So not an exploration per se, however I ended up poking around some hangars today and ran across a rather interesting and unexpected thing.
Hidden away on the outskirts of the airfield was a rather small aircraft, tucked away and seemingly forgotten in a small corner under a copious covering of cling wrap. Despite its clipped wings and tail section, it was obviously a fighter jet and as a rather avid aircraft enthusiast, of course I had to head over and check it out!
Now I have never run across an abandoned fighter in a field and looking on from a distance my mind was racing. Maybe a lost F-35 sample? LOL!
A country's power on the world stage is defined by its fighter jet technology. There are really only a handful of countries in the whole world who can attest to the money, cutting edge technology and engineering expertise to command control of the skies above. Many have tried and failed.
Moving toward, I drew ever closer. The cockpit end of the bagged up skeleton developed what appeared to be the all too familiar silhouette of the resplendent McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom. I suppose old jets have been used as lawn ornaments in the past, however the F-4 is still flying with many air forces around the world to this very day. Civilians don't really get their hands on these awesome pieces of engineering marvel.
Up close now. The front isn't quite an F-4. The wing sits too high. There was really only one plane that could be. With its gaping engine nacelles, chicken leg landing gear and swept wing lines. But how could it? There were only 5 of them built and they were all destroyed to shreds, ensuring that this level of technology could never fall into foreign hands... This airframe is of course a CF-105. An Avro Arrow. Its tail number RL-203.
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This aircraft represents Canada's colossal efforts to undertake the impossible. World class technology, years ahead of its time. So far ahead, some say, that the government pulled the plug and buried it so as not to tip the world balance of power. The technology didn't die. These companies went on to become leaders in aeronautics and space flight. The die hard engineers went on to design other aircraft, satellites and many worked for NASA.
After some head scratching and wonderment, I turned to the hivemind cause mystery. It seems that this was the museum quality replica from the now defunct Canadian Air & Space Museum at Downsview. The full story and some better photos can be found at the link below.
I really hope that parking it outside in a back lot is not what they mean by "public display".
A strange, cool find Look how light the landing gear is. It's payload had to be very limited. Looks more like a prototype to test flight characteristics than a warbird... or a jet drone.
Just when I thought I was out... they pulled me back in.
Sadly, it's been sitting at it's "storage location" for a few years now. It was pretty impressive to see it there, and a bit sad looking with its wrapping starting to tear off from neglect. All I wanted to do was jump that fence and unwrap the present, but that's clearly one of those "do not pass Go, do not collect $200 situations
Mmmmmm, Delta wing fighter. Mach 1.98, a good flyer too. And there was landing gear issues. Unfortunately there's not one intact example of this plane. Only pieces and this replica
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