700 (City of Edmonton) Wing Royal Canadian Air Force Association is joining many other aviation groups and organizations to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the RCAF in 2024.
700 Wing events and projects will reflect on the RCAF’s rich history and achievements, celebrate the work the RCAF is currently doing, and inspire Canada’s aerospace tomorrow.
The CT-33 Silver Star served with distinction in the RCAF from 1953 to 2005 and was used by several of Canada’s allies. Initially, the RCAF ordered 576 aircraft, but eventually a total of 656 were delivered between 1952 and 1959.
The T-Bird, as it became known, was ubiquitous in Canada and was used in a variety of roles by numerous RCAF squadrons, until being de-commissioned in 2005.
Like the CF-18 Demonstration Hornets, 351’s specially designed scheme mixes the nostalgic memories of the RCAF with the empowering brute force of the modern era of jet flight.
This T-Bird (RCAF serial number 21351) is one of 700 Wing’s projects for celebrations. It is their principal project for engagement with the public in commemorating the 100th anniversary of Canada’s Air Force and at the same time raising funds for the Kipnes Centre for Veterans.
The Kipnes Centre has requested support to be able to increase the number of school and youth group visits to the centre to recognize and celebrate the invaluable contributions of veterans and to ensure that they are not forgotten.
Background
The Canadair CT-133 Silver Star is the Canadian licence-built version of the Lockheed T-33 jet trainer aircraft, in service from the 1950s to 2005.
The Canadian version was powered by the Rolls-Royce Nene 10 turbojet, whereas the Lockheed production used the Allison J33.
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.
This press release was prepared and distributed by 700 (City of Edmonton) Wing Royal Canadian Air Force Association.
