Lockheed T-33

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T-33 Shooting Star
Two T-33s from the 95th Fighter Interceptor Training Squadron in flight near Tyndall AFB, Florida. The farther aircraft has been repainted and renumbered in anticipation of its delivery to the Mexican air force.
Role Training aircraft
Manufacturer Lockheed
Designer Clarence "Kelly" Johnson
First flight 22 March 1948
Primary users United States Air Force
United States Navy
Japan Air Self Defense Force
German Air Force
Produced 1948–1959
Number built 6,557
Developed from Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star
Variants Lockheed T2V SeaStar
Canadair CT-133 Silver Star
Developed into Lockheed F-94 Starfire
Boeing Skyfox

The Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star (or T-Bird) is an American jet trainer aircraft. It was produced by Lockheed and made its first flight in 1948 piloted by Tony LeVier. The T-33 was developed from the Lockheed P-80/F-80 starting as TP-80C/TF-80C in development, then designated T-33A. It was used by the U.S. Navy initially as TO-2 then TV-2, and after 1962, T-33B. Despite its age, the T-33 remains in service worldwide.

Contents

Design and development[edit]

The T-33 was developed from the Lockheed P-80/F-80 by lengthening the fuselage by slightly over three feet and adding a second seat, instrumentation and flight controls. It was initially designated as a variant of the P-80/F-80, the TP-80C/TF-80C.[1]

Design work for the Lockheed P-80 began in 1943 with the first flight on 8 January 1944. Following on the Bell P-59, the P-80 became the first jet fighter to enter full squadron service in the United States Army Air Forces. As more advanced jets entered service, the F-80 took on another role—training jet pilots. The two-place T-33 jet was designed for training pilots already qualified to fly propeller-driven aircraft.

Originally designated the TF-80C, the T-33 made its first flight on 22 March 1948 with US production taking place from 1948 to 1959. The US Navy used the T-33 as a land-based trainer starting in 1949. It was designated the TV-2, but was redesignated the T-33B in 1962. The Navy operated some ex-USAF P-80Cs as the TO-1, changed to the TV-1 about a year later. A carrier-capable version of the P-80/T-33 family was subsequently developed by Lockheed, eventually leading to the late 1950s to 1970s T2V-1/T-1A SeaStar. The two prototype TF-80Cs were modified as prototypes for an all-weather two-seater fighter variant which became the F-94 Starfire. A total of 6,557 Shooting Stars were produced, 5,691 by Lockheed, 210 by Kawasaki and 656 by Canadair.

Operational history[edit]

U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy[edit]

The two-place T-33 proved suitable as an advanced trainer, and it has been used for such tasks as drone director and target towing. The U.S. Air Force began phasing the T-33 out of front line pilot training duties in the Air Training Command in the early 1960s as the T-37 Tweet and T-38 Talon aircraft began replacing it under the Undergraduate Pilot Training (UPT) construct. Similar replacement also occurred in the U.S. Navy with the TV-1 (also renamed T-33 in 1962) as more advanced aircraft such as the T-2 Buckeye and TA-4 Skyhawk II came on line. USAF and USN versions of the T-33 soldiered on into the 1970s and 1980s with USAF and USN as utility aircraft and proficiency trainers, with some of the former USN aircraft being expended as full scale aerial targets for air-to-air missile tests from naval aircraft and surface-to-air missile tests from naval vessels. Several T-33s were assigned to USAF F-101 Voodoo, F-102 Delta Dagger and F-106 Delta Dart units, to include similarly equipped Air National Guard units, of the Aerospace Defense Command as proficiency trainers and practice "bogey" aircraft. Others later went to Tactical Air Command and TAC-gained Air National Guard F-106 and F-4 Phantom II units in a similar role until they were finally retired.

Military use by other nations[edit]

Some T-33s retained two machine guns for gunnery training, and in some countries, the T-33 was even employed as a combat aircraft: the Cuban Air Force used them during the Bay of Pigs Invasion, scoring several kills. The RT-33A version, reconnaissance aircraft produced primarily for use by foreign countries, had a camera installed in the nose and additional equipment in the rear cockpit. T-33s continued to fly as currency trainers, drone towing, combat and tactical simulation training, "hack" aircraft, electronic countermeasures and warfare training and test platforms right into the 1980s.

