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Twenty-six
years ago, on 25 January 1979, the first Aurora aircraft, number 140101,
was officially rolled-out from the Lockheed Production hanger in
Burbank, California. Approximately 800 distinguished guests witnessed
this historic event. Among these guests were approximately 150 Canadian
Forces personnel who were attached to the CP-140 Burbank Detachment.
Mrs
C.R. Nixon, wife of Canada’s Deputy Minister of Defence, christened
140101 by affixing a Canadian Flag to its fuselage.
The
Roll-out was an emotional moment for some of the Canadians present
who had been involved with the Argus Replacement Project since 1961 when
the initial requirements document, Topsie One, established the
requirements for a new Long Range Patrol Aircraft to replace the Argus.
During the next 18 years the requirements were refined and the
specifications for the Aurora were defined.
But at long last the Aurora emerged from her birthplace ready to
take flight and on 22 March 1979 she eagerly leapt into the air.
Brushpilot
Geoff Bennett (former Argus pilot) captures the moment as Aurora 101
emerges from the Lockheed Hangar 360.
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