C102 Jetliner – Fast Facts - Part 2
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.”