Lockheed T-33A USAF
United States Air Force Lockheed RT-33 reconnaissance plane forced down in December 1957, on display in Gjirokastër, Albania.
USAF Lockheed NT-33A

The T-33 has served with over 30 nations, and continues to operate as a trainer in smaller air forces. Canadair built 656 T-33s on licence for service in the RCAF—Canadian Forces as the CT-133 Silver Star while Kawasaki manufactured 210 in Japan. Other operators included Brazil, Turkey and Thailand which used the T-33 extensively.

In the 1980s, an attempt was made to modify and modernize the T-33 as the Boeing Skyfox, but a lack of orders led to the cancellation of the project. About 70% of the T-33's airframe was retained in the Skyfox, but it was powered by two Garrett AiResearch TFE731-3A turbofan engines.

In the late 1990s, 18 T-33 Mk-III and T-33 SF-SC from the Bolivian Air Force went to Canada to be modernized at Kelowna Flightcraft. New avionics were installed, and detailed inspection and renewal of the fuselage and wings were performed. Most of the aircraft returned in early 2001 and remain operational.

Civilian use[edit]

A limited number of T-33s have found their way into private hands; some current owners: Michael Dorn of Star Trek: The Next Generation fame, Canadair T-33.[citation needed] and northern California based Greg Colyer of the T33 Heritage Foundation who operates a Canadair CT-133 Silver Star monikered "Ace Maker". Various T-33s are based out of Wendover Airport, Utah. Kay Eckhardt has his T-33s based at Wendover they are a Blue Angels variant and a baremetal USAF version.

On 6 September 2006, Imperial War Museum Duxford's Canadair T-33 (G-TBRD), owned by the Golden Apple Trust, was destroyed in a takeoff accident;[citation needed] the crew survived. G-TBRD was the first jet warbird to be operated from Duxford, arriving in 1975; it was originally registered as G-OAHB.[citation needed]

In 2008, several T-33s in storage at CFD Mountain View, an old World War II era RCAF base south of Trenton, Ontario, were sold to various private collectors.[citation needed] Six airplanes were purchased by a newly formed museum out of London, Ontario, called the Jet Aircraft Museum (JAM), associated with the Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association, which purchased the aircraft on behalf of JAM.[citation needed] The six airplanes, formerly designated #133346, now C-FUPM; #133500, now C-FUPO; and #133573, now C-FUPP, as well as #133052, #133263 and #133441, will be flown in airshows and for memorials across Canada and in parts of the USA.[citation needed] Other T-33s have also been sold to various US and Canadian buyers.[citation needed]

In 2010, a T-33 Shooting Star owned by Boeing was used as a chase aircraft during the maiden flight of the Boeing 787[2] and Boeing 747-8

Variants[edit]

TP-80C
Original United States military designation for the Lockheed Model 580 two-seat trainer for the US Army Air Forces. Designation changed to TF-80C on 11 June 1948 following establishment of the US Air Force as a separate military service in 1947, and then to T-33A on 5 May 1949; 20 built.

US Air Force[edit]

T-33A
Two-seat jet trainer aircraft for the United States Air Force and delivery to foreign air forces under the Military Aid Program,
AT-33A
Close support variant of the T-33As fitted with underwing pylons and hard points for bombs and rockets for export.
DT-33A
This designation was given to a number of T-33As converted into drone directors.
NT-33A
This designation was given to a number of T-33As converted into special test aircraft.
QT-33A
This designation was given to number of T-33As converted into aerial target drones for the United States Navy.
RT-33A
T-33A modified before delivery as a single-seat reconnaissance variant; 85 built, mainly for export under the Military Aid Program.

US Navy and US Marine Corps[edit]

TO-1/TV-1
U.S. Navy designation of P-80C, 50 transferred to USN in 1949 as jet trainers (not technically T-33 Shooting Star)
TO-2
United States Navy designation for 649 T-33As diverted from USAF production. Two-seat land-based jet training aircraft for the US Navy. First 28 were delivered as TO-2s before the Navy changed the designation to TV-2. Surviving United States Navy and United States Marine Corps aircraft were re-designated T-33B on 18 September 1962.[3]
TV-2
Re-designation of the TO-2 after the first 28 were built.
TV-2D
TV-2s modified as drone directors, later re-designated DT-33B.
TV-2KD
TV-2s modified as radio-controlled targets, could be flown as a single-seater for ferry, later re-designated DT-33C.
T-33B
Re-designation of the TV-2 in 1962.
DT-33B
Re-designation of the TV-2D drone director in 1962.
DT-33C
Re-designation of the TV-2KD target in 1962

Canada[edit]

T-33AN/CT-133 Silver Star Mk 3
The T-33AN is a Rolls-Royce Nene powered-variant of the T-33A for the Royal Canadian Air Force; 656 built by Canadair with the company designation CL-30. Canadian military designation was later changed from T-33AN to CT-133.

