Current Snowbird pilots' history with my T-33

[T33driver]

On Saturday May 24th, I flew my T-33 two-ship with P-51D "Petie 2nd" to the Southern Wisconsin Airfest (Janesville/KJVL), and was really stoked to see the Canadian Snowbirds. As y'all know, my aircraft has recently returned to it's original Canadian Forces markings as it served in 439 Squadron CFB Bagotville early this decade. Halfway into the show, I walked back to my airplane to find about six Snowbird pilots standing in front of her and I greeted them warmly and added that I didn't steal it. As always with Canadian Forces personnel, they couldn't have been more friendly and enthusiastic. Turns out one of the Snowbird pilots Capt Denis Beaumont regularly flew my airplane as it is currently painted/marked when he was assigned to 439 Squadron at Bagotville!! His name was stenciled on the side of fuselage. It occured to me it might be cool (and authentic) to stencil his name back on the airplane...what do y'all think?



http://www.snowbirds.forces.gc.ca/site/team/showteam_e.asp

A number of the other current Snowbirds were former T-Bird pilots as well and it was obvious they all had huge affection for the aircraft and said they'd happily go back to flying it if they could. They were also thrilled to see it in it's proper markings and expressed appreciation for that. Capt Beaumont and the others climbed aboard the wing to get another look at their old mount and it was a truly magical moment for me to share a common bond with these gentlemen who are the best at what they do IMHO (with all due respect to the Blues and Thunderbirds). What an incredible routine they flew!! We talked T-33 flying for over an hour, shared stories, they shared some of their extensive knowledge including a few of the "gotchas" so I learned some new things about the airplane as well. Capt Beaumont kindly offered to send me a CD of the full T-33 OTU training syllabus and pilot's notes which offers in-depth info way beyond the scope of the CFTO Dash One. Finally it was time for them to get ready for the show and they offered a tour of a Tutor later which I did along with my buddy who owns T-33 133599. I admit we got a little "Tutor envy" and thoughts of owning one flashed through our heads. After the Snowbirds flew, they were busy signing autographs at the crowd line and I had to leave. As I taxied out behind them at the crowd line, they all turned around and gave me fist pumps and a few swayed their arms up and down in T-Bird worship! This has got to be one of the coolest experiences I've had since flying warbirds. Hats off the Snowbirds--truly first class guys/officers and sh*t-hot pilots!!

[retroaviation]

Now that's just oozin' with coolness! Neat story Paul!!!

Gary

[daveymac82c]

I'm glad to hear you had a nice encounter with our 'ol Snowbird guys & girls.

They certainly are first class pilots and individuals.

Cheers,

David

P.S. I'm with you on wanting my own Tutor. They are amazingly nimble airplanes. I remember watching them practice at CFB Comox many years ago and saying to myself "I want one of those."

[Jack Cook]

Paul,
Put his name on the right side and yours on the left

[Second Air Force]

Great report, T33driver.

This looks like a good place to put up some Snowbirds photos we took at Harlingen in '84--they just didn't seem to fit the CAF Pictures thread.



Anyone who hasn't had a chance to see the Snowbirds needs to do so. A fantastic Demonstration Team.
Scott

[Robbie Stuart]

Paul,
Put his name on the right side and yours on the left

I like Jack's idea Paul. That is a great story. Way Too Cool.!
Robbie

[sdennison]

Paul,
Put his name on the right side and yours on the left

My vote as well! I would even gone as far as having him sign the side of her. Just me...

[warbird1]

What an incredible routine they flew!! We talked T-33 flying for over an hour, shared stories, they shared some of their extensive knowledge including a few of the "gotchas" so I learned some new things about the airplane as well.

Wow, that's awesome Paul! What a great story. It's things like that which make operating a warbird all worth it.

IMO, yes, I think you should add his name. Besides giving tribute to him and lending authenticity, it will be an interesting conversation piece for other former CAF T-33 drivers to possibly stop and make comment to you at airshows. Remember, the aviation community is VERY small.

Here's a question about one of those "gotchas". Maybe you can verify this as correct or not. I've heard that on the T-33, there is a situation that can occur when you fly at zero or negative G's, whereby air bubbles could be introduced into the flight control hydraulic system and the flight control's will lock up. The remedy being something along the lines to hit the air brake system which will purge the system and restore control. Can you comment on this, how often does it happen, how quickly you can recover from it, etc.

