Canadian T-33s coming to USA

[peter]

Thanks T33driver keep me posted on the video as I used to see them transit through LondonYXU all the time. Did you see anything of the tutors there as they are supposed to be stripped of spares. A t33 would be nice but nowhere to keep it. A cockpit section would be neat too!
There was talk at one time of clearing that whole area hangars included so that a purposebuilt modern facility could be built. The hangars have no heat or light i believe as they are leftovers from ww2.

[Edward Soye]

T33 Driver,

Regarding runway conditions in Mountainview they have been deterioriating, but there has been a recent change in that trend. I flew into the base in the second week on November and was surprised to see that in adddion to the planned 06/24 parallel gravel strip, they had also re-paved or re-capped the center section of 06/24 proper.

Here are some serial shots of the field with the recent work, and one on the Rwy showing the blend between new and old pavement.







Peter - I was on the field when a number of the Tutors were flown in. Some may have been delievered to Trenton, but certainly not all.

Cheers

Edward

[Edward Soye]

There was talk at one time of clearing that whole area hangars included so that a purposebuilt modern facility could be built. The hangars have no heat or light i believe as they are leftovers from ww2.

To the best of my knowledge, all of the remaining BCATP hangars are slated for demolition. The CF-5s that were parked in I believe hangar 4 for the longest time were moved outside this summer, as was the Buffalo carcass that remained in hangar 2. They do have lights, and marginal heating (the CRGS hangar and the ex-SPAR hangar do anyways).

The only plans for a new facility that I'm aware of is a new home for the Central Region Gliding School. Considering the number of canned Tutor engines they have in the one hangar where all the work is done I imagine they would need a new facility for those also. Noteworthy in terms of assessing DND's opinion of the soundness of these hangars - this one remaining work hangar recently had vertical members installed to support the header over the hangar doors.

[Edward Soye]

Regarding ejection seats, mine are disarmed. There's a compelling case for keeping them armed or not, but that's a discussion over a case of beer, or a 12 pack anyway.

Paul,

If we ever find outselves at the same show I'd be interested in contributing the beer and having that discussion. Sounds like an interesting talk.

Cheers

Edward

[peter]

I noticed that most of the planes were outside during and shortly after our 2 day dismantling in aug last year. Also last fall there were plenty more tutors outside than there were when I was there. I hope they keep one hangar as a memorial to the ww2 crews that trained there.

[T33driver]

Thanks T33driver keep me posted on the video as I used to see them transit through LondonYXU all the time. Did you see anything of the tutors there as they are supposed to be stripped of spares. A t33 would be nice but nowhere to keep it. A cockpit section would be neat too!
There was talk at one time of clearing that whole area hangars included so that a purposebuilt modern facility could be built. The hangars have no heat or light i believe as they are leftovers from ww2.

Peter,

You're quite welcome! I'm told whatever T-33s are left will be stripped of marketable parts--maybe there's a way to get a cockpit section by taking one of the hulk airframes. Yes, they are going to tear down the old WWII hangars as they are unsafe with the weight of heavy snowfall on the roofs.

[Edward Soye]

I hope they keep one hangar as a memorial to the ww2 crews that trained there.

Unfortunately, that seems unlikely. If its any consolation all of the BCATP hangars in addition to all but 4 of the other wartime structures (barracks, hospital, Ops room, etc.) still exist mabey 5 miles from Mountain View in Picton.

[peter]

That is a fantastic shot of Picton! I was hoping to be able to guo and see that old base while we were there but we ran out of time.

[T33driver]

Regarding ejection seats, mine are disarmed. There's a compelling case for keeping them armed or not, but that's a discussion over a case of beer, or a 12 pack anyway.

Paul,

If we ever find outselves at the same show I'd be interested in contributing the beer and having that discussion. Sounds like an interesting talk.

Cheers

Edward

Edward,

You're on!

[BLR]

What companies do overhauls & maintenance on the Nene 10 and who other than Lancaster can supply engine parts?

Brian....

[T33driver]

What companies do overhauls & maintenance on the Nene 10 and who other than Lancaster can supply engine parts?

Brian....

A company called Aero Turbine in Stockton CA. While I haven't asked specifically about engine parts, Dixie Air Parts in San Antonio TX and Chris Barry Aircraft in North Hollywood CA sell T-33 parts.

[Forgotten Field]

I think that is the most effective price suppressor...

What is it compared to L29 or L39, Magister, Vampire, Hunter or Provost?

Just curious, as I hear gasps from people about L-5 consumption...

[T33driver]

I think that is the most effective price suppressor...

What is it compared to L29 or L39, Magister, Vampire, Hunter or Provost?

Just curious, as I hear gasps from people about L-5 consumption...

Fuel burn on a T-33 is consistently 300 (US) gallons per hour. If you've got power pushed up for a 450 knot airshow flyby, then figure 450 gallons per hour. Up high (35,000 feet), you can get the fuel flow down to 180-200 gallon per hour. If you're able to step-climb higher you could shave a little off of that. Getting it into the stratosphere is the way to stretch it's range. Most of the time I'm below 18,000 feet doing aerobatics or formation so the 300 gal/hr rule of thumb is what I live by. Like many warbirds, the T-33 purchase $$ is just the price of admission, and in this case, buying the airplane is the "cheap" part. Other airplanes:

L-39: 150-180 gal/hr
Vampire, Mig 15/17: 300 gal/hr
Mig-21: Afterburner t/o, at 1000'/480 kts, 240 gal belly tank empty

[crystal lakes]

Hey guys
We have reengined our T-33 with a CF700 general electric rear fan engine. It has the same amount of thrust, but uses half of the fuel. Our airstrip is at 3200 ft. msl, we use about 2500 ft of runway on takeoff.
We lost almost 2000 lbs. We were able to take the 500 lbs. of lead out of the nose. It made alot better airplane out of the T-33.
regards
Mike

[peter]

What is the normal means of starting a un converted T33? I seem to remember a deep rumbling type of noise as they started up?