to runaway costs, but there were
obvious reasons then why the decision should be deferred until autumn.
Since then, costs have continued to mount, and results of test flights
have been far from conclusive, both as to the aircraft and its jet engine,
which is also a development project.
Subsequent expenditures on both aircraft and engine were definitely an
unemployment relief measure, and an expensive one. Should the final
decision be to terminate, the best political strategy would be to expose
the cost of the Conservatives' delay by having expenditures on the project
tabled on the order paper."
|
|
26 Jan 1959
|
John Bassett, a prominent Toronto Tory, sent a letter to Diefenbaker
outlining that after the 37 CF-105s were completed, AVRO could build under
license the aircraft that the Blackburn Aircraft Company, the NA39, if
chosen for Europe, which would be good for Canada/UK relations, and impact
politically for cancellation of the Arrow programme
|
|
27 Jan 1959
|
Fed Syme sends a letter to David Golden, Deputy Minister DPP, that "We
are faced with a very different set of circumstances." Syme was
looking for assurance that the commitments for past 31 Mar 1959 would be
recognized and reimbursed. The reply from Golden's assistant Gordon nnnnn
was not reassuring: "If, in the event of termination, expenditures
authorized by the respective contracts should prove insufficient to meet
claims which this department considered reasonable, the department would
be willing to recommend to treasury board that sufficient funds be
authorized for that purpose. I must emphasize, however, that this letter
is not intended to be a contractual document...."
|
|
Feb 1959
|
Chief of Staff are convinced that the CF-105 had to be dropped. Chief of
Air Staff dissented because he feared no substitute would be ordered when
the requirement for an interceptor remained strong.
|
|
2 Feb 1959
|
Peter Cope lands RL204 at RCAF Station Trenton, due to a Viscount
retracting its gear at the intersection of Malton's two main runways. Only
time an Arrow lands at an airfield other than Malton
|
|
5 Feb 1959
|
John Tory met with the Minister of National Defence and outlined the
company's plans for the period after the Arrow, about 5 years down the
road and suggested the Arrow be used as a quid pro quo for Canadian
purchase of a British aircraft for use in Europe and suggested the Hawker
Siddeley Group's Hawker P-1127.
|
|
9 Feb 1959
|
Fred Syme writes to Howard Green, acting Minister of Defence Production,
wanting to discuss a most serious problem facing AVRO Aircraft Limited
with respect to the present circumstances surrounding the Arrow programme.
"We are proceeding with the Arrow and Iroquios programmes in
accordance with our understanding with Department of Defence Production,
and in accordance with estimates proposed by the Department,
notwithstanding the fact that we are exceeding some of the financial
limitations, which have not increased, as we are led to believe, for
reasons of Government procedure. Our only alternative would be to cease
work, but we are reluctant to take this action in view of certain other
provisions contained in the pertinent contracts, and primarily because we
do not believe this would be in accordance with the wishes of the
Government."
|
|
12 Feb 1959
|
John Douglas, AVRO Contracts Manager, in a letter to D.L. Thompson, DPP,
revealed concern for the effects of cancellation of the company's work:
"Where Government cancellation has the effect of directly
increasing over-head cost allocation to commercial work and thereby
rendering the pricing inequitable, the Company feel that the increased
overhead charges should be considered a cost of the Government's
cancellation action."
|
|
Mid Feb 1959
|
Iroquois engines being readied for RL206
|
|
18 Feb 1959
|
John Plant tells David Golden, Deputy Minister DPP, that the company had
no plans for termination:
"That in the event we received the summary telegram saying 'Cease
all work' we would have no choice but to lay everybody off."
|
|
19 Feb 1959
|
Spud Potocki flies RL203 with D.E. "Red" Darrah, the first and only time
an Arrow flew with a passenger. Red was tuning the fly-by-wire system
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19 Feb 1959
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RL201 makes the last flight of the Arrow program
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20 Feb 1959
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"Black Friday" - The Government announces the Arrow and Iroquois engine programs are shut down.
Diefenbaker in the House of Commons:
"Mr. Speaker, with the leave of the House I should like to make a
somewhat lengthy statement on the subject of one facet on the national
defence of Canada. The announcement I wish to make has to do with the
decision regarding our air defence which was foreshadowed in the statement
made by me to the press on September 23 last.
The Government has carefully examined and re-examined the probable need
for the Arrow aircraft and the Iroquois engine know as the CF-105, the
development of which has continued pending a final decision.
The conclusion arrived at is that the development of the Arrow aircraft
and Iroquois engines should be terminated now.
Formal notice of termination is being given now to the contractors."
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20 Feb 1959
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By 9:30 the news was reaching the plant floor by wives, friends and
brokers. Just after 10:00 am Morley tells John Plant that the Arrow is
cancelled.
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20 Feb 1959
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The telegram to AVRO sent at 11:42 am, with a confirmation telegram to
Orenda at 12:36 pm.
TO AVRO ATTN J.L. PLANT MALTON (TCO VIA CN TELEGRAM)
FROM D.L. THOMPSON DPP OTTAWA
TAKE NOTICE THAT YOUR CONTRACTS BEARING THE
REFERENCE NUMBERS SET OUT BELOW INCLUDING ALL AMENDMENTS THERETO ARE
HEREBY TERMINATED AS REGARDS ALL SUPPLIES AND SERVICES WHICH HAVE NOT BEEN
COMPLETED AND SHIPPED OR PERFORMED THERE UNDER PRIOR TO THE RECEIPT BY YOU
THIS NOTICE STOP YOU SHALL CEASE ALL WORK IMMEDIATELY, TERMINATE
SUBCONTRACTS AND ORDERS, PLACE NO FURTHER SUBCONTRACTS OR ORDERS AND
INSTRUCT YOUR SUBCONTRACTORS AND SUPPLIERS TO TAKE SIMILAR ACTION STOP...
