Converting a T-33 to a P-80 Question

Eric Friedebach · **Posted:** Thu May 11, 2006 11:08 pm

A little sheet metal work to cover up the aft cockpit and an 80 canopy for the quick way.

How much detail is needed? Are you talking about chopping a couple of feet off the fuselage?

O.P. · **Posted:** Fri May 12, 2006 2:15 am

Hi Rob!

I think you might have to lose about four feet of fuse and get a different nose and canopy.

Just thinkin, if you have a T-33, thats cool. But if you gotta spend dough to redo it, it might be worth looking into getting a P-80.

T33's are the most undervalued warbirds in my mind. (Old rant coming here). There are P80's out there sitting on poles, rotting in yards, ect. Maybe a trade is in order. Just thinking.

I don't have a problem with anyone cutting a T-33, but if you got to spend any money to do it, might as well look around for a P-80. Even if the "money" is volunteer time, I'd still look around.

Anyway, however it works out, it's cool that another one (T-33/P80) will be around for awhile longer.

Two cents,
Orvis

mjanovec · **Posted:** Fri May 12, 2006 12:59 pm

O.P. wrote:

T33's are the most undervalued warbirds in my mind. (Old rant coming here). There are P80's out there sitting on poles, rotting in yards, ect.

I sure wish I had a T-33. For me, that would be a dream warbird jet. Nice performance...and a second seat to take someone along for the ride.

But even an undervalued T-33 is still probably too expensive for my modest budget. :cry:

But I can still dream...

ThinkingManNeil · **Posted:** Fri May 12, 2006 2:19 pm

There was a pic in one of Mike O'Leary's books about jet warbirds some years back of a T-33 to P-80 project that was abandoned unfinished. I think when it comes to undoing the kind of modification that went into making the T-33 to start with (eg., the fuselage plug) you're talking major surgery to make it look right and do it justice.

N.

RMAllnutt · **Posted:** Fri May 12, 2006 2:21 pm

Hi Rob,
You might try asking John Seidtz. He has a T-33 tail section listed on his Forgotten Field website.

http://www.astory.com/aircraft/airframe/3094.JPG

Cheers,
Richard

ThinkingManNeil · **Posted:** Fri May 12, 2006 2:23 pm

I would also hazard a guess that there are still one or two P/F-80's left rotting away on some Central or South American airfields somewhere.

Lynn Allen · **Posted:** Sat May 13, 2006 7:43 am

Dick Bejane, Spelling??, sorry had one for sale for a while. He owns the P-51 This Is It... It was in Trade-A-Plane a few years back.

Cheers,

Lynn

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Converting a T-33 to a P-80 Question

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