CT-133 Retirement
Wed Apr 13, 2005 11:31 am
The following article was printed in the Trentonian, April 13, 2005.
(Trentonian) Aviation era ends on 8 Wing tarmac
Ernst Kuglin
Local News - Wednesday, April 13, 2005 @ 10:00
A piece of aviation history landed at 8 Wing/CFB Trenton Tuesday afternoon.
It was the last flight of the famous T-33 Silver Star, known by air force personnel as the T-Bird.
Just before 1 p.m., Capt. Greg Castagner approached the base from the west, sending the jet into a high loop over the Bay of Quinte.
Minutes later CT-133452 softly touched down on the 8 Wing tarmac and taxied to the Aerospace and Telecommunications Engineering Support Squadron (ATESS) hangar, where the venerable aircraft will be prepared for storage, and possibly sold to another country.
The last of a long line of Silver Stars will be packaged and sent to CFB Mountain View, where it will be stored with about 140 other surplus aircraft.
The Silver Star was officially retired by the air force at the end of March.
Tuesday’s last flight was a final farewell, a flight that included stops at CFB Winnipeg and Ottawa before touching down for the last time at CFB Trenton.
“You’ll have to forgive me if I shed a few tears,’’ said Castagner, just minutes after he left the cockpit for the last time.
The pilot with the Aerospace Engineering and Test Establishment at 4 Wing/CFB Cold Lake began flying the T-33 in 1990.
“It’s beautiful, it’s a pilot’s airplane,’’ said Castagner.
“It’s a sad day, but it was a really great flight.’’
Yesterday’s retirement of the last of the T-Birds ends more than 50 years of T-33 operations by the Canadian Forces, Royal Canadian Air Force and Royal Canadian Navy.
About 656 T-33s were produced by Canadair under license from Lockheed beginning in 1951.
The T-33 was employed in the primary jet training role until supplanted in the late 1960s by the CT-114 Tutor jet trainer.
“You have to remember the flight control system was designed on a drafting board ... it was one of the first attempts at real modern technology.
“There were no on board computers,’’ said Castagner.
Castagner handed over the log book to ATESS commanding officer Lt. Col. Kirk Shaw.
“We’re a unique squadron,’’ said Shaw. “We look after aircraft from cradle to grave. This plane is historic.’’
Even though the the fleet of T-Birds received instrumentation upgrade in 1997, Castagner said pilots had to be careful not to get into what he called “unrecognizable flight characteristics. “The instrumentation panel was well lit and sometimes made night flying a challenge,’’ he said.
The Air Force acquired the first T-33 in 1950, with 20 more delivered in 1951.
The last T-33 produced by Canadair sits packaged and wrapped for surplus outside the ATTESS tarmac.
Until March 31, 2002, the T-33s served in the combat support role, simulating enemy aircraft and missiles, calibrating air defence radars and conducting a host
of other missions in support of Canada’s Air Force, Army and Navy.
Four T-33s remained in service as test support aircraft at the Aerospace Engineering Test Establishment (AETE) at 4 Wing, which is responsible for all airworthiness testing for the Canadian Forces. The T-33s were used for a wide range of missions such as aircrew proficiency, equipment calibration and flight-test support.
Lockheed produced a total of 5,691 T-33s, which have served more than 30 air forces.
In its last years, the T-Bird provided electronic warfare training and enemy force simulation to NORAD and the Navies of Canada and the U.S. The T-33 was also used for target and banner tow in air-air and surface-air gunnery, Close Air Support (CAS) and FAC training for the army.
(Trentonian) Aviation era ends on 8 Wing tarmac
Ernst Kuglin
Local News - Wednesday, April 13, 2005 @ 10:00
A piece of aviation history landed at 8 Wing/CFB Trenton Tuesday afternoon.
It was the last flight of the famous T-33 Silver Star, known by air force personnel as the T-Bird.
Just before 1 p.m., Capt. Greg Castagner approached the base from the west, sending the jet into a high loop over the Bay of Quinte.
Minutes later CT-133452 softly touched down on the 8 Wing tarmac and taxied to the Aerospace and Telecommunications Engineering Support Squadron (ATESS) hangar, where the venerable aircraft will be prepared for storage, and possibly sold to another country.
The last of a long line of Silver Stars will be packaged and sent to CFB Mountain View, where it will be stored with about 140 other surplus aircraft.
The Silver Star was officially retired by the air force at the end of March.
Tuesday’s last flight was a final farewell, a flight that included stops at CFB Winnipeg and Ottawa before touching down for the last time at CFB Trenton.
“You’ll have to forgive me if I shed a few tears,’’ said Castagner, just minutes after he left the cockpit for the last time.
The pilot with the Aerospace Engineering and Test Establishment at 4 Wing/CFB Cold Lake began flying the T-33 in 1990.
“It’s beautiful, it’s a pilot’s airplane,’’ said Castagner.
“It’s a sad day, but it was a really great flight.’’
Yesterday’s retirement of the last of the T-Birds ends more than 50 years of T-33 operations by the Canadian Forces, Royal Canadian Air Force and Royal Canadian Navy.
About 656 T-33s were produced by Canadair under license from Lockheed beginning in 1951.
The T-33 was employed in the primary jet training role until supplanted in the late 1960s by the CT-114 Tutor jet trainer.