Other[edit]

[4]

L-245
One Lockheed owned fuselage with a more powerful engine. Was later developed into the T2V SeaStar.

Operators[edit]

T-33 of the Belgian Air Force
Two T-33s of the Bolivian Air Force
T-33 of the Taiwan Air Force at Hsinchu Air Base 2012
A T-33 Shooting Star of the Hellenic Air Force
T-33 Portuguese Air Force
T-33 Republic of Korea Air Force
T-33 Spanish Air Force
T-33 Philippine Air Force
Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star belonging to the former Imperial Iranian Air Force (IIAF)
T-33 T-Bird of French Air Force in 1980 on the Air Base 705 of Tours
T-33 in Saudi Arabia
 Belgium
 Bolivia
  • Bolivian Air Force 34 × T-33. Still in service, the only air force in the world which still operate this aircraft
 Brazil
 Burma (all retired)
 Canada—See Canadair T-33
 Chile (all retired)
 Republic of China
 Colombia
 Cuba
 Denmark
 Dominican Republic
 Ecuador (all retired)
 El Salvador (all retired)
 France (all retired)
 Germany
 Greece
 Guatemala
  • (One is on static exhibit outside the east entrance to the Mundo Maya International Airport near Flores, restored to polished aluminum finish) (all retired)
 Honduras (all retired)
 Indonesia (all retired)
 Iran (all retired)
 Italy (all retired)
 Japan (all retired)
 Libya (all retired)
 Mexico
 Netherlands
 Nicaragua
  • Fuerza Aérea de Nicaragua FAN received delivery of four AT- 33A aircraft from the US Government after the failed Bay of Pigs invasion in 1961.Retired from service in 1979 (all retired)
 Norway
 Pakistan
 Paraguay
  • Paraguayan Air Force operated six AT-33A donated by Taiwan in 1990. The belonged to the Grupo Aerotáctico (GAT) 2nd. Fighter Squadron called "Indios". They were withdrawn from use in 1998.
 Peru (all retired)
 Philippines
 Portugal
 Saudi Arabia (all retired)
 Singapore
 South Korea
 Spain
 Thailand
 Turkey
 United States
 Uruguay (all retired)
 Yugoslavia (all retired)

Survivors[edit]

A Lockheed T-33 in Reno, Nevada in 2004

Numerous T-33s have been preserved as museum and commemorative displays including:

Albania

  • RT-33A-1-LO, 14413 (AF Ser. No. 51-04413), USAF aircraft forced to land in December 1957 at Rinas Airport (Albania) by a squadron of 2 Albanian MiG-15bis - in static display at Gjirokastra Museum -

Burma(Myanmar)

  • Unknown T-33, on static display in Armed Forces Museum(တပ္မေတာ္စစ္သမိုင္းၿပတိုက္)in Yangon .

Brasil

Canada

  • Former Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) #133346,#133500,#133573 respectively registered as C-FUPM,C-FUPO,C-FUPP restored to flying condition with the Jet Aircraft Museum, London, Ontario.
  • Former Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) #133052,#133263,#133441 under restoration to flying condition with the Jet Aircraft Museum, London, Ontario.
  • Former Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) on a plinth, Pictou, Nova Scotia.
  • First RCAF T-33 21001 purchased by Lynn Garrison in 1964 for display. Now on a plinth in Edmonton, Alberta.
  • T-33, on static display tail number 035413 at Happy Valley Goose Bay; 53.297054, -60.332373

China

Denmark

T-33A Royal Danish Air Force - Now gate guard at the Air Force Flying School
  • T-33A DT-102 #51-9102 On static display at Danmarks Flymuseum, Stauning
  • T-33A DT-104 #51-8404 In storage at Aalborg Air Force Base
  • T-33A DT-289 #580-7073 On static Display at Garnisonsmuseet, Aalborg
  • T-33A DT-491 #51-4491 On static display at Danmarks Tekniske Museum, Helsingør
  • T-33A DT-497 #51-6497 Gate Guard at RDAF Flying School
  • T-33A DT-884 #51-8884 Under restoration at Skrydstrup Air Force Base
  • T-33A DT-905 #51-8905 On static display at Gedhus museum
  • T-33A DT-923 #51-8923 In storage at Danmarks Tekniske Museum, Helsingør

Germany

Japan

Mexico

  • Various T-33s are on static display at the Mexican Air Force Museum, Mexican Army and Air Force Museum and individual air bases.

