Wings Over The Pacific
|
|
Canadiar T-33A Silver StarLockheed T-33A Shooting StarThe T-33A had evolved from the famed Lockheed F-80 Shooting Star. Designed in 1943 the Shooting Star began flying as a prototype on January 9, 1944. Production PF-80A's had wing tip tanks, provisions for bombs, rockets, or additional fuel tanks fixed to the wings. P-80B's had stronger bulkheads, a stainless steel armoured engine compartment, more fire power, thinner wing section, and a more powerful engine. Click on the gallery to the left to see more of the T-33A On June 19, 1947 the Shooting Star set a world speed record for jet powered aircraft. 1,003.91 km/h. (623.6 mph.) A two place trainer version of the TF-80C first flew on March 22, 1948. In May of 1949 the designation was changed to T-33A. Specifications; Engine (one) Allison J33-A-35 turbojet 23.13 kN. (5,200 lbs. st.) (Shooting Star), Rolls Royce Nene 10 turbojet 22.67 kN. (5,100 lbs. st.) (Silver Star), Wing span 11.85 m. (38' 10 1/2"), Length; 11.51 m. (37' 9"), Maximum take off weight; 6,550 kg. (14,440 lbs.), Maximum level speed; 965 km/h. (600 mph.), Range; 2,165 km. (1,345 miles), Armament; (two) 0.50 inch machine guns. The T-33 first entered service with the RCAF in 1953. In total Canadair built 656 T-33's in Caritierville Quebec. The Silver Star still flies with Canadian forces today, used as a trainer, for towing target drones, sometimes skimming across the water flown against ships, it behaves much like an exocet missile.
|
Wings Over The Pacific was updated November 08, 1998 |