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The T-Bird is a two-seat derivative
of the Lockheed-designed P-80 "Shooting Star", the
world's first full-production jet fighter!
The RCAF acquired 20 USAF T-33As in May 1951 as
interim aircraft until the Canadair Corporation could
spool-up their T-Bird production line. The Canadair
plant in Cartierville PQ rolled out the first
Canadian-manufactured T-33, CT-133001, in December
1952.
The CT-133, slightly heavier than the original design,
utilized the Rolls-Royce NENE-10 engine, which had
greater thrust and was more reliable than the original
Allison J-33 engine fitted to the T-33A. The Canadair
production run continued until April of 1959 with
CT-133656 finishing the Canadian line. The aircraft
had a maximum speed of 505 KIAS, a service ceiling of
47,000 ft and a range of more than 1,000 nautical
miles.
Accommodating a variety of external and internal
payloads, the T-33 was the most widely employed
aircraft in the CF inventory.
Nearly every RCAF station or CF Base had a T-Bird unit
or detachment and they served with nearly every
squadron that operated jet aircraft. Affectionately
dubbed a "Real Maintainers" airframe (owing to the
hands-on and 'creative' approach required for
maintenance), the T-33 was cared-for by scores of
engineers and literally thousands of technicians over
it's service life.
Originally acquired for pilot training and
air-to-ground gunnery practice, hundreds of RCAF and
CF pilots earned their wings on the T-Bird.
The role of pilot training was given to the CT-114
"Tutor" in 1974 but, given the T-33's reliability and
low operating costs, it continued a yeoman's service
in a host of roles from combat support for the Army,
Navy and the Air Force to electronic warfare training,
for many years. The T-33 was withdrawn from operations
with 1 CAD units in the summer of 2002, 409/414, 417,
420/434 and 439 Sqns. being the last Air Force units
to fly the T-Bird.
Sadly, there have been 168
A-Category (fatality or aircraft destroyed) accidents
over the service life of the T-33, including 96
fatalities. |
Three souls are still listed as
'missing'. The last T-33 accident occurred in western
Nova Scotia in 1993 claiming the life of the pilot,
Captain Harry Munro.
The last CF unit to operate the T-33 is the Aerospace
Engineering Test Establishment (AETE). Based at 4 Wing
Cold Lake, AETE's mandate is to support the CF
airworthiness program. Housed in the Canadian
Flight-Test Centre, this ADM (MAT) unit is responsible
for all airworthiness testing and engineering
evaluation activities for the CF and other customers.
AETE currently operates five T-33s which are used for
a wide range of missions including utility and aircrew
proficiency, photo chase, equipment calibration and
flight-test support.
AETE has one T-33 specially modified to conduct
ejection seat trials. This aircraft has had the aft
cockpit removed to make room for a unique
ejection-seat rail system that can accommodate nearly
any model of ejection seat.
Of the final five aircraft, one has been donated to
the Cold Lake heritage museum and the others will be
ferried to the CF aircraft storage facility in
Mountainview, Ontario, for disposal.
The retirement of the T-33 will be marked by a
reception at the 4 Wing Officer's Mess followed by a
T-Bird themed Mess Dinner on the occasion of the
anniversary of the RCAF. A twilight flypast, the very
last for the T-33, will open the Mess Dinner and
formally close T-Bird operations.
The T-33 retires as one of the most versatile,
successful and respected jet aircraft ever produced.
As of March 31, the "Silver Star" will have flown in
RCAF or CF service for nearly 55 years and will have
logged nearly 2.4 million flight hours!
A set of bronze plaques, which will be dedicated at a
ceremony at 4 Wing, will be set with a T-33 gate
guardian in the City of Cold Lake.
These tablets honour the men and women who served with
the T-33 and commemorate the distinguished service of
the Silver Star, forever. |
