The AVRO Arrow
Putting Malton on the Map
Construction of airport terminal, Malton, 1939. RPA/Harbour Commissioners' collection.
Toronto’s international airport was built in Malton in the late 1930s.
Housing and water shortages were chronic problems for local workers.
RPA/Russell K. Cooper collection.
Noise from the testing of engines and the Arrow itself as it broke the sound barrier served as a regular distraction for local schools and residents. Some residents jokingly blamed the nighttime running of the engine test cells for Malton's rising birth rate.
Extract from the official log book of the public school in Malton, noting noise levels from aircraft. RPA.
The impact of the aviation industry on Malton was for the most part positive and businesses such as Appleton's Garage and Abell's Drug Store prospered. The soda counter in Abell's Drug Store was a favourite spot for AVRO workers, although not many of them could be served at the same time.
Post card view of Malton, mid-1950s. RPA.
As the first Arrow became airborne, Malton made world headlines. For the next few years, this small village surrounded by farmland became the aviation capital of the world.
Official letterhead from the Village of Malton. RPA.
[ Mouse over image to enlarge ]
In the early 1950s, the Hon. Gordon Graydon, MP, was asked if the village of Malton was a suburb of Toronto. He replied, "Toronto is a suburb of Malton."
Until the 1930s, Malton was a small community containing a few stores, churches and a school. It began to grow in 1937 when Toronto's new airport was established southwest of the village and continued to develop during the Second World War with the production of Lancaster bombers at Victory Aircraft.
After the war, A. V. Roe (AVRO) purchased the Victory factory. By 1953, 18,000 men and women were working at AVRO producing the CF-100 for the Canadian Air Force. Work then began on a "top secret" project - a supersonic interceptor later named the Arrow.
Until the 1930s, Malton was a small community containing a few stores, churches and a school. It began to grow in 1937 when Toronto's new airport was established southwest of the village and continued to develop during the Second World War with the production of Lancaster bombers at Victory Aircraft.
After the war, A. V. Roe (AVRO) purchased the Victory factory. By 1953, 18,000 men and women were working at AVRO producing the CF-100 for the Canadian Air Force. Work then began on a "top secret" project - a supersonic interceptor later named the Arrow.
Revised: Wednesday April 21 2010
