Lockheed T-33

1948

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Lockheed T-33

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.

3-View 
Lockheed T-33A three-view drawing (530 x 827)

Specification 
 MODELT-33
 CREW2
 ENGINE1 x Allison J-33-A-5, 24.0kN
 WEIGHTS
  Take-off weight5900 kg13007 lb
  Empty weight3810 kg8400 lb
 DIMENSIONS
  Wingspan11.9 m39 ft 1 in
  Length11.5 m38 ft 9 in
  Height3.6 m12 ft 10 in
  Wing area22.0 m2236.81 sq ft
 PERFORMANCE
  Max. speed965 km/h600 mph
  Ceiling14700 m48250 ft
  Range w/max.fuel2150 km1336 miles
 ARMAMENT2 x 12.7mm machine-guns

Comments1-20 21-40 41-60 61-80 81-100 101-120 121-140
DANIEL WHITE, e-mail, 31.07.2009 08:40

I have a warehouse full of T-33 and lockheed F-104 parts if anyone has any interest in purchasing. Alot of new and old parts and components. Located near Whiteman airport in San Fernando, Ca

reply

Franca Dona, e-mail, 17.04.2009 17:24

Dearest Friend PLEASE READ CAREFULLY AND GET BACK TO ME

I crave your indulgence at this mail coming from somebody you have not known
before. I decided to do this after praying over the situation. You should please
consider the transaction on its content and not the fact that you have not known
me before. I need not dwell on how I came by your contact information because
there are many such possibilities these days.

I would like to introduce myself as Mrs. Franca Donna of Republic of Benin,
widow to Late Mr. Sheik Donna (for Consular of the Benin embassy in Madrid,
Spain. I have been recently been diagnosed of Cancer of the Pelvic. I am writing
from my sick bed in a CHINESE HOSPITAL here in Benin Republic.

There is this fund US$29.5 Million cash my husband deposited with a Security
Company here in Cotonou, Republic of Benin of which I am the next of kin. With
my health condition and because my husband, I have no child, I am looking for a
credible person to whom I will pass the right of next of kin. This person will
apply to the Security Company and request for the change of beneficiary.

This is on the condition that you will take 25% of the fund for yourself, 5%
used for expenses, while you will use the remaining 70% for the less privilege
people in the society. This is in fulfillment of the last request of my husband:
that a substantial part of the fund be used to carter for the less privileged.

If this condition is acceptable to you, you should contact me immediately with
your full names and contact information so that I will put you in contact with
the Security Company directly for the change of beneficiary of the money. I
cannot predict what will be my fate by the time you will receive the fund, but
you should please ensure that the fund is used as l have described above. I look
forward to your response.

Best Regards
Mrs. Franca Donna.

reply

Jock Williams, e-mail, 16.04.2009 08:34

On 414 Sqn RCAF we had at the most I believe 14 CF100s and 18 T33s. Our squadron callsign was "Yogi #"

I chose to be Yogi 13 because I was not superstitious and no one else would take the number.

40 years later it seems to have had no ill effect!

Any other "Yogis" out there?

Jock Williams

Yogi 13

reply

Jock Williams, e-mail, 07.04.2009 17:41

I have almost 2000 hrs in the T33 -beginning in 1967 and ending in 1987 -and I would love to acquire another 2000 if they were not so expensive to operate as civilian aircraft. Several sit at airports that I land at regularly -but none are flying.
My first 85 hrs or so on the TBird were as a student -and at first it was a bit challenging after flying the Tutor -but it quickly became "second nature" and I am sure I could climb into one today and fly it without difficulty.
After I got my wings in 1967 it was always only a "second aircraft" for me -with the primary one being the CF100, CF5 or CF104 -and eventually the Falcon 20 and the Challenger. Nonetheless -for pure aviation pleasure and reliability you cannot beat the T33. It took me home for a lot of wonderful weekends with a succession of equally wonderful girlfriends spread around North America! (It was a different Air force in those days!)

Jock Williams

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Frank Teurlay, e-mail, 27.03.2009 05:51

I see that Butch Owens (9-5_2008 Posting) was crew chief for Gen Woodrow P Swancutt. Would like to hear from him. Am doing rsearch and looking for people who knew the General.

reply

George W. Callahan, e-mail, 13.03.2009 23:20

I was a crew chief at Chaumont AFB, France (1952-1955) and crewed F-84s - F-86s and the best T-33s before I was discharged. I miss them.

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Samuel Montaño, e-mail, 09.03.2009 21:13

El avión T-33 ha sido uno de los mejores entrenadores de la historia. En que año Japón empezó a producir el T-33?
Gracias.

reply

Bill Yarnall, e-mail, 28.01.2009 06:50

Worked T-33s at Myrtle Beach AFB SC 75-79 and Elmendorf AFB AK 79-82. EAFB T-birds painted with Imron, beautiful paint scheme with Black Widows on tip tanks. Had a whole lot more than 3 TOs. Great site

reply

William Steely, e-mail, 09.09.2008 06:17

What a great site. I flew the T-bird (class of 57A, Webb AFB, then BIS at Craig, and instructed them at Laredo AFB, returning to civilian life. Many many fond memories of practically every flight. If I started writing more, it would become a book....so will stop here.

reply

Ben Thurston, e-mail, 18.08.2008 19:32

I had the pleasure of flying the NAS Atlanta station aircraft, a T-33B 137956, on 08 /26 /1971 from NCQ round robin via TYS and BNA and the ROJOS jet penetration to NCQ. This was an orientation flight, had to turn the hydrolic boost off in order to keep the wings level for the first few minutes of flight. Once I got used to the aircraft, it flew like a dream.

reply

Mel Mendelsohn, e-mail, 05.07.2008 18:49

FLEW 115 HOURS IN BASIC AT LAREDO AIR FORCE BASE CLASS 60-D JUNE TO NOVEMBER 59. FUN AIRCRAFT TO FLY.

reply

Jerry J. Smith, e-mail, 26.05.2008 22:09

Got 115 hours in the T-33A as a student pilot, Class 60-G, at Laredo AFB, TX from October 1959 to May 1960.

reply

George Klet, e-mail, 12.08.2023 Jerry J. Smith

Jerry:
If you are still around and convenient for you I would appreciate a telephone call to 979-229-1103. I was at Laredo AFB in class 59-F, beginning September 1958. Got question for you!
Thanks.
George Klett

reply

Butch Owens, 09.05.2008 06:23

I was crew chief on T-33A 56-0580 at Turner AFB, GA 1962 - 1965. I was personal crew chief for 822 Air Division Commander, Brig Gen Woodrow P. Swancutt. Liked the aircraft. The crew chief did it all except radios and some electrical. There were only 3 Technical Orders on this aircraft. 1T-33A-1 (Flight Manual), 1T-33A-2 (Maintenance Manual) and 1T-33A-4 (Illustrated Parts Breakdown). In contrast Lockheed's C-130 Aircraft has over 800 Tech Orders.

reply

Dave Corley, e-mail, 29.04.2008 04:38

Basic training Aviation Cadets---class 56-I
Fun airplane to fly---first thing to learn is to not lock the nose wheel (cocked 90 degrees)---Great memories.

reply

Nikos J. Farsaris, e-mail, 08.12.2007 22:52

There was a also a single-seat conversion to recon roles known as RT-33A (back seat was mooved for extra avionics and phootographic equipment). It served in Hellenic Air Force before and alongside early RF-84 Thunderflashes.
njf

reply

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