TheLockheed T-33 Shooting Star (orT-Bird) is an American subsonicjet trainer. It was produced byLockheed and made its first flight in 1948. The T-33 was developed from theLockheed P-80/F-80 starting as TP-80C/TF-80C in development, then designatedT-33A. It was used by the U.S. Navy initially asTO-2, thenTV-2, and after 1962,T-33B. The last operator of the T-33, theBolivian Air Force, retired the type in July 2017, after 44 years of service.[1]
The T-33 was developed from theLockheed P-80/F-80 by lengthening thefuselage by slightly more than 3 feet (1 m) and adding a second seat, instrumentation, and flight controls. It was initially designated as a variant of the P-80/F-80, theTP-80C/TF-80C.[2]
Design work on the Lockheed P-80 began in 1943, with the first flight on 8 January 1944. Following on theBell P-59, the P-80 became the first jet fighter to enter full squadron service in theUnited States Army Air Forces. As more advanced jets entered service, the F-80 took on another role—training jet pilots. The two-place T-33 jet was designed for training pilots already qualified to fly propeller-driven aircraft.
Originally designated the TF-80C, the T-33 made its first flight on 22 March 1948 with Lockheed test pilotTony LeVier at the controls.[3] Production at Lockheed ran from 1948 to 1959.[4] TheUS Navy used the T-33 as a land-based trainer starting in 1949. It was designated theTV-2, but was redesignated theT-33B in 1962. The Navy operated some ex-USAF P-80Cs as theTO-1, changed to theTV-1 about a year later. Acarrier-capable version of the P-80/T-33 family was subsequently developed by Lockheed, eventually leading to the late 1950s to 1970sT2V-1/T-1A SeaStar. The two TF-80C prototypes were modified as prototypes for an all-weather two-seater fighter variant, which became theF-94 Starfire. A total of 6,557 T-33s were produced: 5,691 of them by Lockheed,[4] and a further 210 by Kawasaki and 656 by Canadair produced under license.[5]
The two-place T-33 proved suitable as an advanced trainer, and it was used for such tasks as drone director and target towing. A reconnaissance version known as theRT-33A with a camera installed in the nose and additional equipment in the rear cockpit was also produced.[4] Although it was primarily intended for export, theU.S. Air Force used a single example of the type for secret overflights ofSouth Vietnam and Laos from 1961, with these flights codenamed FIELD GOAL. This lasted until the aircraft were replaced by the more capableMcDonnell RF-101 Voodoo in this role.[6]
The USAF began phasing the T-33 out of front-line pilot training duties in theAir Training Command in the early 1960s, as theCessna T-37 Tweet andNorthrop T-38 Talon aircraft began replacing it for the Undergraduate Pilot Training (UPT) program. The T-33 was used to train cadets from the Air Force Academy at Peterson Field (now Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs). The T-37 replaced the T-33 for Academy training in 1975. The final T-33 used in advanced training was replaced 8 February 1967 atCraig AFB, Alabama.[7] Similar replacement also occurred in theU.S. Navy with the TV-1 (also renamed T-33 in 1962), as more advanced aircraft such as theNorth American T-2 Buckeye andDouglas TA-4 Skyhawk II came on line. USAF and USN versions of the T-33 soldiered on into the 1970s and 1980s with USAF and USN as utility aircraft and proficiency trainers, with some of the former USN aircraft being expended as full-scale aerial targets for air-to-air missile tests from naval aircraft and surface-to-air missile tests from naval vessels.
Some T-33s retained two machine guns for gunnery training, and in some countries, the T-33 was even used in combat: theCuban Air Force used them during theBay of Pigs Invasion, scoring several kills including sinking two transport ships.
TheIndonesian Air Force received 19 unarmed T-33A in 1973 to supplant theAero L-29 Delfin trainers. Several aircraft were later rearmed with two machine guns, gunsight taken from scrappedIl-28 bombers, and bomb racks taken from retiredB-25 Mitchell. The rearmed T-33s were deployed toEast Timor for counter-insurgency strikes in 1976. Indonesian Air Force retired their T-33s in 1980.[8]
TheRT-33A version, reconnaissance aircraft produced primarily for use by foreign countries, had a camera installed in the nose and additional equipment in the rear cockpit. T-33s continued to fly as currency trainers, drone towing, combat and tactical simulation training, "hack" aircraft, electronic countermeasures, and warfare training and test platforms right into the 1980s.
