Avro Canada CF-100 Canuck
Photo from the Canadian Department of National Defence CF-100
Avro Canada's first ever jet fighter was Canada's greatest indigenous aviation success; it was also the only jet fighter designed and built in Canada to into production. The CF-100 was designed to patrol Canada's extensive northern territories. At this it was very effective. The Canuck had superb range and endurance, and had the firepower and manoeverability to complete its intended mission with ease. Its intended mission was, of course, to shoot down Soviet aircraft coming over the north pole. CF-100's were the first line of defence for North America. The 100, offically designated Canuck was never popularly known by that name. The Canuck was lovingly reffered to by the people who worked with it as the Clunk or Lead Sled. Clunks served with the RCAF (Royal Canadian Air Force) in Europe and with NORAD (NORth american Aerospace Defence) in Canada, and with the Belgian Air Force. The CF-100 was far from being solely an interceptor, clunks served as fighter bombers, target tugs, electronic warfare aircraft, and were even evaluated by the USAF as tactical bombers in the competition which was eventually won by the BAe Canberra (B-57). The CF-100 was turned down because its bomb load was too light. Canucks were so successful in the RCAF that the EW versions were in service until September 1981. At their peak CF-100's equiped 13 front-line interceptor squadrons.
Specifications
(Data for CF-100 Mk.5)
Origin: A. V. Roe Canada Ltd.
Type: All-weather interceptor
Crew: 2
Powerplant: Two Avro Canada Orenda 11, 3 311 kg (7 300 lb) turbojets
Dimensions
Span: 57 ft 2 3/5 in (17.4 m)
Height: 14 ft 6 2/5 in (4.4 m)
Length: 54 ft 1 3/4 in (16.5 m)
Weight: 23 100 lbs (10 478 kg)
Performance
Maximum Speed: 554 mph (890 kph)
Cruising Speed: 472 mph (760 kph)
Climb Rate: 8 750 ft (2 670 m)/min
Range: 2 000 miles (3 219 km)
Service Ceiling: 45 000 ft (13 720 m)
Armament
2x Wingtip pods -- 29 rockets each
First Flight: January 19, 1950
User(s): RETIRED
Production: 692
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