The Avro Arrow vaulted Canada into the front ranks of theworld's militaryt aircraft design and manufacturing as the Cold War pittedworld powers against each other. It brought together the most brilliant mindsCanada had to offer, and more, in the quest for a jet fighter full of cuttingedge technology capable of flying at twice the speed of sound. But less than ayear after the Arrow's first test flight in March 1958, the program wascancelled and the few existing Avro Arrows and all their specs were put to thetorch in a controversy that reverberates even today. Aerospace historian ChrisGainor explores the decades-old reasons for the cancellation of the Arrow inthis detailed, well-balanced account:
* Did Prime Minister John Diefenbaker cancel the Arrow program for political reasons?
* What role did the U.S. government play in the Arrow's demise?
* In a time when intercontinental ballistic missiles were becoming a real threat, was the Avro Arrow needed?
* What took the place of the Avro Arrow in Canada's air defence?
* What was the impact of the Arrow's cancellation on Canada's economy?
* What happened to the brilliant team that helped create the Arrow?
* What don't we know about the destruction of completed Arrows after the program was cancelled?
These are among the many questions that surround theaircraft that never really had the chance to fly. |