FEB 20/59 12:30
pm BC
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20 Feb 1959
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Plant tells the workers that the aircraft had been cancelled, that there
would be no further work done on the programme but was in no position to
comment until he received official information
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20 Feb 1959
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2 pm: J.L. Plant tells the workers "That there was no further work
and they would not come to work anymore until they were called for."
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20 Feb 1959
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AVRO and Orenda employees given termination notices by their respective companies
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22 Feb 1959
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Paul Hellyer comments on the 50th Anniversary of Flight in Canada and the death of the Arrow in Parliament
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23 Feb 1959
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50th Anniversary of Flight in Canada
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????
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Within days of cancellation, top engineers were heading elsewhere - many to
the United States and their aerospace programs.
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????
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AVRO puts forth six proposals:
- continuation of the Arrow
- production of an aircraft to replace the RCAF Sabres in Europe
- design of a jet transport for TCA and the RCAF (They had cut up the
Jetliner two years earlier)
- acceleration of work on the Avrocar
- design and production of equipment for the nuclear power industry
- participation in an expanded Commonwealth space program or U.S. projects
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????
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In Europe 1 Canadian Air Division (1 CAD) was being asked to switch to a
strike-reconnaissance role where Canadian pilots would carry nuclear
warheads against targets in the Soviet Union. More than twenty aircraft were
being considered
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????
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The Republic Aviation Corporation, an American company contender was the
Republic F-105 Thunderchief. In discussions with AVRO, announced that they
would have AVRO produce the Thunderchief for the RCAF and the Iroquois
engine could be used in some USAF aircraft.
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????
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The Lockheed F-14G Starfighter was chosen, Canadair would build the airframe
under license and Orenda would assemble the General Electric J-79 engine.
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Mar 1959
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Marcel Dassault sent an agent to Canada to discover the status of the
Iroquois project. They might still use it on the Mirage IV. If the federal
government had been prepared to write off development costs of $100 million,
costs that would be lost in any event by termination, then the Iroquois
certainly would be a marketable item.
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9 Mar 1959
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Diefenbaker was convinced the spectacular layoff of workers at Malton was
done to embarrass his Government. In a televised address "The
sudden, immediate, and precipitate and unfair action of the AVRO Company in
dismissing everybody on the the the decision was announced I didn't expect."
(Note: Apparently DPP did not inform the P.M. of Plant's action that would have to
be taken if the programme was cancelled.)
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13 Mar 1959
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Hugh Campbell, Chief of Air Staff (CAS), recommends disposal of the Arrow
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14 Apr 1959
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RCAF G/C Abe Lieff sends DDP orders to cut up and dispose of Arrow airframe and engines
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18 Apr 1959
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The Globe and Mail breaks the story of the destruction and
that newsmen are restricted from photographing the the scrapping.
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21 Apr 1959
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Raymond O'Hurley, Minister of DPP, in the House said all but one aircraft
was intact and photographs were restricted because the secret Hughes
electronic system was being removed
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22 Apr 1959
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O'Hurley rose in the House to correct his statement and confirmed that the
process of scrapping the Arrows had begun. Outside of the House he stated
the Hughes system had actually been installed in one aircraft.
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7 May 1959
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Bid Tenders went out to scrap the Arrows and clean up within a 90 day period
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11 May 1959
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Bids are opened
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12 May 1959
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All tooling jigs, parts in pieces and four MKIIs in various stages of completion being reduced to scrap.
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15 May 1959
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Sam Lax of Samco Steel wins the Bid and the deal is closed. $300,000 performance bond is put up by Sam Lax
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18 May 1959
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Scrapping of the Arrow begins
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5 Jun 1959
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M.S. (Mac) Kuhring, Head of engineering Lab, NRC and Interim Curator
National Aeronautical Museum sends a letter to DDP asking for parts he has
isolated in a cage at Malton. 26 pages of items showing the development of
the Arrow and its power plant
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June 1959
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Four months after canceling the Arrow program, the Government orders 214 F-104G Starfighter aircraft for $420 million.
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24 June 1959
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Herb Knott, a photographer, takes an unauthorized flight over Malton and
takes pictures of the "Death Row". Photos could not be published
until the photo ban lifted by the Government
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2 Jul 1959
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George Pearkes, MND, in the House of Commons, announces that the Starfighter
would replace the aging Canadian Sabre fleet in squadron use with NATO
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27 July 1959
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UK Ministry asks for 14 Arrow Reports to help with their development of the
TSR2. The TSR 2 program was eventually cancelled
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Aug 1959
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It was announced that the Starfighter airframe contract would go to Canadair Ltd., owned by
U.S. General Electric), under licence, and Engines to Orenda, to assemble the
General Electric J-79. Dual seat versions,
CF104D, to be built by :Lockheed
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28 Aug 1959
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Arrow engines are removed from RCAF roll
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31 Aug 1959
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Approval to give the UK the Arrow Reports by G/C Ed P. Bridgland for the CAS
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) [1999 Calendar published by Adlin Group]