C102 Jetliner – Fast Facts
Conceived in 1945, with the support of the Canadian Government, the Avro C102 Jetliner was designed to satisfy a Trans Canada Airlines (TCA) specification for a new transport aircraft.
Designed as an inter-city regional jet, with a top speed in excess of 500 mph and a service altitude of 35,000 ft., Avro’s new Jetliner doubled the speed and tripled the altitude of conventional propeller driven transport aircraft.
Avro’s Jetliner flew for the first time on August 10, 1949.
Canada’s Jetliner was the first jet transport in North America and second in the world by only 13 days to Britain’s ill-fated DeHaviland Comet which, following a series of fatal crashes, required a total redesign before re-entering service in 1958.
First flown by Avro test pilot, Jim Orrell, the Jetliner was usually flown by corporate pilots Don Rogers or Mike Cooper-Slipper.
The Jetliner would still meet the specification for modern day “Regional Jets” or RJ’s as they are but a re-incarnation of Avro’s “Inter-City Jet” concept.
TCA issued a report on Feb 25, 1948 to the effect that the Jetliner design no longer suited its needs – its new president Gordon McGregor, flatly indicating that he did not want TCA to be the first to use jet transports.
Trans Canada Airlines, although commenting that the quality, craftsmanship and performance of the Jetliner exceeded anything in their fleet, ultimately reneged on its contract for Avro Jetliners in favor of government-sponsored production of North Star propeller driven aircraft.
Although American billionaire owner of Trans World Airlines, Howard Hughes wanted thirty Jetliners, the Canadian Government refused to let Avro build them or let Hughes build them under license in California.
A Dept of National Defense memo dated Aug 14, 1951 confirms a U.S. Airforce order for twelve Jetliners – the Government never advised Avro of the order, instead insisting development of the plane be discontinued.
Minister of Trade C.D. Howe, in a letter to Avro Aircraft dated Nov 12, 1951, specified that Avro was to no longer pursue development projects such as the Jetliner.
Howe’s restriction of Jetliner development negated a potential ten aircraft contract with National Airlines of Miami, Florida.
Eastern Airlines was showing interest in purchasing the Jetliner if only as a means to remain competitive with National Airlines.
United Airlines was evaluating the possibility of developing an American version of the aircraft under a “prototype” bill passed by Congress.
The USAF wanted the Jetliner “to examine the exciting possibility of refueling jet fighter aircraft while in flight” – now a military standard that landed Boeing of America a 70 billion contract for tanker aircraft in 2003.
While only the 36-passenger prototype aircraft ever flew, construction of a second, and larger 55-passenger version had commenced but was never completed.
Oct 4, 1949 – Government Minister C.D. Howe declares “the first official flight of the C102 (Jetliner) an epic making event in the story of Canadian aviation.”
The Jetliner flew the first bag of jet airmail into New York on April 18, 1950 - the company and crew receiving rave reviews from American media and dignitaries.
Dept of Transport Chief Test Pilot, Des Murphy, in a report dated April 5, 1950 stated that “it is believed that most pilots flying the aeroplane (Jetliner) in its present stage of development would be agreeably impressed with its general handling and performance.”
Denied access to markets by the Canadian Government, Avro used the Jetliner as a corporate aircraft for some seven years – it’s speed making it possible to film such things as Canuck fighter in-flight weapons tests.
The only flying Jetliner, having flown over 500 hours but now in need of inspection and service, was cut to scrap in December 1956.
Designed as an inter-city regional jet, with a top speed in excess of 500 mph and a service altitude of 35,000 ft., Avro’s new Jetliner doubled the speed and tripled the altitude of conventional propeller driven transport aircraft.
Avro’s Jetliner flew for the first time on August 10, 1949.
Canada’s Jetliner was the first jet transport in North America and second in the world by only 13 days to Britain’s ill-fated DeHaviland Comet which, following a series of fatal crashes, required a total redesign before re-entering service in 1958.
First flown by Avro test pilot, Jim Orrell, the Jetliner was usually flown by corporate pilots Don Rogers or Mike Cooper-Slipper.
The Jetliner would still meet the specification for modern day “Regional Jets” or RJ’s as they are but a re-incarnation of Avro’s “Inter-City Jet” concept.
TCA issued a report on Feb 25, 1948 to the effect that the Jetliner design no longer suited its needs – its new president Gordon McGregor, flatly indicating that he did not want TCA to be the first to use jet transports.
Trans Canada Airlines, although commenting that the quality, craftsmanship and performance of the Jetliner exceeded anything in their fleet, ultimately reneged on its contract for Avro Jetliners in favor of government-sponsored production of North Star propeller driven aircraft.
Although American billionaire owner of Trans World Airlines, Howard Hughes wanted thirty Jetliners, the Canadian Government refused to let Avro build them or let Hughes build them under license in California.
A Dept of National Defense memo dated Aug 14, 1951 confirms a U.S. Airforce order for twelve Jetliners – the Government never advised Avro of the order, instead insisting development of the plane be discontinued.
Minister of Trade C.D. Howe, in a letter to Avro Aircraft dated Nov 12, 1951, specified that Avro was to no longer pursue development projects such as the Jetliner.
Howe’s restriction of Jetliner development negated a potential ten aircraft contract with National Airlines of Miami, Florida.
Eastern Airlines was showing interest in purchasing the Jetliner if only as a means to remain competitive with National Airlines.
United Airlines was evaluating the possibility of developing an American version of the aircraft under a “prototype” bill passed by Congress.
The USAF wanted the Jetliner “to examine the exciting possibility of refueling jet fighter aircraft while in flight” – now a military standard that landed Boeing of America a 70 billion contract for tanker aircraft in 2003.
While only the 36-passenger prototype aircraft ever flew, construction of a second, and larger 55-passenger version had commenced but was never completed.
Oct 4, 1949 – Government Minister C.D. Howe declares “the first official flight of the C102 (Jetliner) an epic making event in the story of Canadian aviation.”
The Jetliner flew the first bag of jet airmail into New York on April 18, 1950 - the company and crew receiving rave reviews from American media and dignitaries.
Dept of Transport Chief Test Pilot, Des Murphy, in a report dated April 5, 1950 stated that “it is believed that most pilots flying the aeroplane (Jetliner) in its present stage of development would be agreeably impressed with its general handling and performance.”
Denied access to markets by the Canadian Government, Avro used the Jetliner as a corporate aircraft for some seven years – it’s speed making it possible to film such things as Canuck fighter in-flight weapons tests.
The only flying Jetliner, having flown over 500 hours but now in need of inspection and service, was cut to scrap in December 1956.
