 The Canuck underwent a lengthy and troubled prototype stage before entering service seven years later in 1953.Nevertheless, it went on to become one of the most enduring aircraft of its class, serving in a variety of roles until 1981.Recognizing that the delays that affected the development and deployment of the CF-100 could also affect its successor, and the fact that the Soviets were working on newer jet-powered bombers that would render the CF-100 ineffective, the RCAF began looking for a supersonic, missile-armed replacement for the Canuck even before it had entered service.