The Arrow Scrapbook Reviewed by Leonard "Viking1" Hjalmarson
	"Nobody told us we couldn't do it." - Jim Floyd, speaking about his days at Avro. In April, 1924, the Royal Canadian Air Force was born. Barely thirty years later, Canadian Engineers were drawing up plans for an advanced jet Interceptor. The engines to power this craft were two generations beyond anything that had yet seen the light of day. 1999 is the 75th Anniversary of the RCAF, now known simply as the air division of the Canadian Armed Forces. It's a proud history, but it is marred by political interference of colossal proportions. The Arrow Scrapbook celebrates a Canadian achievement that was killed by lack of foresight on the part of a few men. Yet was it simply lack of foresight, or were there larger forces at work? There is mystery and even some intrigue surrounding the cancellation of the Arrow. Peter Zuuring's scrapbook does justice to the events and the context of the times, and goes far beyond any other collection yet seen in documenting these events. The press release for the Arrow Scrapbook calls this "the Definitive collection of original documents, rarely seen photos,drawings, letters, and more..." Be assured that this is not an exaggeration. The Scrapbook comprises more more than 500 original documents and previously unpublished photos, drawings, letters. As if that weren't enough, there are also newly declassified Diefenbaker Cabinet minutes, and more. The Scrapbook follows Arrow enthusiast and author, Peter Zuuring, as he uncovers lost parts, drawings, plans and models in government institutions, warehouses and private basements. Zuuring's research overturns previously accepted Arrow doctrine, such as: Diefenbaker cancelled it The U.S. manipulated the cancellation Click to continue		B-47 being powered by the Iroqouis jet engines slated to power the prodution version of the Arrow. But there are other popular myths that are also quashed by Zuuring's investigations: It cost too much and Canada couldn’t afford it Nobody wanted it It would have fallen apart Nothing was saved It was 20 years ahead of its time It's a fascinating read, and if you have an interest in military aviation or aviation history, it's a must read. The biggest surprise for some will be learning about plans to rebuild the Arrow as a National project ready to celebrate 100 years of flight in Canada, in 2009. The following is excerpted by permission of the Arrow Alliance. By the early 1950s, A.V. Roe Canada Limited had several successes behind it. The first North American passenger Jetliner had flown, and the pre production models of the first all-weather subsonic fighter-interceptor, the CF-100 Canuck, were complete. Full production was being sorted out, although not without some major problems. The management team that was to oversee the Arrow program was in place, while government work provided an ever-increasing cash surplus. Go to Page Two
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