Why did Canada stop making the Avro Arrow?

On February 20, 1959, Prime Minister John Diefenbaker cancelled the Avro CF-105 Arrow jet-fighter interceptor program. The Arrow’s mounting costs, technical delays and government budget reductions contributed to its demise.

What was so special about the Avro Arrow?

The Avro CF-105 Arrow was designed to defend Canada against bomber attacks from the Soviet Union. It represented remarkable achievements in aerodynamics, computer-assisted flight technology, fabrication, flight-control, engine design, and speed.

Was the Avro Arrow really good?

Canadian engineers built an incredibly advanced jet in the late 1950—and although it was perhaps the world’s most advanced fighter, it was scrapped after just five prototypes. Despite being a small country, Canada punched above its weight in aerospace design. …

Who Killed the Avro Arrow?

Chris Gainor is a historian of technology specializing in space exploration and aeronautics. He has written six books on the history of space exploration and on the Avro Canada CF-105 Arrow, a jet interceptor aircraft canceled by the Canadian government in 1959.

Why was Cancelling the Avro Arrow bad?

Pictured above: Avro’s concept for a lunar rover. So why was the Avro Arrow cancelled by the Canadian government in 1959? “The official reason given by the Diefenbaker government [at that time] was that the Arrow was too expensive, and it was no longer worth the money,” Cohen said.

What happened when the Avro Arrow was Cancelled?

Though the Arrow was widely praised for its power and beauty, the program was cancelled in February 1959 by the government of Prime Minister John Diefenbaker. This resulted in the loss of at least 25,000 direct and indirect jobs. Many believe that the Arrow’s cancellation was a betrayal of Canada’s aerospace industry.

Why was Cancelling the Avro Arrow a bad idea?

So why was the Avro Arrow cancelled by the Canadian government in 1959? “The official reason given by the Diefenbaker government [at that time] was that the Arrow was too expensive, and it was no longer worth the money,” Cohen said. “Avro as a company was going through millions of taxpayer dollars.”

Did Diefenbaker make the right decision when he Cancelled the Avro Arrow?

YES. Though he can be faulted for temporizing, Conservative Prime Minister John Diefenbaker made the right decision when he canceled the CF-105 Avro Arrow program in 1959 (and the Liberals would have done exactly the same thing if re-elected in 1957).

Was the cancellation of the Avro Arrow justified?

Was the Avro Arrow ahead of its time?

Chief engineer Charles Grinyer called the Arrow “a considerable challenge in aerodynamics, thermodynamic, and mechanical design as well as manufacturing technology.” It had to be, since its performance requirements were ahead of its time.

What government Cancelled the Avro Arrow?

Diefenbaker government
On 20 February 1959, before the Arrow could enter military duty, the Diefenbaker government cancelled the Arrow project. Overnight, more than 14,000 people, many of them highly skilled, lost their jobs. The day would come to be known as Black Friday in the Canadian aviation industry.

Does the Avro Arrow still exist?

It is the most fabled aircraft in Canadian history. When it was built the Avro Arrow was considered the best plane ever produced, and to some it stands up even today. But despite all the accolades the program was halted and everything from the planes to the plans was ordered destroyed.