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| Lockheed's P-80 Shooting Star has its own special niche in USAAF/USAF history. From it evolved a lengthened-fuselage two-seat trainer version, designated originally TF-80C. The first of these flew on 22 March 1948. In addition to the fuselage 'stretch', a second cockpit in tandem was provided with dual controls, the transparent canopy was extended to cover both cockpits and the armament of the F-80 was deleted.
A total of 128 TF-80C were built before the designation was changed to T-33A in May 1949. Adopted as the USAF's standard jet trainer, it remained in production for a further ten years. A total of 649 were also built for service with the US Navy and Marine Corps under the designation TV-2, later T-33B. Total production amounted to 5,691 aircraft (including those for the Navy): 1,058 for supply to friendly nations under the Military Assistance Program and the balance to the USAF. T-33A were also licence-built in Canada (656 as the Silver Star, with Rolls-Royce Nene engine) and Japan (210). Variants included small numbers modified as DT-33A drone directors and AT-33A armed close-support aircraft.
 | A three-view drawing (530 x 827) |
| MODEL | T-33 |
| CREW | 2 |
| ENGINE | 1 x Allison J-33-A-5, 24.0kN |
| WEIGHTS |
| Take-off weight | 5900 kg | 13007 lb |
| Empty weight | 3810 kg | 8400 lb |
| DIMENSIONS |
| Wingspan | 11.9 m | 39 ft 1 in |
| Length | 11.5 m | 38 ft 9 in |
| Height | 3.6 m | 12 ft 10 in |
| Wing area | 22.0 m2 | 236.81 sq ft |
| PERFORMANCE |
| Max. speed | 965 km/h | 600 mph |
| Ceiling | 14700 m | 48250 ft |
| Range w/max.fuel | 2150 km | 1336 miles |
| ARMAMENT | 2 x 12.7mm machine-guns |
| Joe Santee, e-mail, 23.04.2011 00:46 I was in the last class to fly the T-33 as a trainer at Laredo AFB. After our class finished training some of us flew the T-33's to various bases around the US to be used in different ways by the AF. It was a good instrument trainer for the times. Those of us who went to the back seat of the F-4 after flight school who had flown the T-33 went straight to the F-4. Those who had trained in other A /C had to get "stick" time in the T-33 before their first F-4 ride. reply | | Wm Turbo Tarling, e-mail, 18.04.2011 00:23 My father (Turbo Tarling) has 7,683 hours flying the T-33 (so far). I'm just setting up a website for him now [t33.ca] so he can archive his flying material from over the past 5 decades -- it will be a long process as he literally has thousands of photos, articles, and old home movies of his flights. Bit by bit I'm hoping to get more online for him. The T-33 has always been his favorite Bird. reply |
| John Irwin, e-mail, 08.04.2011 05:07 Transitioned from T-6 at James Connally in Waco. First flight, with Capt Don Hawkins, was 23 May 1953 in 19844. Soloed T-33 on 4 June 1953 in 19194. Went on to be a T-33 instructor at Perrin instrument school after graduation from cadet program. Most of my hours are in T-33 from 1953 through 1956. I later flew T-33 at Chambley, France for a year when I was recalled for the 2nd Berlin Crisis in 1961-1962. Best job in Europe! I flew airplane parts,VIPS, Flight Surgeon, Ground Liaison Officer, dispatches, and gave instrument refreshers to the F-84 jocks and was getting 50-60 hours a month having fun. reply | | Lindsay Lanphere, e-mail, 30.03.2011 19:19 This is probably a long shot, but I'm doing some research on my grandfather and I know the T-33 is one of the planes he used to fly. He actually had a really bad crash in one in Okanawa in 1964. His name was Merten Stroh. If anyone remembers him please contact me at cl.lanphere@gmail.com. Thank you! reply | |
| | Jim McIntosh, e-mail, 28.03.2011 10:40 Still working on the rear seat from 58-0510, most needed parts have been aquired. Trying to locate MSgt Robert L. Sisco, 510's Crew Chief at the 49th FIS. Also still looking for pictures and other unit assignments for the aircraft. reply | | Dennis Richardson, e-mail, 24.03.2011 06:39 3-23-2011 Yesterday, I went out to the Anza Borrego Desert and visited a T-33 airplane wreckage that crashed into a very rocky mountain. Does anyone know if the pilot's are still alive. The records show they both survived the crash with minor injuries.
