The Avro CF-100 Canuck was built by Avro Canada at Malton, Ontario. It was designed specifically to meet the needs of the RCAF for a two-seater jet aircraft to intercept Soviet bombers entering Canadian air space, primarily in the far north. It carried one pilot and a navigator, and was equipped with ejection seats for both. Powered by two Orenda 11 engines, the Mark V’s top speed was about 900 km/h, and it had a range of 3,200 km. What it lacked in speed it made up for in reliability, excellent radar and fire control systems, and its ability to climb. Earlier versions of the Mark V carried 29 non-guided missiles in each wingtip pod.

Nicknamed the Clunk, but also known variously as the Lead Sled, The Zilch, and The Beat, the Avro CF-100 Canuck has a pride of place as the first all-weather fighter aircraft designed and built in large numbers in Canada. Almost 700 Canucks in various versions were manufactured between 1950 and 1958. Once they lost their original role as interceptors, some Canucks were used during NORAD exercises and as electronic counter-measures aircraft, until they started being phased out in 1981.

CF-100 18774 was officially taken on strength with the RCAF on October 8, 1958. It began its service flying with 428 All-Weather Fighter Squadron out of RCAF Station Uplands, Ontario, before eventually transferring to 410 All-Weather Fighter Squadron, also at RCAF Station Uplands. In 1961, 428 Squadron was disbanded and 410 Squadron started replacing its CF-100 Canucks with CF-101 Voodoos. CF-100 18774 was put into storage at RCAF Station Mountain View. It was officially removed from service in June 18, 1976, remaining in storage until it was transferred to the Museum in 1994.