CF-105 Arrow
Overview
Overview
One of the most famous aircraft in Canadian history, the CF-105 Arrow never made it into operational use with the Royal Canadian Air Force although it was flown by RCAF test pilots. The CF-105 Arrow was a supersonic all-weather two-seat interceptor designed and produced by Avro Aircraft Limited in Malton, Ontario. Avro had avoided the normal prototype stage and launched directly into manufacture of production aircraft. Five pre-production standard aircraft were outfitted with J-57 engines and flight test systems. The sixth aircraft was equipped with the full production Orenda Iroquois engines but this aircraft never flew before the program was cancelled. A total of 31 more aircraft were also in production when the entire effort was terminated by the federal government on February 20, 1959.
| Model No |
|
|---|---|
| Marks |
Mk I, Mk II |
| Role |
Fighter |
| Taken on Strength |
1958 |
| Struck off Strength |
1959 |
| Number |
5 |
| Service |
Ordered by RCAF |
Technical Specifications
Technical Specifications (for Mark I aircraft)
| Manufacturer | Avro Canada |
|---|---|
| Crew / Passengers | Two (pilot and a navigator / weapons officer) |
| Powerplant | Two Pratt & Whitney J-57 P5 turbojet engines each with 12,500 pounds thrust (18,000 pounds in after burner) |
| Maximum Speed | Mach 2.0 or 700 knots (1,297 km/h) |
| Service Ceiling |
53,000 ft (15,240 m) |
| Combat Radius | 300 miles (483 km) |
| Empty Weight | 48,923 lb (22,211 kg) |
| Gross Weight | 57,000 lb (25,855 kg) |
| Maximum Take-off Weight | 68,600 lb (31,144 kg) |
| Span | 50 ft (15.24 m) |
| Length | 77 ft 10 in (23.71 m) |
| Height |
21 ft3 inches (6.48 m) |
| Wing Area |
1,225 ft2 (113.8 m2) |
| Armament | Provisions for internal carriage of up to four AIM-4 Falcon or Sparrow 2 missiles |
| Cost | Unknown |
Source: Canadian Combat and Support Aircraft: A Military Compendium by T.F.J. Leversedge ©2007. Reproduced with the permission of the author.