Norway

Philippines

  • T-33 on display on Philippine Air Force Museum at Villamor Air Base
  • T-33s on display at Clark Air Base and Basa Air Base in Pampanga Province.

Pakistan

Peru

  • T-33A on display at Las Palmas Air Base, Lima.

Saudi Arabia

Serbia

A retired RSAF's T-33A 364 on static display

Singapore

South Korea

Taiwan

Thailand

  • T-33A, 53-5929, on display at Royal Thai Air Force Museum, Don Muang AFB.
  • T-33A, 53-6140, on display at Chitladda Palace.

United Kingdom

United States

  • T-33A-1-LO, 51-2129? is in display at the Collings Foundation in Stow, Massachusetts.
  • T-33A-1-LO, 51-4301, is on display at Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma.
  • T-33, 51-09091, on display in Houma, Louisiana, since May 1970
T-33 in Willacoochee, GA. A T-33 crashed here ca. 1960s
T-33A, Jackson County Airport

Uruguay

  • Four unknown T-33s, on static display at:
    • Uruguayan Air Force Airbase #2 (St. Bernardina, Durazno)
    • Airbase #1 (Carrasco Intl. Airport)
    • ETA (Technical Air School)
    • Cnel. (Av.) Jaime Meregalli.Museo Aeronáutico (Air Museum)

Specifications (T-33A)[edit]

General characteristics

Performance

Armament

  • Guns: 2 × 0.50 in (12.7 mm) Browning M3 machine guns with 350 rpg (for AT-33)
  • Hardpoints: 2 with a capacity of 2,000 lb (907 kg) of bombs or rocket pods

See also[edit]

Portal icon United States Air Force portal
Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era
Related lists

References[edit]

Notes
  1. ^ Lockheed P-80/F-80
  2. ^ "787 First Flight from the chase plane." wired.com. Retrieved: 22 April 2010.
  3. ^ a b http://www.cloud9photography.us/Military-Aviation-11/Lockheed-T-33-Shooting-Star/9083252_x3RvWr/604935022_68cdD62#!i=604935022&k=68cdD62
  4. ^ Beck, Simon. "Lockheed Shooting Star Series." US Warplanes.net. Retrieved: 21 October 2011.
  5. ^ "History of the Kawasaki Aerospace Division." Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. Retrieved: 21 March 2010.
  6. ^ "Aircraft Enquiry: N109X." FAA Registry. Retrieved: 11 Mar 2012.
  7. ^ http://www.jb.mil.cn/zt/bqgc/1hao.html
  8. ^ "NASM Collections: T-33 data page". nasm.si.edu. Retrieved: 22 April 2010.
  9. ^ Wings Over the Rockies Museum, offical site
  10. ^ American Airpower Museum
  11. ^ Strategic Air & Space Museum
  12. ^ "Wood County Regional Airport History." woodcountyairport.us. Retrieved: 07 March 2011.
  13. ^ "T-33 Display." hector.govoffice.com.
  14. ^ City Of Muskogee
  15. ^ OSU Library
  16. ^ Illinois Aviation Museum
  17. ^ http://neam.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=900 "Lockheed TV-2 (T-33) 'Shooting Star'
Bibliography
  • Baugher, Joe. "Lockheed P-80/F-80." Lockheed P-80/F-80. Retrieved: 11 June 2011.
  • Davis, Larry. P-80 Shooting Star. T-33/F-94 in action. Carrollton, Texas: Squadron/Signal Publications, 1980. ISBN 0-89747-099-0.
  • Dorr, Robert F. "P-80 Shooting Star Variants". Wings of Fame Vol. 11. London: Aerospace Publishing Ltd., 1998. ISBN 1-86184-017-9.
  • Hiltermann, Gijs. Lockheed T-33 (Vliegend in Nederland 3) (in Dutch). Eindhoven, Netherlands: Flash Aviation, 1988. ISBN 978-90-71553-04-2.
  • Pace, Steve. Lockheed Skunk Works. St. Paul, Minnesota: Motorbooks International, 1992. ISBN 0-87938-632-0.

External links[edit]

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