CCI Aids Recovery of Avro Arrow Models

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CCI Newsletter, No. 29, June 2002

CCI Aids Recovery of Avro Arrow Models

by Nancy Binnie, Conservation Scientist, Conservation Processes and Materials Research

The development of the Avro Arrow CF-105 included the building and launch of eleven one-eighth scale models of the plane. Although all prototypes, blueprints, etc. for the Arrow were destroyed in 1959 when the project was terminated, these models were left to rest at the bottom of Lake Ontario. For the last 5 years, the Aerospace Heritage Foundation of Canada (AHFC) and Arrow Recovery Canada Inc. (ARC) have carried out research, side-scan sonar surveys, and fundraising in an effort to find nine of the models that were launched from Point Petrie near Picton, Ontario.

The survey work by AHFC and ARC is being carried out under an archaeological permit required by the Province of Ontario (issued each year, valid for a 1-year period). As the wreckage of these aircraft models constitutes a "heritage wreck" under the definition of the province, any recovery activities must be carried out using accepted archaeological and conservation practices.

As part of this project, CCI has completed a conservation plan for recovery phase operations which includes underwater recovery activities, surface assessment, cleaning, and transport.

AHFC and ARC are currently searching the lake bed around Point Petrie. Target areas are based on different interpretations of flightpath trajectory data and anecdotal information from ground observers present when the launches were carried out.

Any models recovered will be stabilized and studied, and then turned over to the Canada Aviation Museum in Ottawa or one of the other aviation museums that have offered to help restore and display an Arrow model. After many years submerged in water, recovered models are likely to require extensive restoration. This work will be carried out under the guidance of conservation or aircraft preservation professionals, with most hands-on work done by volunteers.

More information on the Avro Arrow CF-105 and this recovery project can be found on the Web sites of ARC (www.avroarrow.org) and AHFC (www.ahfc.org).