In the 1980s, an attempt was made to modify and modernize the T-33 as theBoeing Skyfox, but a lack of orders led to the project's cancellation. About 70% of the T-33's airframe was retained in the Skyfox, but it was powered by twoGarrett AiResearch TFE731-3Aturbofan engines.
A Bolivian T-33 in 2013
In the late 1990s, 18 T-33 Mk-III and T-33 SF-SC from the Bolivian Air Force went to Canada to be modernized at Kelowna Flightcraft. New avionics were installed, and detailed inspection and renewal of the fuselage and wings were performed. Most of the aircraft returned in early 2001 and remained operational until the type was officially retired on 31 July 2017.[9]
On 21 June 1996, 1 T-33A-5-LO (trainer TR-602) from the Hellenic Air Force piloted by Squadron Leader Ioannis Kouratzoglou successfully intercepted a Turkish F-16C violating Athens FIR by engaging in low-altitude high-G maneuvers.[10]
A few T-33s have been owned privately, with two used by Boeing as chase aircraft. In 2010, one T-33 owned by Boeing was used as a chase aircraft during the maiden flight of theBoeing 787.[11] The maiden flight of the Boeing 737 MAX-7 on 16 March 2018 also featured a T-33 chase plane.[12] The maiden flight of theBoeing 777-9 on January 25, 2020, also featured a T-33 chase plane, taking off fromKBFI and meeting the 777-9 atKPAE, it stopped atKMWH and it took off again to chase the 777-9 on its way back to KBFI, flying around Mount Rainier before their landing.[13] On December 4, 2020, Boeing retired their T-33 Chase Planes after 66 years of service.[14] Both T-33s operated by Boeing were replaced by a singleT-38 Talon.[15] Actor and pilotMichael Dorn owned a T-33, which he jokingly referred to as his "starship".[16]
Original United States military designation for the Lockheed Model 580 two-seat trainer for theUnited States Army Air Forces. Designation changed to TF-80C on 11 June 1948 following establishment of theUnited States Air Force as a separate military service in 1947, and then to T-33A on 5 May 1949; 20 built.
T-33A
Two-seat jet trainer aircraft for the United States Air Force and delivery to foreign air forces under theMilitary Assistance Program, 5871 including 699 diverted to the United States Navy as the TV-2.
AT-33A
Conversions of the T-33A for export as a close support variant fitted with underwing pylons and hard points for bombs and rockets. Also used in the original fighter lead-in program atCannon AFB, NM approximately 1972-1975.
DT-33A
This designation was given to a number of T-33As converted into drone directors.
NT-33A
This designation was given to a number of T-33As converted into special test aircraft.
QT-33A
This designation was given to number of T-33As converted into aerial target drones for theUnited States Navy.
RT-33A
T-33A modified before delivery as a single-seat reconnaissance variant; 85 built, mainly for export under theMilitary Assistance Program.
T-33B
Re-designation of the United States Navy TV-2 in 1962.
DT-33B
Re-designation of the United States Navy TV-2D drone director in 1962.
DT-33C
Re-designation of the United States Navy TV-2KD target in 1962
TO-1/TV-1
U.S. Navy designation of P-80C, 50 transferred to USN in 1949 as jet trainers (not technically T-33 Shooting Star)
TO-2
United States Navy designation for 649 T-33As diverted from USAF production. Two-seat land-based jet training aircraft for the U.S. Navy. First 28 were delivered as TO-2s before the Navy changed the designation toTV-2. Surviving United States Navy andUnited States Marine Corps aircraft were re-designated T-33B on 18 September 1962.[17]
TV-2
Re-designation of the TO-2 after the first 28 were built.
TV-2D
TV-2s modified as drone directors, later re-designated DT-33B.
TV-2KD
TV-2s modified as radio-controlled targets, could be flown as a single-seater for ferry, later re-designated DT-33C.
The T-33AN is aRolls-Royce Nene-powered variant of the T-33A for theRoyal Canadian Air Force; 656 built by Canadair with the company designation CL-30. The Canadian military designation was later changed from T-33AN to CT-133.
Bolivian Air Force - Bolivia acquired 15 T-33AN from Canada in 1973–74, purchasing 5 more from Canada in 1977 and 18 T-33SFs from France in 1985.[23] 18 were upgraded to T-33-2000 standard in 2000–2001.[24] Retired in 2017.[25]
Nicaraguan Air Force FAN received delivery of four AT-33A aircraft from the US Government after the failed Bay of Pigs invasion in 1961. Retired from service in 1979.
