The most advanced aircraft in the world was once built in Mississauga

A lot has been built in Mississauga throughout its history, but you might not know that one of those things was a highly advanced aircraft.

The Avro CF-105 “Arrow” was a delta-wing jet interceptor aircraft, designed and built by Avro Aircraft Limited (Canada) in Malton (now within the City of Mississauga), Ontario, Canada, as the culmination of a design study that began in 1953.

Go-ahead on the production of the CF-105 was given in 1955.

The AVRO Arrow was rolled-out for the public on October 4, 1957 and the first test flight took place on March 25, 1958.

The Arrow, and its accompanying Orenda Iroquois jet engine program were abruptly cancelled on February 20, 1959, sparking a long and bitter social and political debate.

The Arrow is still the subject of controversy.

At the time of its cancellation the Arrow was considered to be one of the most advanced aircraft in the world.

Avro Canada Plant at the Malton Airport, 1957

RL-201 in flight over Niagara Falls, 1958

RL-201 in flight over Malton, 1958

RL-201 landing on maiden flight, March 25, 1958

RL-201 landing on the maiden flight of the AVRO Arrow – March 25, 1958

RL-205 in flight, winter 1958

Roll-out of RL-201 – October 4, 1957

Roll-out of the AVRO Arrow, October 4, 1957

Roll-out of the first AVRO Arrow, October 4, 1957

Death Row – destruction of the five flying AVRO Arrow aircraft, 1959

All images are courtesy of Heritage Mississauga.