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Canadiar T-33A Silver Star
Lockheed T-33A Shooting Star
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The 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.
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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.
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| 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. |
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