Avro Canada CF-100 Canuck
Avro Canada · Canada · first flew 1950 · fighter
The Avro Canada CF-100 Canuck was Canada's only domestically designed and produced jet fighter, serving as the RCAF's primary all-weather interceptor through the 1950s and into the 1960s. Its straight wing was unusual among contemporary jet fighters.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × turbojet, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 16.5 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Straight-wing twin-jet all-weather interceptor — one of the few straight-wing jets
- Side-by-side tandem crew in long greenhouse canopy
- Wingtip rocket pods on Mk 4 and 5 variants
A large, straight-wing twin-jet interceptor with engines buried in the wing roots, a two-seat tandem cockpit under a long canopy, and a conventional tail; the straight wing immediately distinguishes it from swept-wing contemporaries like the F-86 Sabre.
Specifications
- The Avro Canada CF-100 Canuck has a length of 16.5 m (54 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 17.4 m (57 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 1050 km/h (652 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
First flown in January 1950, the CF-100 entered RCAF service in 1953 and equipped squadrons in Canada and with NATO in Europe. Belgium was the only export customer, acquiring 53 examples. The aircraft was replaced in Canadian service by the CF-101 Voodoo from 1961, but Belgian aircraft served until 1964.
Variants
Marks 1 through 3 were development and early production versions; the Mk 4 with wingtip rocket pods was the primary interceptor; the Mk 5 had extended wingtips for higher-altitude operation.
Where you'll see it
Served with the RCAF and the Belgian Air Force; RCAF CF-100s performed NORAD interception duties over Canada and NATO duties in Europe.
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