The first supersonic airplane was built in Canada

It is no stretch of the imagination to say that the first supersonic airplane was built in Canada. It is one of the most fascinating stories in all of the annals of Canadian Aviation.

The first Arrow took only 28 months from the release of the first drawings in June of 1955 to roll out in October 1957. The cost for the construction of the first aircraft was in the neighborhood of 15 to 20 labour hours per pound, whereas 25 to 40 labour hours were normal under previous methods. When this saving in labour is multiplied by the aircraft airframe weight (20 tons), the saving results was spectacularly effective compared to the old construction methods.

One of the best features of the Arrow was the ease of converting it to a number of different roles, due to its large and easily exchanged armament bay. The bay was three feet high, eight feet wide and eighteen feet long, larger than the bomb bay of the B-29 Bomber. An armament pack could be hoisted up into the belly of the aircraft and attached at four points. It was also possible to put into three packs a variety of equipment including extra fuel tanks, and possibly bombs. It made the Arrow a very neat and tidy aircraft, compared with the large array of equipment hanging underneath the wings of most modern aircraft, assigned to carry out the same role.

The unveiling ceremonies of the Arrow culminated what had begun six years earlier as the germ of an idea in the minds of a small group of creative Canadian civilian and military engineers. The supersonic delta concept was not new, but these people felt it was possible for Canada, through engineering and production facilities of Avro, to design and produce in quantity an advanced aircraft type to meet the threat of future developments of potential enemy bombers.

About 12,000 people viewed the roll out of the plane, including representatives of Military, Government and industry from NATO countries.

The Honorable George R. Pearkes V.C., Minister of National Defence at the time, unveiled the Arrow with these words: “I now have the pleasure of unveiling the AVRO ARROW – Canada’s first supersonic aircraft – a symbol of a new era for Canada in the air.”  He continues,“this event today marks another milestone – the production of the first Canadian supersonic airplane. I am sure that the historian of tomorrow will regard this event as being equally significant in the annals of Canadian aviation."

The whole objective of the Arrow’s development was a flying weapons system capable of intercepting and destroying a high speed bomber invading Canada.

The aircraft was the delivery system, and the electronic system and weapons were the search and destroy arms. However, this total weapons system that was to be developed for the arrow lacked political will to continue. The system and missile the Canadian Air Staff insisted be developed, were far in advance of anything contemplated at that time and therefore, the projected price tag was enormous. The magnitude of these costs, when projected into production, and squadron service, exceeded the total cost of the aircraft development and procurement program. The combined programs of the aircraft and its weapons quickly became too expensive for the Canadian Government to fund.

Four years later on February 20, 1959, at about 11:00 a.m., the Prime Minister of Canada announced in the House of Commons termination of Arrow.

Following the cancellation of the Arrow Program, a further decision was made to dispose of all the aircraft, spares, etc. Five Arrow 1 aircraft with Pratt and Whitney J-75 engines installed, had already flown a total of 70 hours 30 minutes. One completed Arrow 2 aircraft, partly fitted with Iroquois engines, was almost ready to fly, and other Arrow 2’s in various stages of final assembly were available.

General Electric had announced that they would like to use the Arrows and were prepared to pay a substancial price for them, including purchase of spares, in a straight commercial deal, but the Canadian Government turned them down.

The United Kingdom also offered to buy a few of the Arrows for research and understanding the aero-dynamics. Two Arrows could be used in the various test programs, with the third being held as a spare. It was believed that they would be able to save a great amount of money and thus speed up the development time of the Anglo-Franco aircraft that became “The Concorde.”

The U.K. approached the Canadian Government about acquiring the Arrows. They were told not to pursue the matter, for if they did, the Canadian Government would be in the embarrassing position of having to say an official “No!”… no Arrows would ever leave Canada.!

A short time later the government scrapped all the Arrows.

The Aftermath of Rape

The emotional impact of rape can be profound from the first moments of the attack and for years afterward. The survivor reacts initially with a sense of isolation, helplessness, and a total loss of self. How the survivor handles the severe stress of this crisis usually falls into a recognizable pattern.

The acute reaction phase usually lasts for a few days to a few weeks. Typically,  there is a reaction of shock, fear, disbelief, and emotional turmoil. Guilt, shame, anger, and outrage are commonly seen in those survivors who are able to talk about their feelings. Others adopt a more controlled style, they have an apparent calmness that may indicate that they are forcing an attitude of control or are denying the reality or impact of the experience.. 

This phase is usually followed by a post-traumatic episode  which can last weeks or months. The survivor undergoes a limited degree of coming to grips him/herself and their situation. Superficially, the experience may seem over. They try to relate to their family and friends, return to everyday activities and tries to be relaxed cheerful. But deep down inside the fears, self-doubts, and feelings about the experience are still there. 

The final phase, a long-term regrowth and recovery process, varies considerably depending upon the survivor's age, personality, available support systems, the treatment by others. Frightening  flashbacks and nightmares are common. For women, fears about being alone, suspicious men and fear of sexual activity surface with distressing frequency. Proper therapy may be needed to deal with these fears and the depression that often occurs.

One study showed that 22 months after being raped almost half the women reported some form of fear, anxiety, or symptoms of depression; many also had trouble sleeping, feeling of vulnerability, and fear of walking alone, even during the day. 

The most common symptom almost 2 years after the rape was generalized suspicion of others.  Notably, acquaintance rape is just as emotionally devastating as rape by a stranger.

Based on my own research in an isolated community, out of 100 women I interviewed, 90% had been sexually abused by a family member and 75% were under the age of twelve.  

The biggest challenge in all cases is to recognize that it is an act of violence and power over women and children. It has nothing to do with sex.