Paraguayan Air Force operated six AT-33A donated by Taiwan in 1990. The belonged to the Grupo Aerotáctico (GAT) 2nd. Fighter Squadron called "Indios". They were withdrawn from use in 1998.
Peruvian Air Force operated a total of 27 T-33A delivered between 1955 and 1964, all of them formerly operated by theUnited States Air Force. They were withdrawn from use in 1981 after being replaced by theAermacchi MB-339. A single T-33A-1-LO, serial 455 (c/n 580-9889) is preserved at Parque del Aire.
WW2 Ace Dominic Salvatore Gentile was killed when he crashed in a T-33A-1-LO Shooting Star trainer, AF Ser. No. 49-0905, in Forestville, Maryland. Gentile was credited with 20 air kills during his combat tours.[citation needed]
4 August 1955
First Lt. Elmer C. Bybee (of Walden CO) and Second Lt. Conrad J. Zubalik (of Greensburg PA), US Air Force, were flying a T-33 on a training sortie out of Perrin Air Force Base (Sherman TX) when a wing snapped off during a turn. The aircraft crashed near Grapevine Lake Dam north of the Dallas-Ft Worth Airport. Both pilot trainees perished in the crash.[39][better source needed]
4 June 1957
Maj.Teruhiko Kobayashi, a flying ace of the Imperial Japanese Air Force, was flying a T-33 on a training sortie from Hamamatsu when a technical problem occurred just shortly after takeoff. He ordered his companion in the jet with him to eject. After his companion did, he tried to take control of the aircraft and attempted to land it away from any populated areas, but crashed shortly after.[citation needed]
23 December 1957
1 US T-33 flown byMaj Howard J.Curran entered Albanian airspace, alleging that he had interference requiring him to fly in Albanian airspace. He was forced to land onRinas Airport by 2 AlbanianMiG-15 flown by Anastas Ngjela and Mahmut Hysa. Major Howard J.Curran was later released but his T-33 was placed in the Gjirokastra castle museum, where it is still today.[40]
24 March 1958
Lt Col. Jacob E. Manch, a member of theDoolittle Raiders duringWorld War 2, was killed in a T-33 jet trainer accident outside of Las Vegas, NV. He ordered the second crewmember to bail out and guided his powerless aircraft over a neighborhood, that included an elementary school, avoiding potential casualties on the ground. When he finally ejected, his parachute did not have sufficient time to properly operate, and he died when he hit the ground.[41]
AChilean Air Force T-33A crewed by Sub-lieutenant Jorge Emberg and Second Lieutenant René Catalán crashed shortly after takeoff from El Bosque Air Base due to an engine failure.[42] Emberg managed to eject safely but Catalán and six people on the ground died when the aircraft crashed on the Santa Erna neighborhood.[43]
20 August 1971
On 20 August 1971, Pilot OfficerRashid Minhas was scheduled to fly a Lockheed T-33 jet trainer fromPAF Base Masroor inKarachi.Matiur Rahman, an instructor pilot,[44] saw Minhas about to take off and joined him via the instructor's seat.[45] Rahman then attempted to hijack the T-33 in midair, intending to fly the plane to India, defect, and join theBangladesh Liberation War. Minhas sent a message to control tower that he had been hijacked before being knocked unconscious. The now alerted Pakistani Air Force scrambled F-86 Sabre jets but were unable to locate the T-33. In the meantime, Rashid regained consciousness and there was a struggle between the two pilots and the plane crashed in Pakistan, 40 kilometers from the Indian border, killing both pilots; the precise cause of the crash is unknown.[46]
^Scholin, Allan R., "Aerospace World",Air Force and Space Digest, Air Force Association, Washington, D.C., March 1967, volume 50, number 3, page 38.
^F. Djoko Poerwoko[in Indonesian] (2011). "T-33A: Awalnya Bukan Pesawat Tempur" [T-33A: Originally Not A Combat Aircraft].Angkasa Edisi Koleksi. Pesawat Kombatan TNI-AU 1946-2011: Dari Legenda Churen Hingga Kedigdayaan Flanker (in Indonesian). No. 72. PT Mediarona Dirgantara. p. 56-59.
Cooper, Tom (2017).Hot Skies Over Yemen, Volume 1: Aerial Warfare Over the South Arabian Peninsula, 1962-1994. Solihull, UK: Helion & Company Publishing.ISBN978-1-912174-23-2.
Cooper, Tom; Grandolini, Albert; Delalande, Arnaud (2015).Libyan Air Wars, Part 1: 1973-1985. Helion & Company Publishing.ISBN978-1-909982-39-0.
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Japan (all retired)
