The Jetliner was made by Avro, Canada. Avro then went on to design and manufacture
the Avro Arrow. The Jetliner had its first flight in August 1949 in Ontario, and reached
speeds in excess of 500 mph. (At the time, passenger planes typically flew
200 to 300 mph.) The Jetliner could have carried 60 passengers at a cruising speed
of 450 mph. During trials in 1950/51, the aircraft broke every passenger-transport
performance record on the books. The Jetliner was also the first jet to carry mail
in North America and the first commercial jet to fly in the United States.
In 1952, National Airlines contracted Avro for a small fleet. And, as a major
stakeholder in TWA, Howard Hughes was so impressed that he wanted 30
for his airline. The USAF was also enthusiastic, and allocated funds for the purchase
of 20 military Jetliners.
None of them received any planes. Due in large part to the advent of the Korean War,
the Canadian government ordered the Jetliner program halted in early 1951
and told Avro to focus on military aircraft production and tool up for the design
and manufacture of the CF-100 jet fighter, one of Canada's most successful
fighter aircraft. Only one Jetliner was built. It was used as data support platform
for the in-flight test program for the CF-100 but, since the government didn't want
more Jetliners, the first and final one was broken up for scrap in 1956
after seven years of faultless flying.
This painting is not just about the Jetliner but is also part of the story
of aviation designer and engineer James C. Floyd. As the designer, he gave the
aircraft its name, 'The Jetliner". As Vice-President and Director of Engineering
for Avro Canada, he was also responsible for Canada's most famous aircraft,
the Avro Arrow. The reflection of the Arrow can be seen on the tarmac.
After the Arrow was cancelled, Floyd took his team to England and conducted
the early feasibility studies for Hawker-Siddeley on the Concorde Supersonic
Transport. The little girl in the painting is holding that future in her hand.
Not unexpectedly, the Concorde bears a striking resemblance to the Arrow.
