- Yes
- No
- Other
- 8.0
- 8.3
- 8.7
- 9.0
- Other
- Voted No
- United Kingdom
- United States
- A Canadian Tree/Sub-Tree
- Other
- Voted No
Hello everyone! Today I’ll be introducing you to a missile armed derivative of the CF-100 Mk.5, known as the Mk.5M
History:
The CF-100 Canuck holds a unique place in Canadian aviation history as the first—and only—Canadian-designed jet fighter to enter mass production and operational service. Developed in response to a 1946 requirement for a two-seat, all-weather interceptor capable of patrolling the Canadian Arctic, the aircraft was designed by Avro Canada under the leadership of John Frost and Jim Chamberlin. First flying in January 1950, the CF-100 evolved through several marks before reaching its most prolific variant, the Mk.5, which emphasized high-altitude performance and long-range interception. However, as air threats evolved and missile technology matured, the RCAF sought a way to enhance the lethality of the Canuck through guided missile armament.
The Mk.5M was developed as a testbed for integrating the Sparrow 2 Mk.1 active radar-guided missile, a weapon intended for the future CF-105 Arrow. While the CF-100 Mk.5 was armed with only two 29-tube rocket pods on each wingtip, the Mk.5M added four Sparrow missiles in addition to the rocket armament.
Initial work toward a Sparrow-armed Canuck began in 1955 under the proposed CF-100 Mk.6, which would incorporate both Sparrows and more powerful afterburning engines. Tail numbers 18300, 18301, and 18323 were allocated to the Mk.6 program. Only 18323 received afterburning engines before the Mk.6 project was cancelled in October 1957. The remaining two aircraft—18300 and 18301—were repurposed into the CF-100 Mk.5M program, a simplified Sparrow carrying variant, which Avro hoped might result in a production variant, though this would ultimately not materialize. These airframes were followed by 18626, 18638, 18639, 18653, 18664, 18671, and 18672.
The Sparrow 2 Mk.1, known as the AAM-N-3 Sparrow II, and later the AIM-7B Sparrow in the US, was an active radar homing derivative of the AIM-7 jointly developed in the US and Canada. Unlike modern active radar missiles, the Sparrow 2’s seeker was active as soon as it launched from the missile rail; it could also be fired in a simple boresight mode off the aircrafts optical sight. However, difficulties in developing a reliable missile saw the US Navy pulling out of the program in 1956 alongside the cancellation of the F5D. Development of the Sparrow II program was shifted over to Canadair after the US Navy left the program. The F4D-1 was still being pitched as a Sparrow II weapon platform as late as 1957, however it was never adopted, and the issues of the Sparrow II itself would never be resolved even up until its cancellation by the Canadian government in 1958.
The Mk.5M instead served as a missile integration and test platform. It played a key role in validating the Sparrow 2’s air launch characteristics and radar guidance compatibility. The aircraft operated out of Point Mugu, California, starting in December 1957, where it participated in missile trials. Aircraft involved in this phase included 18638 and 18639, flown by Avro test pilots Stan Haswell and Lorne Ursel. Despite some early erratic behavior from the missiles, successful guidance was achieved, including a direct hit on June 10, 1958.
By mid-1958, control shifted to a RCAF/CEPE team under Wing Commander Frank Phripp, as Avro staff were recalled to Malton. This missile trial project was known as SPRINT (SPaRrow INterception Trials) was run by CARDE (Canadian Armament Research and Development Establishment) using additional converted CF-100s—tail numbers 18229, 18306, 18425, 18426, 18429, 18453, and 18476. On September 3, 1958, Squadron Leader Speck achieved the first launch in this phase, with 18638. A follow-up launch occurred on September 11 before the Astra FCS and Sparrow 2 weapon for the Arrow was cancelled on the 18th. Even so the team was relocated to Cold Lake, Alberta with their supply of Sparrow 2’s and associated support equipment in hopes of keeping the program ready for reinstatement.
The cancellation of the CF-105 Arrow program in February 1959 also sealed the fate of the Sparrow 2 project. Without the Arrow to carry the missile operationally, support for Sparrow testing diminished. Nevertheless, CF-100 Mk.5Ms continued to fire missiles until August 1959, when the program was formally ended. Aircraft 18738 and 18739 were also slated for conversion but did not complete the process.
Though only 17 airframes were converted, the CF-100 Mk.5M remains an important chapter in Canadian aerospace history.
In-Game:
A variant of the previously suggested CF-100; a gunless interceptor with rockets and active homing missiles that would provide a unique gameplay style to whatever tree it is introduced into.
Specifications:
General characteristics :
Crew: 2
Length: 54 ft 2 in (16.5 m)
Wingspan: 57 ft 3 in (17.5 m)
Height: 14 ft 6 in (4.4 m)
Empty weight: 23,550 lb (10,682 kg)
Max takeoff weight: 36,750 lb (16,670 kg)
Powerplant: 2 × Orenda 11 or 17 turbojet engine producing 7,275 lbf (32.4 kN) of thrust.
Performance:
Maximum speed: 982 km/h (610 mph) at 1524 m (5,000 ft) at 93% throttle
Range: 3200 km (2000 mi)
Service ceiling: 14,630 m (48,000 ft)
Rate of climb: 51.8 m/s (10,200 ft/min)
Armament:
58x 70mm Mighty Mouse air-to-air rockets
4x Sparrow 2 Mk.1 active radar homing missiles
Other:
AN/APG-40 RADAR (42 km (30 mi) max scope range)
Engine Fire Extinguishing System
Sources:
Spoiler
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avro_Canada_CF-100_Canuck
https://www.silverhawkauthor.com/post/canadian-warplanes-6-avro-cf-100-canuck
ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE AIRCRAFT OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS CF100 MK 5, 1 MAR 60, Revised 18 Sep 64
The Avro CF-100 by Larry Milberry
Hawker Siddeley Canada - photo archive