Avro Canada Canuck (“Clunk”)

Overview

The RCAF named the CF-100 “Canuck,” after the much earlier Curtis JN-4 Canuck trainer of the First World War. However, the name Canuck was never really accepted for the jet aircraft and the crews more often referred to the type as the “Clunk”. The twin-engine, all-weather interceptor was designed and built entirely in Canada. The CF-100’s good climb, excellent fire control and radar systems, twin-engine reliability and all-weather capability made the aircraft highly suitable for Canadian and NATO air defence roles of the Korean and Cold War eras. Belgium also selected the design for its NATO forces. After a successful career in the RCAF/Canadian Armed Forces as a fighter, the aircraft type was later modified as an electronic countermeasures (ECM) trainer and was fitted with electronic ECM and chaff-dispensing equipment. A black paint scheme was chosen by Avro for the prototype aircraft and, to commemorate the type’s retirement, a Mark V aircraft was repainted in this original colour scheme.

Source: Canadian Combat and Support Aircraft: A Military Compendium by T.F.J. Leversedge © 2007. Translated and reproduced with permission of the author.

Technical specifications (Mk IV)

Source: Canadian Combat and Support Aircraft: A Military Compendium by T.F.J. Leversedge © 2007. Translated and reproduced with permission of the author.