MAC Forum

Greetings all. I am looking for a very specific ashtray and I hope some one can help. My grand parents ran a firm called "The Greater Toronto Ceramic Centre" in days gone by. When the Arrow was going through the test flights Grandpa got the licence from Avro to produce kiln fired ceramic ash trays with a miniature of the plane mounted on the side. Now here is where it "all goes south" Grandpa didn't keep any back for the family. They all went to Avro and when the PM scraped the program things like this were scattered to the proberial 4 winds. I do not even know how many were made Grandpa to that knowledge to the grave with him.

So if you have a ceramic arrow ash tray please contact me. I know where to look to identify if it was made by my grandparents. Because to be honest while yes it is a part of Canadian aviation history it ics also part of my personal history thT I want to bring home

Thanks

John Martin

Hi John,
I have this limited edition Avro Arrow of which 5,000 were made in the 1950's and mounted on a marble base. I believe they were made in Toronto. I used to have the original white box it came in but alas, no longer so I can't confirm the company.

That is very very interesting. Thanks for letting me see it but the one that I am specifically looking for is an ash tray as in what is used by smokers (LOL) This looks more like a trophy. The time period is right and it may have been remounted over the years. If you don't mind have a look under the fuselage and on the wings will be the initals "CM" for Charles Martin my Grandfather or "GM" my grand mother. If it doesn't have either set of initals it was not made by my grandparents.

Thanks and let me know what you find

John

Unfortunately, no initials on the bottom. Please post a pic if and when you find the ashtray you're looking for. I've only seen one other Arrow from this time period and it was also mounted on marble-the model apart from the base, seems to have been identical to mine. It sold on ebay for $868 a couple of years ago. i've posted a photo of that one here.

Well I appreciate you checking and yes I will post a photo if I ever find one

What can I say "The hunt contimues"

John

John and ? (m94x),

I am a new member here and came across this thread about the Avro Arrow ashtray. John, in all my years of collecting and searching for things "Arrow" I have never come across the ashtray built by your Grandfather and Grandmother. It sounds like a very nice item. If I ever do luck out and find an example I will definitely let you know.

M94x, I was the person who purchased that Arrow (in silver-washed titanium) on a marble base a few years ago. It is the only one I have discovered that commemorates the Arrow 1st Flight in March 1958. The other style, which is the identical model and base, has a small plaque on the base commemorating the Oct 1957 Roll Out. I have seen about four of those.

I also own the same limited edition Arrow model on the white Italian marble base that you have. I believe it commemorates the 40th anniversary of the 1st Flight...which would date it to 1998. As you can see the model is manufactured to be identical in form and size to the originals, however, being constructed of pewter and silver-plated. I still have the original blue box and certificate in storage but will need to locate it to let you know the maker.

Cheers,
Darryl

That is totally awesome you scored a nice find there and thanks for offering to keep an eye open for what I'm looking for

Scott,

Thanks for the comments and no problem on the Arrow ashtray. It would be nice to locate an example someday.

m94x,

I found the box and certificate for the Arrow limited edition 1st Flight Commemorative model. As I suspected, it is from 1998 and celebrates the 40th anniversary of the flight.

The model is made by Adlin Aviation Collectibles. Although it does not reveal the maker's location, I too assume that it is either in or near Toronto. Attached are two photos.

Cheers,
Darryl

Yes. I recognize it-I had five of them in boxes which I sold on EBay a few years ago for about $200 US each. I kept one of the models for myself. I have been working with a "master caster" to make a new model of the Arrow which I will post a photo of in case anyone is interested in purchasing.
Ed

That is rel cool did you get a chance to see the full size model of the Arrow yet at the Toronto International center?