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Dutch Profile Lockheed R/T-33A
Authors: Tim van Kampen – Coen van den Heuvel – Luuk Boerman
Publisher: Dutch Profile
ISBN: 978-94-90092-48-1
Published 2023
71 pages
Price: about 17,- euro
The Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star (or T-Bird) is a jet-powered training aircraft designed by the American aircraft manufacturer Lockheed, which built the aircraft from the late 1940s to the late 1950s. This successful and reliable aircraft, of which more than seven thousand planes were built, served in the air forces of more than eighty countries over time, including the Royal Netherlands Air Force (KLu). In 2015, the Canadian-built version was still used by the Bolivian Air Force.
Worldwide, a few dozen T-33s are still in airworthy condition; Often these aircraft are now privately owned. The remaining are displayed in museums or as "gatekeepers".
The T-33 was a further development of the Lockheed P-80/F-80. By lengthening the fuselage, the space was freed for the placing of an extra seat, instruments, and double controls. The first flight with the aircraft - then known as T-33A - was made in 1948, after which the aircraft was produced from 1948 to 1959.
The U.S. Navy used the aircraft from 1949 under the designation TV-2 trainer and renamed it T-33B from 1962.
The RT-33A reconnaissance version was used mainly for export and was equipped with a nose camera and additional equipment in place of the second seat.
From August 1952 to June 1972 the T-33 served with the Royal Netherlands Air Force (KLu) where it was known as the T-bird.
At the time, the T-33 was provided free of charge to various NATO countries, including the Netherlands, as part of the Mutual Defense Aid Program. A total of 60 T-33As and three RT-33As were delivered to the Royal Netherlands Air Force (KLu).
In August 1952 the first aircraft for the Base Flight were delivered from Volkel Air Base – better known as the Fighter Flying School II – the later 313 Squadron. The end of the T-33 at the Royal Netherlands Air Force came on June 9, 1972, when the M-11 of the TVO made its last official flight. In the meantime, 313 Squadron had already switched to the Canadair NF-5. In addition to the standard T-33A, the KLu also used some RT-33A photo reconnaissance aircraft from 1953 with the 306 (photo reconnaissance) Squadron. However, when the RF-84F Thunderflash entered service, the photographic equipment was discontinued and introduced as a single-seater at 313 Sqn.
The T-33 has served in the KLu with the following units:
Basic Flight Volkel/Fighter Flight School II,
306 Squadron,
313 Squadron,
fighter flight training (JVO),
Transition Flight Training (TVO)
This Dutch Profile about the (R)T-33A takes you back to the early 50's when the T-Bird was introduced into the Royal Netherlands Air Force, with a brief description of the development of the aircraft. In those early days, the aircraft still flew with the two-digit TR registration. though the M-registration was already carried on the tailplane under the flag. The different units are discussed, and the Wolfhounds also swing by with the red-white-blue tail.
An important part are the two demo teams, the Skysharks with their shark teeth and the more famous Whisky Four.
The Klu also received the RT-33A, a photo reconnaissance, no less than 3 aircraft! Fun fact: They were also often used for donor flights where organs were transported domestically and abroad. The cool box with the organ was then placed on the seat in the rear cockpit. They were allocated to nr. 306 sqn.
Of course, the photos are an important part of this Dutch Profile. No less than 112 photos, thirty-four of which are in color. Luuk Boerman again provided the six pages with color profiles. The T-33 has been used by many air forces worldwide. At the end of this issue, you will find a brief note with some color photos from other users. This edition is also bilingual, Dutch and English.
Conclusion
I only know the T-33 from its last years and always thought it was a beautiful aircraft with all that dayglow (just like the Beaver), This Dutch Profile gives me the story of the T-Bird in the service of the KLu. With great pleasure I looked at the "pictures" sometimes familiar, but also many not. A nice addition to the series of Dutch Profile.
Thanks to Dutch Profile for making it available for a review.
Reviewer : Fred Bachofner
TIP: also check out our IPMS.NL NedMil articles about the T-33 here...
this review was published January 2024 by M. de Vreeze, IPMS NL webmaster