Awesome story, and yes I've met several of the Snowbirds in the past. They are some of the nicest, down-to-earth, and humble display pilots I've ever met. I've never met a Snowbird who was cocky and arrogant like some other teams in North America.

[Neal Nurmi]

Another vote here for the Snowbirds as a class act. Spent some time with them and enjoyed a performance just last Wednesday at our local small town air show -- good folks...

[T33driver]

What an incredible routine they flew!! We talked T-33 flying for over an hour, shared stories, they shared some of their extensive knowledge including a few of the "gotchas" so I learned some new things about the airplane as well.

Wow, that's awesome Paul! What a great story. It's things like that which make operating a warbird all worth it.

IMO, yes, I think you should add his name. Besides giving tribute to him and lending authenticity, it will be an interesting conversation piece for other former CAF T-33 drivers to possibly stop and make comment to you at airshows. Remember, the aviation community is VERY small.

Here's a question about one of those "gotchas". Maybe you can verify this as correct or not. I've heard that on the T-33, there is a situation that can occur when you fly at zero or negative G's, whereby air bubbles could be introduced into the flight control hydraulic system and the flight control's will lock up. The remedy being something along the lines to hit the air brake system which will purge the system and restore control. Can you comment on this, how often does it happen, how quickly you can recover from it, etc.

Awesome story, and yes I've met several of the Snowbirds in the past. They are some of the nicest, down-to-earth, and humble display pilots I've ever met. I've never met a Snowbird who was cocky and arrogant like some other teams in North America.

warbird1,

The zero/negative G issue is in fact one of the "gotchas" the Snowbird pilots mentioned. You are correct that the remedy is to cycle the speedbrakes to recover hydraulic pressure. I was aware of this issue but the new factoid the Snowbird pilot let me in on is that the hydraulic pressure loss can occur up to 10 minutes after the zero/neg G condition. That be dangerous if it happens at the wrong time like the final turn or a rejoin. I was not aware of that and he said when they flew high/low combat support aggressor profiles, they'd cycle the speedbrakes before entering the low-level environment as added insurance that the hyd pressure would remain in the green. While the ailerons are the only flight control surface hydraulically boosted, they are rrrreally heavy and the airplane handling very sluggish without the boost--a real attention getter in the low-level environment no doubt. Another bit of info that really encouraged me was Capt Beaumont mentioning that when he was flying my airplane, it was remarkably reliable and never had mechanical problems. A few of the other T-Birds in his squadron did in fact have chronic problems.!

Scott,

Good idea to have him sign it somewhere with a sharpie,,, for that matter I should have gotten a group photo or something but I was pretty caught up in the moment and didn't think of it.

[Ontario-Warbird]

Great to see a t33 in Canadian colours, hats off to you Paul.

Any chance of you bringing here up here to Ontario??.

Would be great to have you lead the snowbirds in for one of their displays or maybe a heritage flight with the Harvard team and our CF18 ?

Here is the Snowbirds 2007 vid.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=x3-8YmGe4T8

Cheers Dave C

[shilo53]

I would have to assume as I am not lucky enough to do what you do, that this absolutely makes it all worth the time, effort, and money that you guys put into these awesome planes. Great story!

[T33driver]

Great to see a t33 in Canadian colours, hats off to you Paul.

Any chance of you bringing here up here to Ontario??.

Would be great to have you lead the snowbirds in for one of their displays or maybe a heritage flight with the Harvard team and our CF18 ?

Here is the Snowbirds 2007 vid.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=x3-8YmGe4T8

Cheers Dave C

Dave,

I contacted the Ottawa Air Show folks but haven't heard back.

I've wondered about the possibility of flying with some sort of RCAF Heritage Flight and would love to do it. Probably ought to look into that more...

[warbirddriver]

Hey Paul,

great to see the bird back in proper colours! Definately paint his name on one side and yours on the other. Or, if you run across others who had their name on it as well, you can start a "list" on one side as a tribute to those who have flown it in the past.

See ya at Oshkosh.

Glenn

ps If you are looking for somewhere to fly, how about stopping by Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum on father's day weekend? It's their annual open house. I currently have the TBM there.

[peter]

Paul that is an awesome story about your bird and the Snowbirds! Pity you diidnt have some pics taken but it would be great to have Denis Beaumonts name painted back on her!!