Warbird Information Exchange

What was the defining factor in your decision to own your particular warbird? i.e. Family member flew one in the war, financial, love its looks etc.

My T-6 is a logical progression in flying skills and cost on the way to a fighter. My last warbird was a Stearman, my next????

Always wanted a P-40 or a Corsair first but when you are signing the loan papers at a young age (for me 27 in 1989) the P-51 is the best choice. Most parts availability, dual control trainers available, (Stallion was just starting in 1989 if I remember correctly but there were others) and a lot of people to ask advice. Also it had a very defined appreciation rate which I tracked by collecting Trade a Planes since the early 70's. Can't beat the sound and the looks plus for the Mustang it is easier to find like kinds for formation flying since there are so many of them compared to the other types.

While there were combination of factors that went into me buying a T-33--it suited my military flying background, not a widowmaker, reasonable acquisition and maintenance $$, only needs approx 4000' runway...the defining factor was a childhood dream. Though I'm certain aviation was in my blood from birth, my first exposure to it was my dad's Kodachrome slides and photo album of his USAF flying stint. My father flew in T-33s in the USAF among other aircraft in the early to mid 1950s and he had models of a T-33 and the F-89 in his study. I used to sneak in and play with that 1/4 scale super shiny alumi-plated ?? (modelers, help me out here) T-33 model and daydream about piloting the shiny jet. I was immediately smitten by the classic, smooth lines of the T-33, my dad had a history flying it (I had pictures of him strapped in it) and so it became one of my favorite airplanes probably for some of the same reasons Grace Kelly is one of my favorite actresses--though dad didn't have a history with her. I had a picture of a Canadair T-33 among a few of dad's "hero shot" photos under the glass of my briefing table at USAF Undergraduate Pilot Training. The T-33 pic was an ad from Trade-a-Plane of all things! As life brought me the good fortune to acquire a warbird, I had a soft spot for the T-33, they were availabe and reasonably supportable so it was a no-brainer for me. So, to make a short answer long, the defining factor above others, was a childhood dream.

Paul, I noticed that you mentioned a shiny T-33 caught your eye. I've also noticed that yours isn't very shiny. Maybe the WIXers could start a fund and send you a couple of cases of Flitz to rectify this obviosly accidental oversight on your part!

WIXers would of course require periodic posts with photos to monitor your progress.

Rick,

I wouldn't beg for Flitz donations, but if I stripped the paint and went high-polish, I'd need a legion of detailers to help me polish it on a regular basis! When I first got the airplane, I thought about stripping it and shining it up ala 1950s USAF--really I like that look the best, but my warbird/aircraft owner buddies staged somewhat of an intervention and said I was nuts since it'd be so much work to keep it up. I haven't ruled it out in the future...

The polish job on the Udvar-Hazy T-33 is one of the best I've ever seen. Of course it doesn't fly, which helps, and apparently there is one volunteer who has apparently dedicated himself to keeping the T-33 and the B-307polished.

Paul - most of us jet warbird enthusiasts are just happy that you have this wonderful T-33 to share with us on occasion at air shows.

But maybe someday a polished aluminum finish with some appropriate bright red/orange or yellow markings/mid-late 1950s style USAF livery.......

Jim C.

Jim,

That's exactly what I was thinking--strip/paint it to match the T-33s in my dad's early to mid 1950s Air Defense Command squadron--arctic scheme that had bare polished aluminum base with red tip tanks and half-red wings and all red tail.

Paul - Perfect - that would be Outstanding! - I love those Bright Red USAF Arctic Red marking from the late 40s and 1950s era. A real tribute to your Dad and the Air Defense Command Cold War Veterans of the 1950s in their F-86Ds, F-89s, F-94s and other aircraft.

Jim C.

Didn't a very highly polished T-33 painted up in that scheme recently (Within the last three to four years) have a fatal crash? I remember seeing it at Offut and marveling at how striking it was...not to mention the pains the owner must have endured keeping it so flawless.

Polished airplanes = cool but are way too much work to maintain!!!

John

Yes, that was a friend of mine, Dan Lavigna who was tragically killed in the crash of his T-33 N99192 near Santa Clarita CA shortly after takeoff from Van Nuys in November of 2003. I suspect that's the one you're thinking of...very sad.

If someone is doing their own restoration, a particular skill set may be a factor as well. Dope & fabric/woodworking vs. sheet metal/hydraulics.

EDIT:
Hey Paul, if you do decide to go “natural”, a flexible shaft polishing machine would be your best friend. I actually used one on a T-33 a long time ago.

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Thanks for the tip Eric!

Hey Paul,

I had an idea, what not have both paint schemes? Your present T-bird looks nice. WHy not check your dad's logbooks and get all the serial numbers of the actual T-33's he flew? One of them might still be out there. YOu could drag it home and polish it up and have it in the hangar next to the Canadian T-bird. How cool would that be?
An acquaintance, Maj.Gen Fred Womack, USAF ret. told me that when he became vice commander of ATC, about 10 years ago, they re-checked him out in the T-37 and T-38. To his surprise one of the aircraft was one he had first flown in 1967!!
One of yor dad's may still be out there!!