Lockheed CT-133 Silver Star Shooting Star T-33 T-33A CT-33
The Canadair CT-133 Silver Star (company model number CL-30) is the Canadian license-built version of the Lockheed T-33 jet trainer aircraft, in service from the 1950s to 2005.
The Canadair CT-133 was the result of a 1951 contract to build T-33 Shooting Star trainers for the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). The powerplant is a Rolls-Royce Nene 10 turbojet instead of the Allison J33 used by Lockheed in the production of the original T-33. A project designation of CL-30 was given by Canadair and the name was changed to Silver Star. The appearance of the CT-133 is very distinctive due to the large fuel tanks usually carried on each wingtip. A total of 656 CT-133 aircraft were built by Canadair.
The CT-133 entered service in the RCAF as its primary training aircraft for fighter/interceptors. The designation of the Silver Star in the Canadian Forces was CT-133.
The CT-133's service life in the RCAF (and later the Canadian Forces) was extremely long. One of the more unusual roles it played was as an aerobatic demonstration aircraft, the RCAF's Red Knight. Although the aircraft stopped being used as a trainer in 1976, there were still over 50 aircraft in Canadian Forces inventory in 1995. The youngest of these airframes was then 37 years old and had exceeded its expected life by a factor of 2.5. During this period, the Canadair T-33 was employed in communication, target towing, and enemy simulation. Wikipedia
Wikipedia Canadair CT-133 Silver Star
CASPIR Aircraft Groups:
RCAF Owned (687) RCAF Leased (10) RCAF 400 Squadrons (149) Canadian Crewed (195) RCN (6) Canadian Museum (2)Silver Star 3AT/PT 21057
Received at Flying Instructors School RCAF Station Trenton Aug 1953. To 1 Pilot Weapons School RCAF Station MacDonald May 1955. Central Flying School RCAF Station RCAF Station Trenton Aug 1957. The first Red Knight, received special markings in 1958. Coded "SU*057" in first season, a Central Flying School code. First public performance at the CNE air show in July 1958. To Central Flying School RCAF Station Saskatoon July 1959. Aug 1959 converted to Pilot Trainer. Made 40 public displays in 1960. To 2 Advanced Flying School RCAF Station Portage la Prairie Nov 1960. Crashed during a special performance for visiting NATO dignitaries at RCAF Station Gimli, Manitoba on 21 August 1963. Flight Lieutenant R.Morin killed.1953-08-26 Taken on Strength per record Card 2022-06-09
1963-08-21 Crashed 2022-04-08
1963-08-27 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07