Were Spain T-33's ex USAF?

[Nathan]

Just curious if the T-33's used by the Spanish AF were ex-USAF birds that were transferred, or if Lockheed built and sent them?

Thanks,
Nathan

[rcaf_100]

I would say they were transferred, going by the history of this T-33:
https://www.facebook.com/T33aShootingSt ... 933539653/

[Chris Brame]

All the T-33s I've found that went to Spain were listed as transferred; they all had USAF serials.
However, check out this photo from millionmonkeytheater.com's T-33 listings:

T-33A-5-LO s/n 57-652
*4/1958: Transferred to the Spanish AF as E.15-38.
---
*3/12/1985: Withdrawn from use, as the last flying Spanish T-33.
Sure doesn't look like there were any markings stripped off. Many of the planes that were transferred have no previous U.S. history listed; maybe they were delivered new this way?

[LysanderUK]

I don't have any kind of difinitive answer, but it's worth mentioning that many of the military aircraft operated by European air forces in the 50's and 60's were funded by the USA, and were therefore US property. Here in the UK we have something of a glut of Mysteres, T-33's and a few others because the respective air forces handed them back to the USAF at the end of thier service, often delivering them to a USAF base in England. One of the ways the USAF disposed of them was to invite UK museums to come and get one, and ofcourse a number of small museums with only memorabilia and wreckage on display were only too happy to have a complete airframe for virtually free, even if something like a Mystere had no real relevance.

[mlenoch]

LysanderUK: Are there actually T-33s remaining in storage in the UK? Would parts be available from some source in the UK? Thank you. VL

[JohnB]

The fact they had USAF serials doesn't mean anything.
If it was paid for with USA money, it would have a serial, regardless of whether it actually served in the USAF.

[LysanderUK]

LysanderUK: Are there actually T-33s remaining in storage in the UK? Would parts be available from some source in the UK? Thank you. VL

To be honest I think this stuff was all disposed of one way or another, what didn't go to museums ended up being used for BDRT or put out as targets on bombing/gunnery ranges, or scrap. This was back in the 70's and early 80's, so I'd imagine it's all now long gone. A substantial number of both Mysteres and T33's ended up on the ranges at Spadeadam in northern England (right up against the Scottish border) whilst others were used as targets in W Germany.