Avro Arrows by Neil Medcalf

Aircraft Resource Center

Avro CF-105 Arrow

What could have happened had it been built-

Concepts by Alvis Petrie and Neil Medcalf

Article by Neil Medcalf

Photos by Alvis Petrie and Neil Medcalf

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The Canadian designed Avro Arrow was to be the worlds greatest interceptor at the time it was to enter service with the Canadian Air Force. However the government of the day had other ideas about what to do with her.

After a couple of brain storming sessions these are just a few of the ideas that we came up with as to what could have happened instead. We only had three weeks to put most of these models together for our first display of Arrows at the local mall in February of 2000.

We ran out of models and money before our ideas! Some are just too funny and too politically sensitive to do!

All 8 models on this page were built by Neil Medcalf

Target Drone: 1960-

After the cancellation of the Arrow the previous year, the six completed Arrows were converted for use as target drones. RL203 was the longest to survive having had 12 Bomarcs launched against it before the 13^th finally blew it out of the sky!

Click on images below to see larger images

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CIA Arrow: 1961-

After the cancellation, the CIA posing as scrap dealers bought the Arrows and rebuilt them as reconnaissance aircraft. They flew them out of the US DEW bases in Canada over Russian Airspace. After the Gary Powers incident they added the false Canadian Markings.

RCN SeaF-105: 1960’s-

With the Arrow being such an export success the Canadian government was able to afford to refit the Navy with two new aircraft carriers- The HMCS Longbow and the HMCS Crossbow, and filled their decks with naval Arrows.

RAAF : 1966-

After the delays in the F-111 program, Australia decided to buy the Canadian Avro Arrow. Only some of the plans arrived printed ‘upside down’. This error went unnoticed and created a different look for these “down under” aircraft.

RAF QRA: 1968-

Avro UK licensed built 200 Arrows for the RAF in the sixties. Many served along side the Lightning interceptor on Quick Reaction Alert duties.

CAF Tiger Arrow: 1969-

Specially painted for the annual Tiger meet. This Arrow became one of the most famous. Its paint scheme is a favorite among modelers.

RAF Red Arrows: 1970’s- 1980’s-

Of the 200 Arrows used by the RAF those used by the RAF’s Red Arrows Aerobatic team were the most popular at any airshow. With nine Arrows flying in close formation, it was a sight many loved to see.

RAF WWII : 1994- Special paint scheme for Remembrance Day. This restored Arrow carried the markings of Johnnie Johnson, CO of the Canadian 144 and 127 wings during WWII. As the only flying Arrow at the time it was spectacular site. Several more are now undergoing restoration.

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