Based on Hurst’s eyewitness account, the expedition team was able to start the mission with confidence. After the team got the ThunderBird in the water, Burzynski told CBC TV, “We’re starting with the high-probability areas. You won’t have to wait for weeks and months. This will be within days.”
Even though Burzynski had told them it wouldn’t take long for something to be discovered, the media was still surprised by how quickly the team produced results. Burzynski knew the team was prepared, and his confidence paid off.
A Needle In A Haystack
In another interview, Senior Engineer David Shea shared his thoughts with The Globe and Mail about what would lead to a successful expedition. “People ask, 'Well, do you think you are going to find them?' The problem isn't the technology. The problem is making sure you are looking in the right place.”
Considering Point Petre was the point where the Avro Arrow prototypes were launched from, it was thought to be the best place to start the search. And what do you know, they found what they were looking for!
An Eyewitness Account
One of the few remaining witnesses of the prototype launches, Jack Hurst, was eager to help the expedition team out. It may have been more than six decades, but fortunately, the launch was a memorable event.
He described the event, explaining how the models went a few thousand feet in the air. With Hurst’s directions, the team knew where to start.
Twelve Days Later
Just twelve days later, Burzynski had good news to share with the public. “Well, we found one,” he eagerly revealed. At this time, it was late July. The “Raise The Arrow” exploration team had proof that the Avro Arrows remained at the bottom of Lake Ontario.
However, it would be months before the prototype they found would see the day of light. As the public patiently waited for the model to be brought to land, it remained in the murky waters. People couldn’t wait to see the artifacts, but they were kept waiting until 2018.
Amazing Canadians...
Canadians watched as history was made right in front of their eyes. The thought of bringing the Avro Arrows to the surface of the lake kept everyone on edge. David Shea was excited for the exploration team using new technology to achieve the mission. He expressed his feelings in an interview.
“I think being able to showcase using cutting-edge Canadian technology — being our sonar systems and underwater vehicles — to actually find and resurrect cutting edge Canadian technology… I think it’s an amazing example of what we can do as Canadians looking back at our history.”