11/15/2020. Remarks by Johan Visschedijk: "Ordered as a Mk.2 and destined to be converted to the Mk.2P prototype of a photo reconnaissance version. As this project was cancelled, the aircraft was converted to the Mk. 4 prototype and first flew on October 11, 1952. Coded FB-S the aircraft was used by Avro Canada for development trials from Malton, Ontario. Chief Development Pilot Jan Zurakowski took it to Mach 1.06 on December 18, 1952.

From January 1954 on the aircraft was used for belly pack rocket firing, initially on a test stand, first aerial firing took place on February 11, 1954. During these firing tests the aircraft was struck in nose by rocket, but landed safely. Following an in-flight explosion, probably resulting from fuel leaks produced by heavy buffeting when modified rocket pallet was lowered, the aircraft crashed on August 23, 1954 near Ajax, Ontario, pilot Zurakowski ejected safely, however, test engineer Hiebert went down with aircraft."

Read the crash story and the History Brief .