Warbird Information Exchange

This stock/original Lockheed T-33A is being regenerated to fly in Wilmington NC after sitting idle for 15 years and will be based in the Tulsa OK area. If the weather and final maintenance checks cooperate, a fellow WIXer will be ferrying it soon. All it needs is a polishing party!

Sweet! Is it going to be on the airshow circuit?

Ryan

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Aerial Photographer with Red Wing Aerial Photography currently based at KRBD and tailwheel CFI.
Websites: Texas Tailwheel Flight Training, DoolittleRaid.com and Lbirds.com.

The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD. - Prov. 21:31 - Train, Practice, Trust.

That's a very nice looking T-Bird.

I'd help you with polishing if I was nearby. Maybe it's because I was an Air Cadet way back and had to polish my boots all the time, but I really enjoy the act of polishing. You can practically use the same technique on an airplane as you use on a boot. Then again, using a power buffer is much easier.

Peace,

David M

Thanks for sharing, Paul! That's a great looking T-33 (love the markings/paint scheme) and it's nice to see one of the original Lockheed built models being restored. Keep us posted on when it flys and I hope maybe we see it at Oshkosh next July (and maybe at Thunder Over Michigan in 2012 if they do the Korean War/F-86 Gathering theme).

Question for you Paul - Kay prefers the Silverstar version for the power - what are your thoughts? This is of course sheerly for the enjoyment of flight - not worrying about "proper restorations"

Tom P.

Tom,

I agree with Kay--I prefer the Rolls Royce poweed Canadair T-33 with more power. Additionally, the Rolls engine start is a non-event since it's an almost automatic process, whereas starting the J33 you're a bit of a one-armed paper hanger toggling and releasing various switches and really having to manage the process carefully to prevent an overtemp or tailpipe fire.

I don't know what the new owner of this Lockheed jet plans to do in terms of air show attendance but I'll try to find out. The aircraft will initially be ferried from Wilmington NC to Rockford IL for further restoration work before going to the Tulsa area. I'll provide updates.

Nice! More photos please. Was she stored in a hanger for those 15 idle years or outside?

-Derek

with enough notice, I'd be glad to pick up some polish and a rag.

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documenting restored B-17s and those undergoing restoration to flight:

I don't know the answer to that. Here's a few more pics.

Paul,

Just thinking out loud here. How many T-33's could possibly come to Manitowoc next year? Curt and I were talking and there seems to be a few around the area these days correct?

I think it would be neat to see how many we could potentially see at one time.

This year at EAA was awesome to see, but I know of a few close to home ones that rarely fly.

It would be nice to see the Waukegan one fly too....

-Andy

It's nice to see a true T-33 going to fly. There are more CT-33/133's flying then the USA T-33. Hope they keep her in those markings they look great!

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Andy,

You can count on our two Canadian T-Birds and likely Big Dog's aerobatic T-33 act. He's been a fixture at that show for 18 years or so but I don't know if he's confirmed for 2001 or not. There are a few more relatively close to Manitowoc as you mentioned and it'd be possible to get a couple more to MTW.

SWEET, love the T-33s, it's great to see one getting back into the air. thanks for the update!

Congratulations T 33 driver.....
Could you provide some info on the I/D of this nice T-bird? (registration and former service serial)
I imagine there are more WIX-ers who would be interested in this...
Hope she flies soon!
Aerovet

Current US civil registration N939NA, serial number 56-3689. Weather and mechanical gods permitting, she'll be ferried to Rockford IL December 7th for additional restoration and maintenance.