There is great interest, and also value, in Avro Arrow memorabilia
Q I served as chief of the evaluation performance department at Avro Canada in Malton, Ont., during the 1950s while the Arrow jet was being developed.
This is a 30 centimetre (12inch) metal model of the ‘203’ I received after the third one was completed and tested, of four in total.
There’s also a boxed set of five pins from another family member with graphics including With Compliments of Avro Newsmagazine on Behalf of the Public Relations Department Avro Aircraft Limited.
Regardless of value I wonder if anyone would find it worthwhile to own these items.
I’ve always marvelled that I’ve never heard anyone point out that NASA’s space shuttles are just scaled-up versions of the Arrow. John, Oakville
A The Arrow was an amazing accomplishment of some of the brightest minds in aerospace development — James Chamberlin was key in the famous design. The Arrow was built as a potential interceptor of enemy aircraft and was believed to be better than anything existing anywhere in the world at the time and possibly for all time according to some.
The project was scrapped on Feb. 20, 1959 by the Diefenbaker government — known as Black Friday in the aviation industry.
The present hunt — already a success led by John Burzynski — for test vehicles used in the development of The Arrow that were launched from Prince Edward County shores and landing on the bed of Lake Ontario has escalated interest in any Avro aircraft items.
Although new models of the Arrow are available today, your incomplete original will still be worth about $100, and the very desirable set of boxed pins is easily worth $250.
Q I found this pin among a bag of other pins I bought years ago at a garage sale on Manitoulin Island.
It was tarnished, and after cleaning it I could read what was written on it — Avro Recreation Club.
It measures 1.27 by 0.95 cm (0.5 x 0.375 inches) with no identifying marks on the back of it.
Does it have any value? Many thanks. William, Smiths Falls
A. The volunteer-driven Avro Recreation Club Executive Committee boasted “you name it and it,” from big-band dances and golf tournaments to photography, angling, chess, model aircraft, bowling, children’s Christmas parties and family picnics.
All Avro Canada employees were encouraged to join for a nominal fee.
Your small but mighty pin has typically good Avro design with its robin’s egg blue and red enamel.
The origin of the winged triangle was the panel above the parent company’s (A.V. Roe) shed doors back in England, which in turn was inspired by the triangular Cape of Good Hope postage stamps.
It’s very rare and adds to a little-known piece of Avro history. It’s worth at least $75.
Q My father worked in the finance department at Avro, and later moved to Spar Aerospace. This “flying saucer” model has been collecting dust at his home for many years.
It’s marked “US Air Force U.S. army, AV-7055,” and also has some Avro decals. It’s missing two wheels on the bottom, but is otherwise in good shape.
Can you give me an approximate value? Wendy, Perth
A. Your dad’s model sheds light on a little-known chapter of the Avro story: the Avrocar, Canada’s flying saucer.
According to Avroland.ca, the craft was developed as a supersonic circular wing fighterbomber in the early 1950s, but, like its cousin the Arrow, was later abandoned by the Canadian government.
Design work continued with the support of first the U.S. air force and then the U.S. army, and two prototypes were built in 1959.
In test flights the Avrocar was reported to have been unstable above three feet, and the project was scrapped in December 1961.
As far as I can tell, fewer than 10 of these very rare plastic models — which were made available to employees in the ’50s — have surfaced on the collectibles market.
Condition of the missing feet might temper value if they can’t be reasonably replaced, but this is still a desirable object worth about $2,000. John Sewell is an antiques and fine art appraiser. To submit an item to his column, go to the ‘Contact John’ page at johnsewellantiques.ca. Please measure your piece, say when and how you got it, what you paid and list any identifying marks. A high-resolution jpeg photo must also be included. (Only email submissions accepted.) * Appraisal values are estimates only.*