San Diego, Ca 619-861-4262 reply | | bob, e-mail, 22.03.2011 17:38 Can anyone tell me the engine out dead stick glide ratio of the T33? reply | | uncle-mac, e-mail, 10.03.2011 20:35 Good grief! didn't we all get flight time in the T-Bird at one time or the other. Flew the bird at GMGRU-1,Barbers Pt. and Pt. Mugu in the late 50s and early 60s. Regulus-1 /and 2 Recovery. One crash on San Nick Island during Reg-2 recovery back in early 60s, Experimental Targets office. reply | | Capt. Chuck KEndrick, e-mail, 02.03.2011 04:56 I flew the T-Bird at Laredo AFB, Tx., graduated in Class 61C. Lucky enough to stay current and fly the T-33 as a secondary aircraft during my entire AF career. We could always get a T-Bird for a weekend cross-country. We got another 25 hours of instrument training in the back of the T-33 at Perrin prior to flying the F-86. Some exiting times mostly caused by my stupidity. reply | | Clancy Miller, e-mail, 25.02.2011 05:48 As a host of a radio show, called "WingTip to WingTip" on
WIZR radio in the early 60's, I gave a lot of publicity to the USAF recruiting service. As a result,the local AF recruiter arranged for me to fly back seat in a T-bird. We were the "target" for F-101's out of Griffis Air Base in Rome, NY. During the excercise in which we were "shot down" 10 times, I got to fly 3 hours in 10 minutes. With the exception of the birth of my two sons, this was the greatest moment of my life. As a student pilot with about 80 hours solo time, I found the aircraft very easy to handle. On our way back to Griffis, the field was closed, due to inclimate weather and we were directed to Ottowa, Canada. After 3 hours on the ground we headed back to Griffis where I experienced my first ILS approach. Lt. William Reese told me ahead of time that he was going to fly the approach 20 foot below the glide path. The fact that the controller continually notified us of being 20 foot below the glide path, convienced me that USAF pilots are the best in the world. I have always had a warm spot in my heart fir the T-bird reply | | LTC (Rt) Ray Burke, e-mail, 24.02.2011 13:11 Flew the T-bird at Vance AFB for four years in the early 60's. I'm 6'-3" tall and had a hard time IPing in the rear seat. Very uncomfortable. No problem in front. Great trainer. Very dependable. Very few mechanical problems. reply | | Randy Jardine, e-mail, 21.01.2011 02:02 Flew T-birds it Craig AFB, AL. Class 65G. Enjoyed it all. Traded single engine for 8 engines at Barksdale AFB, Wurtsmith AFB, Anderson AFB and Ellsworth AFB. Loved the T-bird. reply | | leroy McVay, e-mail, 13.01.2011 00:32 1953, North Island Naval Air Station, San Diego. Not too bright 2nd class petty officer put JP in the de-icing tank. Thankfully an E-3 (AN) caught it. reply | | Nolan Bailey Sr, e-mail, 11.01.2011 04:06 Dang! I must have flown an entirely different T-33A at Craig AFB, as a member of 63-G. I had no trouble keeping it in trim, and found it to be an excellent instrument ship for me. On my very first GCA approach in the bird my instructor asked me if I'd ever flown an instrument approach in a T-33. When I replied it was my first, he said "Damn, you flew that approach as well as I can." Guess he must not have been very good, right.
But, you must understand. I was practicing "integrated flight training" before the FAA decided it was the thing to do. Look outside, check instruments inside, look outside, check inside. Another instructor said that I was the best "instrument flying VFR pilot that he'd seen." Yup! Whatever works! The T-33 was A-OK.reply | |
| | Marc Feigenblatt, e-mail, 31.12.2010 01:28 Flew T-birds in AK at Elmendorf in the 80s- one of the last to do so. We were young crazy lieutenants and captains. We restored them to be able to drop bombs, take photos and developed our own canister delivery systems to drop recon photos to army commanders.
I ejected from one at Tyndall in 1981. I'm restoring an e-seat and would appreciate any help in locating parts. reply | | Ralph Goff, e-mail, 22.12.2010 13:27 Was plane capt. on T-33B at NAS Andrews AFB HQMC sub. Unit 1 Flight Line. Got to fly backseat once with Capt. Mike Blunden, USMC test pilot. Wonderful A /C. Looking for pictures of these a /C if any exist. reply | | G Byrd, e-mail, 20.12.2010 04:27 In the spring of 1956, I was in my 2nd year of AFROTC at South Carolina. We were taken to Shaw AFB and given a ride in some of the T-33s. We flew over Columbia and other areas for about 20 min. My first jet ride. I have a model of one on the shelf next to my PC. reply | | Jim McIntosh, e-mail, 15.12.2010 07:50 Restoring the rear seat from 58-0510, need a survival kit, inertia reel,shoulder harness and anything else that would help in this project. Also looking for a picture /s and unit assignments for the airplane. Any help out there? reply | | george d ward, e-mail, 06.12.2010 08:23 yup i worked on the t33 at andrews air force base 1966 67 it was just like vw bettle easyto work on the pilots would fly to flordia and bring back oranges and other friut andgive it to us nice little bird i got my training on it reply | | Dick Lethe, e-mail, 27.11.2010 18:50 I flew the T-bird in Valdosta Gs in cadet class 52Charlie. Went on to the F-94 B and C in 1952. It was my first jet aircraft. I went from the T-6 to this aircraft. I remember all the toggle switches. It was very difficult to trim, but was an easy plane to fly. reply |
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Hello I was a close friend of Ormond Haydon-Baillie from 1972 -1977. Recently I have been donating photos of that time period to Warbird Museums. Someone texted me that you were a close friend of Ormond as well, during his time in the RCAF. Ormond mentioned a number of pilots and I didn't remember their names. I still miss him after all these years. Perhaps.we could.share some photos. BLUE SKIES, Margaret
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