“You have to remember the flight control system was designed on a drafting board ... it was one of the first attempts at real modern technology.
“There were no on board computers,’’ said Castagner.
Castagner handed over the log book to ATESS commanding officer Lt. Col. Kirk Shaw.
“We’re a unique squadron,’’ said Shaw. “We look after aircraft from cradle to grave. This plane is historic.’’
Even though the the fleet of T-Birds received instrumentation upgrade in 1997, Castagner said pilots had to be careful not to get into what he called “unrecognizable flight characteristics. “The instrumentation panel was well lit and sometimes made night flying a challenge,’’ he said.
The Air Force acquired the first T-33 in 1950, with 20 more delivered in 1951.
The last T-33 produced by Canadair sits packaged and wrapped for surplus outside the ATTESS tarmac.
Until March 31, 2002, the T-33s served in the combat support role, simulating enemy aircraft and missiles, calibrating air defence radars and conducting a host
of other missions in support of Canada’s Air Force, Army and Navy.
Four T-33s remained in service as test support aircraft at the Aerospace Engineering Test Establishment (AETE) at 4 Wing, which is responsible for all airworthiness testing for the Canadian Forces. The T-33s were used for a wide range of missions such as aircrew proficiency, equipment calibration and flight-test support.
Lockheed produced a total of 5,691 T-33s, which have served more than 30 air forces.
In its last years, the T-Bird provided electronic warfare training and enemy force simulation to NORAD and the Navies of Canada and the U.S. The T-33 was also used for target and banner tow in air-air and surface-air gunnery, Close Air Support (CAS) and FAC training for the army.
Wed Apr 13, 2005 10:29 pm
They truely are the Last of the Vanishing Breed! 
Thu Apr 14, 2005 7:45 am
If it wasn't for the fuel bill, we would have bought one!
another one one of Lockheed's finest
Wed Apr 20, 2005 6:55 am
Who can deny what a great airplane the T-33 is.what is also amazing about it is the haste in which the original (P-80) was designed and built.It is one of many examples of what a truely great team Lockheed had at that time,Led by the Great Mr."Kelly" Johnson.There were other teams at various U.S. manufacturers at this time who were equally as capable as Lockheed's guys were.North American Aviation,Douglas and Grumman come to mind.These guys were/ are my heros.Done with a slide rule and maybe,maybe an adding machine.Truely incredible men and machines.The fact that Neither North American nor Douglas exist(if only in name even) anymore is a darn shame .Name any aircraft built in large numbers by these 2 that failed to do what was asked of them in the years following WWII.Lets see,Two long lived examples from Douglas> A-1 skyraider, Korea- Vietnam. flew in U.S. service into the late 1960's and for S-Vietnam into the 1970's. A-26 Invader(I cant bring myself to call it B-26,because it wasnt.see Martin aviation for this info) WWII Korea Vietman.they were finally parked for good only after their way overloaded and over stressed wings started falling off North American> B-45- T-28- F-86- F-100- OV-10 Bronco- Apollo etc.etc.etc.They deserve to be remembered(atleast Grumman is still a part of the name used by the giant that consumed it.) Tim. 
Sorry for rambling a bit off of the topic but I couldnt help myself. sniff sniff sob sob, someone hand me a hankie please.
Sorry for rambling a bit off of the topic but I couldnt help myself. sniff sniff sob sob, someone hand me a hankie please.
Wed Apr 20, 2005 8:18 pm
the longevity of operational use by our canadian neighbors / friends is a true testimonial of the t-33's fabulous design & quality of manufactoring by lockheed & use into the 21st century by the canadian military. i salute both lockheed & canada!! 
regards, tom
regards, tom
Thu Apr 21, 2005 11:15 am
One of my all time favs....the Tbird...
I guess with Trenton Airshow being a nogo this year this CT-133452 will not even be able to be on Static Display
I guess with Trenton Airshow being a nogo this year this CT-133452 will not even be able to be on Static Display
Thu Apr 21, 2005 11:44 am
Hi Andrew,
I thought that I read somewhere else that it was on it's way to Mountianview.
Regards,
I thought that I read somewhere else that it was on it's way to Mountianview.
Regards,
Thu Apr 21, 2005 12:07 pm
Hopefully the RC Display/Show will happen in June at CFB MW and I will be able to see stored aircraft upclose...
I read in the paper on Monday an article about Mountainview and how a number of individuals had shown interest in purchasing airframes...how does one go ahead getting a tour of the facility with a purchase in mind..I wouldn't might have a Tutor in my backyard...
I read in the paper on Monday an article about Mountainview and how a number of individuals had shown interest in purchasing airframes...how does one go ahead getting a tour of the facility with a purchase in mind..I wouldn't might have a Tutor in my backyard...
Thu Apr 21, 2005 3:14 pm
I sent them an email..I will let you know if I get a reply...
ah yes the T-bird
Mon Apr 25, 2005 9:51 am
I remember them when they used to drop into london during their cross country flights. The ground used to shake when they started up! I also remember the last time I saw a T33 in the air was about 3 years ago the fellow was doing touch and goes and he seemed like he didnt want to land! I gave up counting after his 27th touch and go with fast climb and 90 bank turn!